Ritz Cracker Chicken Recipe – Simple 30-Minute Baked Chicken Dinner!

Introduction

Craving a satisfying and family-friendly dinner with minimal fuss? This Ritz Cracker Chicken recipe is a classic weeknight solution: moist, tender chicken wrapped in a buttery, crisp layer of crushed crackers. It’s a recipe that delivers comforting flavor and a crunchy texture that keeps everyone coming back for seconds—all on the table in just about 30 minutes.

From picky kids to hungry adults, this crowd-pleaser always vanishes fast. Plus, the simple pantry ingredients make it an affordable, no-stress main dish that pairs with almost any side.

Why Ritz Cracker Chicken is a Must-Try Dinner

What sets this chicken apart is the golden crust made from everyone’s favorite buttery crackers. The mixture melts into a rich, flaky coating during baking, locking in the chicken’s juices for maximum tenderness. The addition of a little seasoning and a touch of butter guarantees big flavor, while the crispiness offers the perfect contrast to the juicy chicken inside.

Best of all, you don’t need culinary prowess or fancy equipment to get incredible results—just a few everyday kitchen tools and your oven.

Prepping Your Chicken & Cracker Coating

Start by crushing your crackers. The fastest and cleanest way is to place them in a resealable plastic bag and roll them with a rolling pin, but if you’d like a super consistent crumb, use the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black for perfectly even crumbs.

Next, for mess-free prep and juicier chicken, slice your chicken breasts evenly using a set from the Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3. This ensures each piece cooks at the same speed, avoiding underdone or dried-out results.

Baking for Extra Crunch with Simple Clean-Up

Arranging your coated chicken on a baking sheet lined with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet guarantees easy clean-up and stops sticking—so you capture all that crispy, golden goodness.

For a hands-off approach, or if you prefer an extra-crispy finish, you can also use the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey, working in batches. This not only sliiiightly cuts the cook time but also reduces the need for extra oil.

Serving and Storing Your Ritz Cracker Chicken

Present your chicken hot from the oven or air fryer with your favorite sides—think creamy mashed potatoes, a crisp green salad, or roasted vegetables. For meal prep, store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) to keep them fresh and crunchy for days.

This recipe is also fantastic for lunchboxes or in wraps, offering flexibility for busy schedules.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe serves 4 and provides a well-balanced meal with protein and satisfying flavor. Each serving clocks in at roughly 350–400 calories, depending on the amount of butter and the specific cut of chicken.

Ritz Cracker Chicken Recap

With its irresistible crunchy coating and juicy center, Ritz Cracker Chicken remains a smart, speedy choice for home cooks looking to keep dinner both simple and delicious. It’s classic comfort food with a stress-free twist—a true 30-minute miracle!

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, 45 Square Feet for easy cleanup.
2. Crush Ritz crackers until you have about 1 ½ cups of crumbs. For a super-fine and consistent texture, pulse in the Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black.
3. Pat the chicken breasts dry and, if needed, use the Bamboo Cutting Boards for Kitchen, Set of 3 to trim or halve them for even thickness.
4. Set up two shallow bowls: one with melted butter, and one with your crushed crackers mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
5. Dip each chicken breast into the melted butter to coat, then dredge well in the cracker mixture, pressing so the coating sticks all over.
6. Arrange coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (165°F on a ThermoPro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer for Cooking) and the crust is golden and crisp.
7. Alternatively, air fry in the COSORI Air Fryer 9-in-1, Compact & Large 6-Qt, Grey at 400°F for about 15–18 minutes, turning halfway.
8. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving, if desired. Enjoy!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Enjoy this simple, crowd-pleasing Ritz Cracker Chicken—proof that crave-worthy comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated!