Crispy Million Dollar Chicken Recipe with Easy Ritz Cracker Topping
A quick and easy baked chicken recipe featuring a buttery, crispy Ritz cracker topping that transforms ordinary chicken into a crowd-pleasing comfort food.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz / 170 g each)
- 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 50 g)
- 4 tablespoons melted butter (57 g)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (120 ml)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Crush about 2 cups (50 g) of Ritz crackers into fine crumbs using a food processor or place them in a sealed bag and crush with a rolling pin.
- In a medium bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend all the flavors evenly.
- In a smaller bowl, whisk together mayonnaise and melted butter until smooth and combined.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels.
- Brush or spread the mayo-butter mixture evenly over each piece of chicken, making sure all sides are covered.
- Press the Ritz cracker mixture firmly onto each chicken breast, coating all sides well.
- Place the coated chicken breasts in a single layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish, leaving space between pieces.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before coating to help topping stick better. Crush Ritz crackers finely but not into powder to maintain texture. If topping browns too quickly, tent loosely with foil for last 10 minutes. Bring chicken to room temperature before baking for even cooking. Rest chicken after baking to keep it juicy. May substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or dairy-free alternatives. For gluten-free, use gluten-free crackers or crushed pork rinds. Parmesan cheese adds flavor and browning; can substitute with Pecorino Romano or nutritional yeast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 25
Keywords: crispy chicken, Ritz cracker topping, baked chicken, easy dinner, comfort food, quick chicken recipe, buttery crust