Heavenly Chicken Recipe
Heavenly Chicken is a deliciously creamy and crunchy baked chicken dish, featuring tender chicken breasts coated in a flavorful mixture of sour cream and spices, then crusted with buttery Ritz crackers for the perfect golden finish. This easy-to-make recipe combines simple ingredients to create a comforting and satisfying meal suitable for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
- Author: lucas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Coating
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 ½ cups crushed Ritz crackers
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- Parsley for garnish
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Pound the chicken: Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, gently pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.
- Prepare the sour cream mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Stir well to make an even, flavorful coating.
- Prepare the cracker coating: Place the crushed Ritz crackers into a separate shallow dish, ready for dredging.
- Coat the chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in the sour cream mixture, then press firmly into the crushed Ritz crackers to thoroughly coat each piece with the crispy crumbs.
- Arrange and butter: Place the coated chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish in a single layer, then drizzle with the melted butter to enhance browning and flavor.
- Bake: Bake the chicken for 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) and the coating is golden and crisp.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 3 to 4 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh parsley to add a burst of color and freshness before serving.
Notes
- Crushing the Ritz crackers finely will help the coating stick better and create an even crust.
- If you prefer extra crispy crust, broil the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter coating with added protein.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked but still juicy.
- Leftover chicken makes great sandwiches or salads the next day.
Keywords: Heavenly Chicken, baked chicken breasts, Ritz cracker crust chicken, creamy chicken recipe, easy chicken dinner