Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures the chicken will cook evenly and achieve a lovely golden color. Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Take each chicken breast and cut it into three equal pieces. Setting these aside allows for even cooking and easy bite-sized pieces later.
In a food processor, pulse the Ritz crackers into fine crumbs. This will be the crunchy coating that makes our chicken so irresistible. Place these crumbs into a bowl for easy access.
Next, pour the whole milk into a separate bowl. This will serve as our moisture base, helping the crumbs adhere to the chicken.
In another bowl, add the grated cheddar cheese. You’ll want to have this ready to coat the chicken after dipping it in the milk.
Mix the salt and pepper into the cracker crumbs. This is where you’ll infuse flavor into the coating.
Now, dip each piece of chicken into the milk, making sure it's well-coated. Then, roll it in the cheese, pressing down gently to ensure it sticks.
Finally, roll the chicken in the cracker crumbs until it's thoroughly coated. This will give you that amazing crispy texture.
Place the breaded chicken into your prepared baking dish. Make sure to arrange them in a single layer for even cooking.
Sprinkle the top of the coated chicken with the dried parsley for a touch of color and flavor. Cover the dish with tin foil to keep moisture in while baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s cooked through.
While the chicken is baking, prepare the sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, butter, and sour cream until heated through and smooth. This sauce will elevate your dish even further.
Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the oven, and serve the warm cream sauce over the chicken. Enjoy the delightful flavors of Crispy Cheddar Chicken!
