Zesty Ritz Crusted Chicken Recipe: Crispy Dinner Magic

Crispy, golden-brown chicken with a Ritz crusted chicken delight recipe that’ll make your taste buds dance sparkles with irresistible flavor.

This simple yet mouthwatering dish brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

The crunchy crackers create a perfectly seasoned coating that locks in juicy chicken goodness.

Each bite delivers a satisfying crackle and rich, buttery notes that complement the tender meat.

Home cooks adore how quickly this recipe comes together with just a few pantry staples.

Weeknight dinners just got a delicious upgrade with this crowd-pleasing classic that guarantees clean plates and happy smiles.

Dive into this delectable recipe and watch everyone ask for seconds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Ritz Crusted Chicken

• Chicken Fillets: Tender, boneless cuts that provide a lean protein foundation, selecting fresh, uniform-sized pieces ensures even cooking and consistent texture.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances the chicken's natural flavor, choose fine-grain sea salt for balanced distribution.
• Garlic Pepper: Adds zesty, aromatic dimension to the chicken, freshly ground blend offers more robust taste.

• Ritz Crackers, Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Dynamic duo creating irresistible crispy exterior with rich, cheesy undertones, crushing crackers finely ensures perfect golden crust.
• Egg, Milk: Binding agents that help cracker and cheese layers adhere seamlessly to chicken, room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly.

• Butter, Cream of Chicken Soup, Sour Cream, Milk: Luxurious sauce components that deliver velvety, comforting finish, using full-fat dairy ensures maximum richness and depth of flavor.

Tools to Crust and Bake Chicken Easily

• Large Baking Pan: Essential for evenly baking chicken and catching any drips.
• Shallow Dishes: Three needed for egg mixture, cheese, and cracker coating.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending egg and milk smoothly.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure milk and ingredients.
• Small Saucepan: Ideal for preparing creamy sauce over medium heat.
• Cutting Board: Use for crushing crackers or prepping ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Helpful for handling chicken fillets.
• Cheese Grater: Great for shredding fresh cheddar cheese.
• Cooking Spray: Ensures chicken doesn't stick to baking pan.
• Mixing Spoon: Useful for stirring sauce ingredients.

How to Prepare Chicken With a Buttery Ritz Crunch

Ritz Crusted Chicken Delight

• Oven Preparation

Warm the oven to a toasty 400°F, creating the perfect cooking environment for a crispy exterior.

• Cracker Coating Station

Crush Ritz crackers into fine, delectable crumbs that will transform ordinary chicken into a crunchy masterpiece.

• Cheese and Egg Magic

Create a delightful mixture of whisked egg and shredded cheddar that will cling lovingly to each chicken piece.

• Flavor Infusion

Sprinkle salt and garlic pepper across chicken fillets, awakening a symphony of savory notes.

• Crispy Transformation

Dunk chicken into egg mixture, then lovingly press cheese and cracker crumbs, creating a golden armor of deliciousness.

• Baking Brilliance

Slide the chicken into the heated oven, allowing 30 minutes of transformative cooking until a beautiful golden crust emerges.

• Creamy Sauce Finale

Melt butter and whisk together a luxurious sauce of cream of chicken soup and sour cream, ready to drench your crispy chicken in pure comfort.

• Serving Sensation

Plate the golden chicken and cascade the velvety sauce over the top, creating a meal that promises pure culinary joy.

Cooking Tips for Juicy Chicken Under a Crisp Topping

• Culinary Magic Tricks: Elevate Your Ritz Crusted Chicken
• Cracker Crunch Control: Use a rolling pin or food processor to crush Ritz crackers into fine, even crumbs for the most consistent crispy coating.
• Cheese Melting Mastery: Opt for freshly shredded cheddar instead of pre-packaged cheese for better melting and richer flavor profile.
• Seasoning Sensation: Experiment with different herb blends like Italian seasoning or smoked paprika to add depth to your chicken's flavor.
• Sauce Swapping Strategy: Replace cream of chicken soup with Greek yogurt or ranch dressing for a lighter, tangier sauce variation that still delivers incredible taste.

Serving Chicken With Southern Flair

• Cheesy Cracker Companion: Pair this golden chicken with a fresh garden salad tossed in a light vinaigrette for a balanced meal that adds crunch and brightness.
• Family-Style Feast: Spread the chicken and sauce over fluffy white rice or buttery mashed potatoes to create a hearty dinner that soaks up all those delicious flavors.
• Veggie Sidekick: Roast some seasonal vegetables like broccoli, carrots, or asparagus alongside the chicken to add nutrition and color to your plate, creating a complete and satisfying meal.
• Comfort Food Upgrade: Serve with warm dinner rolls or garlic bread to help guests soak up the extra creamy sauce, turning this dish into a crowd-pleasing comfort food experience.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat Ritz Chicken

• Advance Prep Power: Coat chicken fillets up to 24 hours before cooking, storing them covered in the refrigerator. This technique allows flavors to develop and simplifies mealtime preparation.
• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers for 3-4 days. Keep the sauce separately to maintain the crispy cracker coating's texture and prevent sogginess.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Wrap individual cooked chicken portions in freezer-safe wrap or containers. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring optimal taste and quality when reheated slowly in the oven.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm refrigerated chicken in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Use a baking sheet to help restore the crispy Ritz cracker crust, avoiding microwave methods that can make the coating soggy and lose its delightful crunch.

Perfect Ritz Crusted Chicken Recipe

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• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ritz crusted chicken delight offers a crispy, golden-brown exterior with juicy chicken that melts in your mouth. Flavorful breadcrumbs and buttery crackers create a perfect coating for this classic comfort meal you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

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• 4 chicken fillets (boneless, skinless)
• 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (Roasted Vegetable flavor), crushed
• 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 10 oz (283 g) cream of chicken soup
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup milk (for egg mixture)
• ¼ cup milk (for sauce)
• 2 tbsps sour cream
• 2 tbsps butter
• Salt (to taste)
• Garlic pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 400°F (200°C) and coat a baking pan with nonstick spray to prevent sticking.
2. Coating Setup: Whisk egg and milk in a shallow dish, creating a binding agent for the crispy exterior. Crush Ritz crackers into fine crumbs and shred cheddar cheese in separate stations.
3. Seasoning: Massage chicken fillets with salt and garlic pepper, distributing flavors thoroughly across the surface.
4. Layering Technique: Dip each chicken piece into the egg-milk mixture, letting excess drip away. Press shredded cheese onto the moistened chicken, then roll in Ritz cracker crumbs, ensuring a complete, golden coating.
5. Baking Process: Arrange coated chicken on the prepared pan, maintaining space between pieces. Roast for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches safe levels and crust transforms into a rich, golden armor.
6. Sauce Creation: While chicken bakes, melt butter in a saucepan. Incorporate cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk, whisking until the mixture becomes smooth and heated through.
7. Serving: Allow chicken to rest briefly after removing from oven, then lavish with the warm, creamy sauce just before presenting the dish.

Notes

• Cracker Coating Tip: Crush Ritz crackers finely and evenly for a consistent, crispy exterior that ensures perfect crunch in every bite.
• Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe and juicy results.
• Cheese Layer Strategy: Press shredded cheese gently onto chicken before cracker coating to create a delicious flavor-sealing barrier.
• Resting Period Importance: Allow chicken to rest after baking to lock in moisture and prevent dry, tough meat texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 850 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 18 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg