Description
Crispy cheddar Ritz cracker chicken blends savory cheese and buttery crackers into a mouthwatering dinner classic. Midwestern home cooks have perfected this simple yet irresistible recipe that brings comfort and satisfaction to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups (about 1 sleeve or 180 grams) crushed Ritz crackers
- ½ cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 375°F, positioning rack in the center to ensure uniform heat distribution for optimal crispiness.
- Coating Creation: Pulverize Ritz crackers into fine crumbs, incorporating garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to develop a robust, flavorful breading that will transform the chicken’s exterior.
- Dredging Process: Whisk eggs in a shallow vessel, then meticulously coat each chicken piece by first dipping in the egg wash, allowing excess to drain, and subsequently pressing into the seasoned cracker mixture to achieve complete, even coverage.
- Baking Setup: Arrange the fully coated chicken in a 9×13-inch baking dish, strategically placing butter cubes around the pieces to infuse moisture and promote a golden, crisp crust.
- Roasting Stage: Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, tracking the internal temperature until it reaches 165°F, while the exterior transforms into a gloriously bronzed, crunchy exterior.
- Finishing Touch: Retrieve the chicken from the oven, let it rest momentarily, then lavish with the melted butter from the baking dish to amplify its richness and succulence before serving.
Notes
- Cracker Coating Technique: Crush Ritz crackers finely for maximum crispiness, using a rolling pin or food processor to create uniform, small crumbs that adhere perfectly to chicken.
- Egg Wash Pro Tip: Pat chicken dry before dipping to help cracker mixture stick better and prevent soggy coating. Use cold eggs for more consistent coverage.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature, ensuring it reaches 165°F without overcooking. Let chicken rest 3-5 minutes after baking to retain juicy texture.
- Dietary Adaptation: For gluten-free version, swap Ritz crackers with gluten-free alternatives like crushed cornflakes or gluten-free crackers. Consider using almond flour for low-carb option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg