This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
This Captain Crunch chicken has a delicious savory sweet crunch and a flavor unlike anything else you have tried. It is quick and easy to make with all the flavors!
Featured with this recipe
- Ingredients for Captain Crunch Chicken
- Homemade Creole Mustard Sauce
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- How to Make Oven Baked Captain Crunch Chicken
- Ways of Making Captain Crunch Chicken
- Tips for the Best Captain Crunch Chicken
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Storing Easy Captain Crunch Chicken
- More Copycat Recipes to Love
- How To Make Captain Crunch Chicken
- Captain Crunch Chicken Recipe
Captain Crunch cereal was always a favorite of mine as a kid, and the idea of it breading chicken was so intriguing! It did not disappoint. The coating on the chicken is crunchy yummy and bursting with flavor. On the inside, the chicken is moist and tender.
The sweet honey mustard sauce balances out the flavors of the chicken perfectly. We also sometimes like to dip the chicken in fry sauce. It also makes a great appetizer for having friends over to watch your favorite team play.
Ingredients for Captain Crunch Chicken
This recipe for crunchy chicken is a real kid-pleaser, my daughter couldn’t get enough of them! Kids love the lightly sweet crunchy flavor of this chicken and tangy dip. This chicken is a meal the whole family will love again and again.
- Chicken breasts – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are best to cook with this chicken recipe. Cut the chicken pieces lengthwise about one inch thick.
- Buttermilk – The buttermilk and egg mixture will give you a
- Egg – You are making an egg wash that will coat the chicken tenders to help the cereal mixture stick and hold onto the chicken while it is baking.
- Captain Crunch cereal – You will want the cereal to be thin and breadcrumb-like in texture. Use a blender, or food processor, or crush them in a bag to get the full effect.
- Panko breadcrumbs – Already thin and crushed, the breadcrumbs will be mixed with the cereal and coated on the chicken.
- Wondra flour – This is a type of flour that is instant and allows the mixture to not clump. It has a smooth texture that helps the chicken stick to the cereal and cook internally.
- Seasoning – Onion powder and garlic powder combined to give you a great flavor.
Homemade Creole Mustard Sauce
It just takes two ingredients to make the best sauce to dip the chicken in. It is a tangy and sweet mixture that pairs well with Captain Crunch chicken. Mix ingredients and let chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving.
- Dijon mustard – Grey Poupon Dijon mustard has a smooth texture with a sweet and savory mustard flavoring.
- Mayonnaise – Has a creamy texture and tangy flavor.
Honey Mustard Sauce
Have you made homemade honey mustard sauce?! This is just what you need to start dipping! It is a sweet and savory sauce that is perfectly paired with this Captain Crunch chicken.
- Mayonnaise – Creamy ingredient that adds a tangy flavor.
- Dijon mustard – Adds a savory and strong flavoring to the sauce.
- Yellow mustard – Bright coloring and has a sour and tart taste that combines well with the other condiments.
- Honey – Add a little sweetness to help balance the flavors to this favorite dipping sauce.
How to Make Oven Baked Captain Crunch Chicken
Preparing the chicken is simple, making the cereal mixture is quick, making an egg wash is a breeze, and assembling the chicken is perfection! These steps are so easy to complete and come together in less than an hour. You will love this quick and easy dinner for your family!
- Prepare chicken – Use a kitchen mallet or rolling pin to flatten each chicken breast to about one inch thick. Cut each chicken breast lengthwise into four to six long slices to make the chicken strips.
- Dipping – Place chicken in a bowl, cover with buttermilk, and marinate for several hours or overnight.
- Blend – Using a food processor or blender, crush the Captain Crunch cereal into crumbs. You can also place the cereal into a resealable plastic bag, squeeze out all the air, and roll over it with a rolling pin until the cereal is crushed into crumbs.
- Combine – Place the cereal crumbs in a bowl and add bread crumbs, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Whisk – Remove chicken from the buttermilk marinade and set aside. Whisk one egg into the remaining marinade. Add the chicken back in and stir well.
- Coat – Take each piece of chicken and coat each piece in the cereal crumb mixture.
Ways of Making Captain Crunch Chicken
Choose the best way to cook your Captain Crunch chicken! These cooking variations will give you all the same results with different ways of cooking it. It is simple and quick depending on the appliance you prefer to use!
- Deep Fry Method – Fill a deep fry pan with 2 inches of vegetable oil. Heat to 375 degrees. Fry each chicken strip for 4 to 6 minutes or until golden brown. When fully cooked, place each chicken strip on a paper towel or rack to drain the oil.
- Air Fryer Method – Preheat the air fryer to 350. Spray each side of the chicken strips with a little bit of cooking spray. Cook at 350 for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Bake – Lightly grease a baking sheet or pan and place all the chicken in it. Bake the Captain Crunch chicken at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally.
- Skillet – Add a small amount of oil in a large skillet and cook on medium heat. Cook the chicken on each side for three to four minutes in the hot oil.
Tips for the Best Captain Crunch Chicken
Follow these tips when making Captain Crunch chicken! These tips will help make the experience and recipe so much better!
- Crushing – Make sure that the cereal is crushed into a fine texture. This will ensure the texture stays on the chicken best.
- Seasoning – Add additional flavoring to the seasoning by using paprika or other flavor combinations that you prefer. Add spices and herbs to your liking!
- Double dipping – Make it extra crispy by double dipping the chicken into the mixture.
- Press the chicken – When adding the cereal, press the cereal and coating onto the chicken. This will bond and keep the chicken and cereal combination before cooking.
