Description
Crispy and flavorful, this Cereal Crusted Chicken recipe turns simple chicken breasts or tenders into a crunchy delight using crushed cereal as a coating. Baked or air fried to golden perfection, it’s a quick and easy meal perfect for families or gatherings, offering a fun twist on traditional breaded chicken.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
Coating
- 4 cups cereal (cornflakes, crispy rice, or Chex), crushed
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Binding Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
For Cooking
- Cooking spray or oil (for baking or air frying)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- Prepare coating stations: In one shallow bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs and milk until well combined. In a third bowl, place the crushed cereal, ready for coating.
- Prepare chicken: If using whole chicken breasts, cut them into strips or nugget-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and coating.
- Coat chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the seasoned flour mixture to create a dry base.
- Egg wash: Dip the floured chicken pieces into the egg and milk mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
- Cereal coating: Thoroughly coat each dipped piece in the crushed cereal, pressing gently to make the cereal adhere well.
- Arrange for cooking: Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet or into the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the tops with cooking oil to promote browning.
- Cook: For baking, cook in the oven for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For air frying, cook for 12–15 minutes, flipping once, until crisp and fully cooked.
- Serve: Allow the chicken to cool for a few minutes before serving. Pair with your favorite dipping sauces for added flavor.
Notes
- Choose your preferred cereal among cornflakes, crispy rice, or Chex for varied flavor and texture.
- For extra crispiness, ensure the chicken pieces are coated evenly and pressed firmly with the cereal.
- Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness—internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on oven or air fryer model.
- Lightly spraying with oil helps achieve a golden, crispy crust without deep frying.
