Description
Crispy Ritz cracker chicken brings Southern comfort to dinner tables with its golden, crunchy coating and juicy interior. Home cooks can savor this quick, satisfying meal that delivers classic flavor and irresistible texture in every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (around 226 grams) crushed Ritz crackers
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Fat/Butter:
- ½ cup (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
Instructions
- Preheat the kitchen oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, creating an ideal cooking environment for the crispy chicken preparation.
- Transform Ritz crackers into a fine, textured coating by crushing them thoroughly in a shallow mixing vessel, blending with aromatic garlic powder, mineral salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Whisk eggs in a separate container until uniformly combined, creating a smooth adhesive layer for the cracker mixture.
- Carefully immerse each chicken breast into the whisked eggs, allowing excess liquid to cascade off, then meticulously press the moistened protein into the seasoned cracker mixture, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coverage.
- Select a rectangular baking dish and strategically position the cracker-encrusted chicken pieces, arranging small cubes of rich butter around the perimeter to enhance moisture and flavor during roasting.
- Transfer the prepared dish into the preheated oven, allowing the chicken to transform for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the exterior develops a golden-brown crisp and the internal temperature reaches a safe 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Extract the baking dish from the oven, letting the chicken rest momentarily to redistribute internal juices, then elegantly plate and drizzle the melted butter from the cooking surface for an extra layer of richness.
Notes
- Select high-quality chicken breasts with similar thickness to ensure even cooking and crispy coating.
- Pat chicken completely dry before coating to help the breading adhere perfectly and create a crunchier texture.
- Crush Ritz crackers into fine, consistent crumbs for the most uniform and crispy exterior.
- Use unsalted butter to control the dish’s overall saltiness, especially since Ritz crackers already contain salt.
- Experiment with different herb combinations like dried thyme or rosemary to customize the flavor profile.
- Check chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer for guaranteed food safety and perfectly cooked meat.
- Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes after baking to retain maximum juiciness and allow the coating to set.
- Transform this recipe into a gluten-free version by substituting Ritz crackers with gluten-free crackers or crushed cornflakes.
- Create a low-sodium variation by using reduced-sodium crackers and omitting additional salt in the coating mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 457
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 882 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg