Cheesy Chicken Ritz, the name sounds funny but the dish itself is delicious. And that’s the best thing I could come up with because that’s exactly what this dinner is. It’s baked chicken strips with cheese and ritz crackers. In this post, I am going to show you how to make this delicious kid-approved dinner.
I don’t know about you but when I find something my kids like to eat and it isn’t fast food I tend to make it on the regular. And this dish is made on the regular at my house. Chicken is something all kids typically like and approve of. However, chicken can get boring.
There was one week I made chicken every night for dinner. I didn’t do it on purpose but my kids noticed and of course, complained. There was also a possibility every version of chicken I made was in the crockpot as well, hahaha.
I told myself I would not do that again. Or at least I wouldn’t make five chicken dinners in the crockpot in a row. But I still needed something that I could throw together that was somewhat quick to throw together and easy to make.
This recipe is just that; not boring and simple to make. Plus it has all kid’s favorites in one dish; chicken, cheese, and ritz crackers. I’d say that’s a mom-win in my book. And that’s also how it got the name cheesy chicken ritz. YUM!
Cheesy Chicken Ritz
- 1.5-2lbs Chicken Strips
- 1.5 Ritz Cracker Sleeves
- 2 Cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Cup Buttermilk or Milk
- 2 Eggs
- Salt and Pepper
Preheat your oven to 400°
First, you will want to season your chicken strips however you see fit. I usually just sprinkle them with salt and pepper.
And no I don’t wash my chicken and no I don’t pull that white whatever it’s called out either. It’s my chicken, I do what I want or in this case, don’t want.
But you do the extra steps if you feel like you need to. I do not judge unlike I’m sure plenty of you will judge me because I don’t do those things. It’s whatever, moving on!
In a medium bowl mix two eggs, one cup of buttermilk, salt, and pepper together (measure that salt and pepper with your heart). No worries if you don’t have buttermilk. I rarely have it on hand myself and just use regular milk. However, I have been on a cornbread kick here lately so I now have buttermilk at my beck and call.
Next, place all of your chicken strips in the egg/buttermilk bowl making sure all of your chicken is coated in the stuff.
Now comes the lazy way of making this cheesy chicken ritz dinner. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Crush half a sleeve of ritz crackers and evenly spread it in the dish.
Then sprinkle about half a cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese evenly over your ritz. Also, it doesn’t have to be sharp cheddar cheese. Use whatever you want or have on hand. But cheddar does make it better, haha. I usually use sharp cheddar or a mix of different cheeses.
Now take your chicken strips and carefully lay them side by side throughout the dish on top of your ritz and cheese layer.
Then add another layer of shredded cheese on top of the chicken. Only this time add more, or not. It’s really up to you but I say give me all the cheese!
Last but not least top it off with another layer of crushed-up ritz crackers, about a sleeve is what I use.
Like I said, it’s the lazy way. I have tried the overachieving way. Which is roll your milk-covered chicken in the cheese then roll it in the crackers, both of which will be in separate dishes. Then place them one by one in the baking dish. BARELY ANYTHING STUCK.
I love to actually be able to taste the cheese and crackers. Those two ingredients are what make this recipe so good. Just sayin.
Lastly, cover your dish with tinfoil and bake in the oven at 400° for 35 minutes. Once the timer goes off, remove the tinfoil and bake for another 10 minutes.
Serve with some vegetables or Mac and Cheese and Enjoy!
Here are a few other recipes I know you will love:
Breakfast Casserole (this is a one-dish dinner)
Cheesy Chicken Ritz
Equipment
- 9×13 Baking Dish
- tinfoil
Ingredients
- 1½-2 lbs Chicken Strips
- 1½-2 sleeves Ritz Crackers
- 2 cups Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup Buttermilk or Whole Milk
- 2 Eggs
- Salt and Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°
- Season your chicken strips as you see fit. I usually just sprinkle salt and pepper all over mine.
- In a medium bowl mix together eggs, buttermilk, salt, and pepper.
- Add seasoned chicken strips to your buttermilk mixture. Make sure all of your chicken gets coated.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Crush half a sleeve of ritz crackers and sprinkle them evenly throughout your baking dish.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded cheese over your ritz crackers.
- Lay your coated chicken strips side by side on top of your cracker/cheese layer throughout the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the rest of your shredded cheese on top of your chicken.
- Lastly, sprinkle one sleeve of crushed ritz crackers on top of the cheese layer.
- Cover with tinfoil and bake at 400° for 35 minutes. When the timer goes off, remove the tinfoil and bake for another 10 minutes.
- Enjoy!