Get ready to transform your weeknight dinners with this unbelievably delicious Ritz Cracker Chicken recipe. This isn’t just another chicken dish; it’s a golden, crispy, and incredibly juicy masterpiece that your entire family will request again and again. We’re talking about tender chicken breasts coated in a savory, buttery Ritz cracker crust and baked to absolute perfection. The magic lies in its simplicity—using just a handful of pantry staples, you can create a meal that tastes gourmet but is secretly one of the easiest recipes you’ll ever make. It’s the perfect combination of comforting flavor and satisfying crunch.
Why This Ritz Cracker Chicken Recipe is a Must-Try
If you’re looking for a recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, you’ve found it. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights, yet impressive enough to serve to guests. The buttery Ritz crackers create a uniquely crispy crust that seals in the chicken’s natural juices, ensuring every bite is tender and moist.
- Incredibly Easy: With simple steps and common ingredients, this recipe is perfect for cooks of all skill levels.
- Family-Approved: The savory flavor and crunchy texture are a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults.
- Quick & Convenient: From prep to plate in under 40 minutes, it’s the ideal solution for a hectic schedule.
- Versatile Dish: It pairs beautifully with a wide variety of side dishes, from vegetables to pasta.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Ritz cracker chicken bake is its straightforward ingredient list. You likely have most of these items in your kitchen already.
- Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness for consistent cooking.
- Ritz Crackers: The star of the show! Their unique buttery flavor creates the perfect crust.
- Sour Cream: This acts as the binder that helps the cracker crumbs adhere to the chicken and adds a touch of moisture and tang.
- Butter: Melted butter is mixed with the cracker crumbs to create that signature golden-brown, crispy coating.
- Seasonings: A simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper is all you need to perfectly flavor the chicken.
How to Make Ritz Cracker Chicken (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple instructions to achieve a flawless, crispy chicken dinner every single time.
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking. Prepare your chicken breasts by pounding them to about ½-inch thickness—this ensures they cook evenly.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Season both sides of the chicken breasts generously.
- Prepare the Coating: Place the Ritz crackers in a zip-top bag and crush them into coarse crumbs using a rolling pin or mallet. You want some texture, not fine dust. Pour the crumbs into a shallow dish and stir in the melted butter until evenly combined.
- Coat the Chicken: Spread a thin layer of sour cream over all sides of each seasoned chicken breast. Then, press each piece firmly into the buttery cracker crumbs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Bake to Perfection: Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer in your prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
Pro Tips for the Crispiest, Most Flavorful Chicken
Want to take your Ritz Cracker Chicken to the next level? Follow these expert tips for guaranteed success.
- Don’t Pulverize the Crackers: For the best texture, crush the crackers into coarse crumbs. A fine powder won’t give you that signature crunch.
- Ensure Even Thickness: Pounding the chicken to a uniform thickness is the most important step for juicy, evenly cooked results.
- Don’t Crowd the Pan: Arrange the chicken in a single layer with a little space between each piece. This allows hot air to circulate, ensuring the coating gets crispy all over instead of steaming.
- Pat Chicken Dry: Before seasoning, always pat your chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. This helps the seasonings and sour cream adhere properly.
Fun Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is fantastic on its own, it’s also a great canvas for experimentation. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Cheesy Ritz Cracker Chicken: Add ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese to the cracker crumb mixture for a savory, cheesy kick.
- Spicy & Smoky: Mix in a ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper and a full teaspoon of smoked paprika with your seasonings for a fiery twist.
- Herb-Infused: Add 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning or dried parsley to the cracker crumbs for a fresh, herbaceous flavor. For something different, try making these delicious Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken and Veggies.
What to Serve with Your Chicken
This versatile chicken pairs well with almost anything. For a classic comfort meal, serve it with a side of creamy mashed potatoes and some crispy air fryer green beans. It’s also fantastic alongside a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or a scoop of hearty Southern Macaroni Salad.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
To keep your leftover Ritz Cracker Chicken tasting its best, proper storage and reheating are key.
- To Store: Allow the chicken to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- To Reheat: For the best results, reheat the chicken in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. This method helps re-crisp the cracker coating. We advise against using a microwave, as it will make the coating soggy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can definitely use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They are naturally juicier, so you may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time. Always cook to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To maintain crispiness, reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for 10-15 minutes. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the coating soggy.
For the crispiest coating, ensure your cracker crumbs are coarse, not fine. Also, make sure to press the crumbs firmly onto the chicken and arrange the pieces in a single layer in the baking dish without overcrowding them.
No, traditional Ritz crackers contain wheat, so this recipe is not gluten-free. To make a gluten-free version, you would need to substitute the Ritz crackers with your favorite gluten-free crackers.
If you don’t have sour cream, you can use plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise as a binder. Both work well to help the cracker crumbs adhere to the chicken and keep it moist.
The Ultimate Ritz Cracker Chicken Recipe
Ritz Cracker Chicken: The Ultimate Crispy & Juicy Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with the mixture.
- In a shallow dish, combine the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter. Mix well.
- Spread a thin, even layer of sour cream over all sides of each seasoned chicken breast.
- Press each sour cream-coated chicken breast firmly into the cracker crumb mixture, ensuring a full coating on all sides.
- Place the coated chicken in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (reaches an internal temperature of 165°F) and the crust is golden and crispy.
Notes
Tip 2: Don't overcrowd the baking dish. Leaving space between the chicken pieces helps the coating get crispy instead of soggy.
Share Your Creation!
We are so excited for you to try this amazing Ritz Cracker Chicken recipe! It’s a dish that brings pure comfort and joy to the dinner table. If you make it, please leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out. We love hearing from you! For more delicious recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest.
