Description
Ritz Cracker Chicken is a simple and comforting baked dish featuring tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a golden, buttery crushed Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe delivers a crispy texture without frying, enhanced by mild seasonings like garlic powder and paprika. It’s a kid-friendly, versatile meal that can be easily customized to suit various tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 30 crackers)
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the baking dish: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature while you prepare your ingredients. Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Crush the Ritz crackers: Place the crackers in a large sealable bag and crush them into fine crumbs using a rolling pin or pulse briefly in a food processor. Mix the crushed crackers with melted butter, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
- Prepare the chicken breasts: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to help the coating adhere better. Season both sides lightly with salt and pepper.
- Coat the chicken: Press each chicken breast firmly into the cracker mixture, ensuring every side is well coated. Press the crumbs on gently to create an even crust.
- Bake until golden: Place the coated chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the crust is crispy and browned.
Notes
- Even coating: Use your hands to press the crumbs firmly onto the chicken, so the crust stays intact while baking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: Leave space between chicken breasts to allow the heat to circulate and the crust to crisp evenly.
- Let rest before serving: Allowing the chicken to rest for a few minutes after baking locks in juices and keeps it tender.
- Use fresh crackers: Fresh, unstale Ritz crackers create a lighter and more flavorful crust.
- Check doneness with a thermometer: Avoid overcooking by aiming for 165°F internal temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with coating
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Ritz Cracker Chicken, baked chicken, crispy chicken, kid-friendly chicken, easy dinner, weeknight chicken, crunchy chicken crust