Cheesy Ritz Cracker Chicken!

This "Cheesy Ritz Cracker Chicken" is absolutely scrumptious!  This is an oven fried chicken coated in Ritz cracker crumbs mixed with cheese.  What could be bad about that, right?  I soaked my chicken in buttermilk for about an hour ahead of time and it was so tender you could cut it with your fork.

 If you don't have time to marinade it for the hour, it still works fine. There is a cream sauce you can also make that is so easy and it's great over the chicken and mashed potatoes or rice.

Here is what you are going to need for this:

12 boneless chicken breast tenderloins or 4 large boneless chicken breasts cut in thirds lengthwise

2 cups buttermilk

2 sleeves of Ritz crackers, crushed fine

1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese

4 Tbs. butter, melted

seasoned salt

black pepper

Cream Sauce

1 (10.5 oz.) can of cream of chicken soup

1 cup milk

1 cup sour cream

1/4 tsp. seasoned salt

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over it all making sure to coat it all over really well.  If you have time, cover and let it hang out in the fridge for about an hour.  This really tenderizes the chicken and makes it so good.  If you don't have time for that, you can skip it and it's still good.  

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Place the Ritz cracker crumbs and the finely shredded cheddar cheese in a gallon size Ziplock bag.   You can crush the crackers in the food processor or place them in the bag and use your rolling pin to crush them.  I prefer using the rolling pin to do this, because I don't like them too fine.

Place about three pieces of the chicken at a time in the bag, seal and shake to coat the chicken.  Be sure to let the excess buttermilk drip off first.   Place each piece on a baking sheet you have covered with nonstick foil and sprayed with nonstick spray.  Make sure they are not touching.   If the pieces do not get good and coated, once they are on the baking sheet, I go back and pack some extra crumbs on top of each piece.   Continue  breading until all pieces are coated.  

Drizzle each piece with the melted butter.  Sprinkle each piece with a little seasoned salt and a little black pepper.   

 Place in a 375 degree oven and bake for 40-45 minutes or until browned on top.  There is no need to turn them during cooking.

To make the cream sauce, just place all of the ingredients for it in a saucepan.  Heat over medium heat just until heated through.  I served the sauce on the side and let everyone that wanted it over their chicken or mashed potatoes, serve themselves.   

 This is a must try!  It's so good!