- Let rest – After preparing the chicken and dipping the chicken into the Captain Crunch mixture let the chicken rest before cooking. This will help the cereal mixture stick.
- Meat thermometer – Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached the internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
“This was great! I used the exact ingredients and fried it in my “Mac Fry.” The texture of the chicken came out crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. Mine must have been really thin because they cooked in less than two minutes. My entire family of seven ate it which is saying a lot.”
-Tanya
Frequently Asked Questions
It isn’t known exactly what is in Planet Hollywood’s sauce. We keep ours simple with Dijon mustard and mayonnaise, but some people put horseradish in there for a spicy kick.
My kids especially like to make them with our potato wedges and some carrot sticks or cucumber slices for a dinner of finger foods.
Sure! Captain Crunch is a classic and the best choice but using cornflakes or Chex mix is also a great option if you need to substitute the main ingredient.
First, pan-fry the chicken to add a crispy outside, then add it to the oven to bake. This will give you the same results as frying the chicken!
Following the step-by-step instructions in the recipe card will ensure that your chicken will be successful!
For even cooking and cooking the chicken properly with this recipe, it is best to stick to boneless, skinless, chicken breasts.
Storing Easy Captain Crunch Chicken
Place leftover Captain Crunch chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for three to four days. When ready to heat, place in the microwave or the oven to heat until warmed through.
Read More: 35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love
More Copycat Recipes to Love
If you like copycat restaurant recipes, you are in luck! We have a big selection of restaurant favorites from sit-down dining, to quick service, to fast food selections that you have got to check out.
How To Make Captain Crunch Chicken
Captain Crunch Chicken
Video
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 2 cups Captain Crunch cereal
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup Wondra flour
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- vegetable oil
Creole Mustard Sauce:
- 2 Tablespoons Grey Poupon dijon mustard
- 3 Tablespoons mayonnaise
Honey Mustard Sauce:
- 3 Tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
Instructions
- Use a kitchen mallet or rolling pin to flatten each chicken breast to about 1 inch thick. Cut each chicken breast (lengthwise) into 4 to 6 long slices to make the chicken strips. Place chicken in a bowl, cover with buttermilk, and marinate for several hours or overnight.
- Using a food processor or blender, crush the Captain Crunch cereal into crumbs. You can also place the cereal into a resealable plastic bag, squeeze out all the air, and roll over it with a rolling pin until the cereal is crushed into crumbs.
- Place the cereal crumbs in a bowl and add bread crumbs, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Remove chicken from the buttermilk marinade and set aside. Whisk one egg into the remaining marinade. Add the chicken back in and stir well.
- Coat each piece of chicken in the cereal crumb mixture.
- Deep Fry Method: Fill a deep fry pan with 2 inches of vegetable oil. Heat to 375 degrees. Fry each chicken strip for 4 to 6 minutes or until golden brown. When fully cooked, place each chicken strip on a paper towel or rack to drain the oil. Air Fryer Method: Preheat the air fryer to 350. Spray each side of the chicken strips with a little bit of cooking spray. Cook at 350 for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- For the Sauces: Mix ingredients together and let chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving.
I’m allergic to dairy products. What can I substitute for the buttermilk?
You could mayo or dairy free milk mixed with a little lemon juice or vinegar.
Just tried this last evening. I took Donna’s advice and put some of the seasonings in the buttermilk. Nice touch. To keep it crunchy, place on a wire rack. Placing fried foods on paper towels will steam the crust and will make it less crunchy. Next time I will try boneless skinless thighs
Great ideas, thank you for haring your wire rack idea! Definitely trying that next time!
I wonder how this would work in an air fryer?
We have an air fryer option for cooking this in the recipe!
For the cereal do you use all of it or do you leave out the crunch berries?
No crunch berries. You can get plain cereal without the crunch berries so you don’t have to pick it out. They even have a variety that you can get at Winco in their bulk bins without the berries. Hope this helps!
thank you for this post ..i love it!
when you put in buttermilk, put seasoning in buttermilk, then your chicken absorbs the seasoning. fresh herbs work real well. i have tried other coatings and lots of other cereals work also. as long as you are relaxed and cook with love your dinner or anything comes out great. also use friends family, and neighbors as testers. just have fun.!!!!!
Thank you so much for your comment – I agree 100%
This was great! I used the exact ingredients and fried it in my “Mac Fry.” The texture of the chicken came out crispy on the outside, moist on the inside. Mine must have been really thin because they cooked in less than two minutes. My entire family of seven ate it which is saying a lot.
what is fry sauce please let me know thank u
Fry sauce is kind of a regional thing in Utah and Idaho. It’s basically ketchup and mayonnaise mixed together. Some people get all fancy and add a tiny bit of mustard or BBQ sauce too. You can customize it however you want. All proportions are “to taste”. Start with a big blob of ketchup and add mayo until it’s nice and light pink and creamy. Yummy!
In the receipe, does it have to be Wondra flour or is that just a name brand? Can it be just regular flour?
Wondra flour is just a lighter flour that makes it extra tasty… regular flour would work OK though!
Just made this its amazing. I only let it marinate in the buttermilk for 2 hours because I decided to make it last minute, but its still so good. My twins love it! Thanks for the recipe!
Do you think it could be made in a healthier way-baking it??
Now I know what to make with all of that Cap'n Crunch cereal I got for cheap at Smith's!
Great recipe!!! I made this for dinner tonight and everyone loved it (which for my picky family is saying a lot!!!) Thanks!
I tried this many years ago and it is so good! I had totally forgotten about it though until now. Thanks for sharing this great recipe!