Description

Crispy Ritz Cracker Chicken is a delicious and easy-to-make weeknight dinner featuring boneless, skinless chicken breasts coated in a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker crust. Baked or fried to golden perfection, this recipe delivers a juicy, tender interior with a satisfyingly crisp exterior. Perfect for busy evenings, this crowd-pleasing dish can be customized with your favorite spices and served with a variety of sides and garnishes.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Coating

2 cups Ritz crackers, finely crushed
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Binding

2 large eggs, beaten

Instructions

Prepare the Cracker Coating: Crush the Ritz crackers finely using a food processor or place them in a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin. In a bowl, combine the cracker crumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add melted butter and toss until the crumbs are evenly coated and slightly clumpy to help them stick.
Set Up the Dipping Station: In a shallow dish, beat the eggs thoroughly. This will serve as the first layer for the chicken to adhere to the cracker crust.
Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken breast into the beaten eggs, ensuring full coverage. Press the chicken firmly into the Ritz cracker mixture, coating all sides evenly. For an extra thick crust, dip and coat a second time.
Bake or Fry: Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a greased wire rack. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 25–30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the crust is golden and crisp. Alternatively, shallow fry in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through.
Rest and Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to lock in the juices, ensuring a juicy interior and a crunchy exterior.

Notes

Aim for fine but not powdery cracker crumbs for maximum crunch.
Use just enough butter to bind the crumbs and add richness without making the coating greasy.
Double dipping the chicken in egg and crumbs creates an ultra-thick crust.
Bake on a wire rack to allow hot air circulation and keep the crust crisp.
Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safety and juiciness.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
Calories: 400
Sugar: 1 g
Sodium: 600 mg
Fat: 25 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 35 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg

Keywords: crispy chicken, Ritz cracker chicken, easy dinner, weeknight meal, crunchy chicken, baked chicken, fried chicken