Ritz Cracker Chicken

Crispy Ritz Cracker Chicken is a kid-approved, 30-minute dinner recipe that makes weeknight cooking a breeze. These juicy, tender chicken breasts are topped with crumbled, buttery Ritz crackers and seasoned with garlic!

Looking for more easy chicken dinners that come together in a flash? Try my MIYM Chicken or my Chicken and Noodles!

Buttery Baked Ritz Cracker Chicken

Today I’m coming back to you guys with another chicken dinner. We eat a lot of chicken around here… it’s just so easy, versatile, and quick. This Ritz Cracker Chicken recipe checks all of those boxes, plus the ones labeled “picky-eater-approved” and “instant family favorite,” for good measure.

Why is that? Let me paint you the mouth-watering picture. It all starts with chicken breasts that are coated in crunchy Ritz cracker crumbs and a simple seasoning mix. Next, all of this is thrown into the oven to bake to buttery perfection. The final result is tender, juicy chicken with a wonderfully crispy exterior that you can serve with practically any side dish you like!

So, now you see why I’m so excited to share this classic baked chicken recipe with you. A crispy chicken dinner that comes together in 30 minutes, without using the fryer? Sounds like a win to me!

What Makes Chicken with Ritz Crackers So Good?

Okay, so there might be a couple more details to add to that picture! In addition to the fabulous taste, I love making Ritz Cracker Chicken because it:

• Pairs with Everything: Want to add pasta? Sounds good. Rice? Roasted vegetables? Those will work too. Check out the servings section below to get some more suggestions on possible side dishes!
• Can Be Customized: I like to keep it simple with garlic powder, but you can definitely play around with Italian seasoning, paprika, or other spices if you want.
• Comes Together Quickly: I know, I already mentioned this part… but it’s so key! It takes literally 10 minutes to prep the chicken, and then all you have to do is wait for it to come out of the oven.

What You’ll Need

On to the ingredients! There’s not much to discuss here, as there are only a couple of things to round up for this crispy chicken dinner. Also, be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below to find the exact amounts for each ingredient.

• Chicken Breasts: I like to use lean, boneless chicken breasts, pounded to approximately half an inch in thickness to ensure that they cook evenly. You could also use chicken thighs if you prefer.
• Eggs: The beaten eggs will bind the seasoned cracker crumbs to the chicken while it bakes.
• Ritz Crackers: Crushed crackers give the chicken its ultra-crunchy exterior. Feel free to switch up the cracker type if needed (you could also use Saltines, for example).
• Butter: Baking your chicken with cubed butter makes it turn out incredibly tender and flavorful. You could use salted or unsalted butter, either kind works!
• Seasoning: Like I mentioned above, I just add in salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Simple, but tried and true!

How to Make Ritz Cracker Chicken

Whipping this Ritz chicken together is (say it with me) SO easy. There are two basic stages to this recipe: coating the chicken and baking it. This is the step-by-step breakdown:

• Mix the Coating Ingredients: After you preheat the oven, mix together cracker crumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
• Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the chicken breasts, then pat them dry. To coat them, dip each piece in the egg mixture and evenly cover them with the crumbs.

• Bake: Place your chicken breasts in a 9×13 baking dish, scatter cubed butter around them, and bake for 25-30 minutes.

• Enjoy: That’s all! Feel free to spoon extra butter on top of your chicken if you like.

Tips for Success

As you can see, this chicken with crushed crackers is pretty much foolproof, but there are a couple of tips and tricks that are worth mentioning:

• Adjusting for the Thickness of the Chicken: I like to buy already trimmed chicken that is sliced thin when I make this. You don’t have to… BUT if you use thicker chicken breast, you’ll have to adjust the bake time.
• How to Know When the Chicken is Done: When the juices run clear, you’ll know that the chicken is done. It’s always a good idea to use a meat thermometer, though, and ensure that the internal temperature has reached at least 165F.
• Substitutes for Eggs: If you don’t have any eggs, or would rather make the recipe without them, you can use mayonnaise or sour cream to bind the coating to the chicken.
• Use Shallow Bowls for the Seasoning and Egg Wash: It’s a lot easier to evenly coat the chicken if you use shallow bowls.

Serving Suggestions

Now that you’ve got the main course squared away, it’s time to pick a side. Here are a few of my go-to options:

• Rice or Pasta: Serving this chicken over a simple bed of rice is the easiest option, but you can also make a side of Buttery Lemon Spaghetti, or pasta with tomato sauce, etc.
• Salad or Veggies: Any green veggie will pair nicely with this meal, or you could make a light salad.
• Mashed Potatoes: Who doesn’t love Mashed Potatoes? If you’ve got a little more time on your hands, I highly recommend mixing some together!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

If by some chance you have leftovers for this meal, here’s how to store and reheat everything:

• To Store: Keep any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days once it has cooled.
• To Reheat: When you’re ready to enjoy some more crispy chicken, reheat it in the microwave for 30 seconds to a minute, or in the oven (at about 350F) until warmed through.

Can I Freeze Ritz Cracker Chicken?

Sure! Ritz Cracker Chicken can be frozen in an airtight container for 2-3 months. Once thawed, follow the same instructions to reheat.

More Easy Chicken Dinners

On the lookout for simple chicken recipes that the whole family will love? Check out these ones:

• Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken
• Homemade Chicken Nuggets
• Creamy Chicken and Rice
• Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
• Easy Peanut Ginger Chicken

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