For Fried Chicken With 10x The Flavor, Grab This Iconic Cracker

I love fried chicken. Be it buttermilk, Nashville hot, Korean, or one of the many varieties found around the globe, a tray of juicy fried chicken brings joy and comfort to dining tables far and wide. (Try to prove me otherwise.) And while the chicken itself is important, the coating is quintessential to the end result. The choice of which starch used to coat fried chicken can be somewhat polarizing (everyone has their favorite), but traditional breadcrumbs can easily be swapped for all kinds of crunchy alternatives, from cereal to crackers, giving fried chicken a whole new dimension of flavor and texture. 

And crackers have long stood the test of time in the kitchen. Cheez-Its can do more than satisfy a snack craving — crushed into crumbs, the cheesy snacks can be crumbled over retro casseroles or  used as croutons in salads. They also make a mouthwatering coating for fried chicken, adding an irresistibly crunchy crust with a bold, cheesy bonus. (Not to mention, they give the crust a beautiful orange hue.) It's a genius hack that can be applied to tenders or drumsticks.

The method is foolproof. Start by pulsing or blending one box of Cheez-Its to a fine consistency, then coat the chicken as you would for traditional fried chicken: Dip each piece in an egg wash, dredge in flour, dip in the egg wash again, and finish with the Cheez-It crumbs, pressing gently to help them coat evenly. Deep-fry, air-fry, or bake the chicken until cooked through and golden brown, then pair it with hot honey or your favorite dipping sauce of choice. Making a big batch? Transfer the flour and Cheez-It crumbs to separate paper or plastic bags and shake the chicken pieces to coat, making quick work of the dredging process.

I personally find that the reduced-fat variety of Cheez-Its are a little crunchier in general, but for a fried chicken coating I would opt for the original due to its higher fat content. You can also switch up the flavor profile depending on which Cheez-It variety you use. Give your fried chicken a kick by using Hot & Spicy or Buffalo Wing varieties, or give it a subtle smoky flavor by using Smoked Cheddar or Smoked Gouda. Each brings its own personality to the coating, so there's plenty of room to experiment.

There are a number of spices you can add to further amplify your cheesy crunch. Give it some heat with smoked paprika, some tang with ground mustard, or a sharp, zesty flavor with Old Bay seasoning. Add your favorite powdered ranch seasoning for a tangy, herby kick that pairs especially well with the cheesy crust — Ranch dressing for additional dipping optional.