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Ritz Cracker Chicken

Ritz Cracker Chicken
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Ritz Cracker Chicken is a quick, delicious, and comforting baked chicken dish featuring tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a golden, crispy Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes, offering a buttery, crunchy texture with customizable flavors that appeal to the whole family.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Coating

  • 2 cups Ritz crackers, crushed finely
  • 4 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which helps the cracker coating stick better. If the breasts are thick, slice them horizontally to create even pieces that cook uniformly.
  2. Crush the Ritz Crackers: Place the Ritz crackers in a plastic bag or food processor and crush them until you have fine crumbs with a few small chunks for texture. In a shallow bowl, combine the cracker crumbs with garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and optional Parmesan cheese.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Brush melted butter on one side of the chicken breasts, then press the buttered side firmly into the cracker mixture ensuring an even coating. Flip and repeat to coat the other side if desired for extra crispiness.
  4. Bake to Perfection: Arrange the coated chicken breasts on a greased baking sheet or in a baking dish, buttered side up. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the crust is golden brown and crispy.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken to ensure even cooking and prevent drying out.
  • Don’t skip the butter; it is key to achieving the signature crunchy, golden crust.
  • Crush crackers finely but leave some texture for a better crunch and mouthfeel.
  • Check the thickness consistency of chicken breasts and pound them evenly if needed to avoid uneven cooking.
  • Let the chicken rest a few minutes before slicing to retain its juices.
  • For a spicy twist, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the cracker mixture.
  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free crackers or crushed gluten-free cereal.
  • To make dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan margarine.
  • Extra Parmesan cheese can be added inside the crust or sprinkled on top before baking for more indulgence.

Nutrition

Keywords: Ritz Cracker Chicken, crispy baked chicken, easy chicken dinner, crunchy chicken recipe, family-friendly chicken

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/ritz-cracker-chicken/