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Cheesy Ritz Cracker Chicken

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

  • 1 sleeve of Ritz crackers (about 1 ½ cups crushed)

  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese)

  • 1 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt for a healthier option)

  • ½ cup mayonnaise (for creaminess)

  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)

  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Ingredient Highlights

  • Ritz Crackers: The buttery, crunchy Ritz crackers form the perfect crispy coating for the chicken and provide that irresistible texture everyone loves.

  • Cheddar Cheese: The shredded cheddar cheese adds richness and flavor, melting beautifully over the chicken.

  • Sour Cream and Mayonnaise: These ingredients work together to create a creamy base for the sauce that adds moisture to the dish while enhancing the flavor.

  • Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper elevate the overall taste and ensure the chicken is seasoned perfectly.

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lightly greasing it or lining it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

  2. Prepare the Chicken Breasts: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. This helps the coating stick to the chicken. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Prepare the Cracker Coating:

  1. Crush the Ritz Crackers: In a large zip-top bag or a bowl, crush the Ritz crackers until they’re broken into small crumbs. You can use a rolling pin to crush them in the bag or a food processor for a finer texture.

  2. Combine the Sauce Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, and shredded cheddar cheese until well combined. The mixture should have a creamy, spreadable consistency.

  3. Coat the Chicken: Dip each seasoned chicken breast into the creamy sauce, ensuring it is evenly coated. Once coated, dredge it in the crushed Ritz cracker mixture, pressing gently to make sure the crumbs stick well.

Bake the Chicken:

 

  1. Transfer to Baking Dish: Place the coated chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the chicken to help the cracker coating become golden and crispy while baking.

  2. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C) and the crust is golden brown and crispy. The cheese should be melted and bubbly.

  3. Garnish and Serve: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately.

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