Crispy Baked Buttermilk Ritz Cracker Chicken

A ritz chicken breast on a plate with a fork and knife.

Crispy Baked Buttermilk Ritz Cracker Chicken

This cheesy Ritz cracker chicken recipe produces baked chicken that's perfectly crunchy on the outside, and tender on the inside. The secret to truly moist and juicy chicken breasts is to marinate the chicken in buttermilk first (30 minutes minimum, but preferably overnight!) This easy chicken dinner is ready and on the table in just 30 minutes - you can't beat that!

Course: entree

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 30

Equipment

▢
Cheese Grater
▢
Rimmed Baking Sheet

Ingredients

▢ 4 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
▢ 1 sleeve Ritz crackers (1 cup crushed)
▢ ½ cup buttermilk (plus more for marinating)
▢ 1 egg
▢ 1 cup cheddar cheese (finely grated)

Instructions

If you have time, marinate chicken with about a cup of buttermilk overnight or for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400º. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.
Discard the buttermilk and rinse the chicken and pat dry. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Mix egg and ½ cup of buttermilk together and place in a pie dish or cake pan.
Place Ritz crackers in a ziplock bag and crush with a rolling pin or other hard object until they are finely crushed. Place in a second pan or plate.
Dip the chicken in milk/egg mixture than in the cracker mixture. Place on the prepared pan. Sprinkle cheese on top and put any remaining crackers on top.
Cover with aluminum foil and bake covered for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until a meat thermometer reads 165º.

Video

Barbara's Notes + Tips

You can use chicken tenders instead of breasts, just decrease the cooking time.
If you don't have buttermilk, add a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.
To crush the crackers, place in a ziplock and use a rolling pin or wine bottle or any heavy object.

Nutrition