If you’ve visited Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort, chances are you’ve spotted the iconic Planet Hollywood restaurant. Now, you can create one of the restaurant’s most famous dishes at home.
That’s right! Grab a box of Cap’n Crunch cereal on your next grocery shopping visit to recreate Planet Hollywood’s World-Famous Chicken Crunch. These hand-breaded chicken tenders with a crunchy, sweet coating are headed to your kitchen!
This Captain Crunch chicken is unlike anything else you have tried. It is quick and easy to make with all the flavors!
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
Captain Crunch Chicken
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
- Step 1: 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.
- Step 2: 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.
- Step 3: Place the cereal crumbs in a bowl and add bread crumbs, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Step 4: Place the cereal crumbs in a bowl and add bread crumbs, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well.
- Step 5: Coat each piece of chicken in the cereal crumb mixture.
- Step 6: 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.
- Step 7: For the Sauces: Mix ingredients together and let chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is in Planet Hollywood’s Creole mustard dipping sauce?
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.
What can I serve with Captain Crunch chicken?
My kids especially like to make them with our potato wedges and some carrot sticks or cucumber slices for a dinner of finger foods.
Can I use a different type of cereal?
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.
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
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!
How do I prevent the coating from falling off during frying?
Following the step-by-step instructions in the recipe card will ensure that your chicken will be successful!
Can I use bone-in chicken?
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.
Interested in More Disney Recipes?
From a yummy Dole Whip recipe to a Yummy Chick-fil-A Sauce, these recipes will transport you to the Disney Parks and movies. Check out Disney foodie favorites on our recipe page!
This post originally appeared on Favorite Family Recipes.
