1. Prepare the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a large baking dish or sheet with cooking spray or olive oil.

If your chicken breasts are thick, slice them in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets. This ensures even cooking. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.

2. Set Up the Breading Station

Prepare three shallow bowls:

• Bowl 1: Add the flour.
• Bowl 2: Whisk together the eggs and milk.
• Bowl 3: Combine the shredded cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, and cayenne pepper.

3. Bread the Chicken

Working with one piece at a time, dredge the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated, and then press it firmly into the breadcrumb-cheese mixture, coating both sides evenly.

Place the breaded chicken on the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts.

4. Bake the Chicken

Drizzle the melted butter evenly over the chicken pieces. This helps the coating become golden and crispy.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden brown and crispy.

If you’d like extra crispiness, switch the oven to broil during the last 2–3 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.

5. Serve and Garnish

Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges for a bright, tangy finish.

Pair your crispy cheddar chicken with your favorite sides and enjoy!