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3-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Ritz Chicken

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3-Ingredient Kid-Friendly Ritz Chicken

Looking for an easy dinner your kids will love? This 3-ingredient Ritz chicken is perfect! You only need chicken strips, ranch dressing, and crushed Ritz crackers to make this tasty meal. It’s quick, simple, and guaranteed to please even picky eaters.

Want to try it? Just dip the chicken in ranch, coat it with crushed crackers, and bake. In less than 40 minutes, you’ll have a crispy, flavorful dinner that your whole family will enjoy. Plus, it’s so easy that your kids can help make it!

Exact Ingredients (+ Possible Substitutes)

You’ll need these 3 simple ingredients to make this kid-friendly chicken dish:

  1. Chicken strips (1 pound)
  2. Ranch dressing (1/2 cup)
  3. Ritz crackers, crushed (1 sleeve)

For the chicken, you can use boneless breasts cut into strips or pre-cut tenders. If you prefer, try using chicken thighs for a juicier option.

Don’t have ranch dressing? No problem! You can swap it for Caesar dressing or even plain Greek yogurt mixed with your favorite herbs.

Ritz crackers give a buttery crunch, but other options work too. Try:

  • Saltine crackers
  • Panko breadcrumbs
  • Cornflakes

To crush the crackers, put them in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin. Or, pulse them in a food processor for a finer texture.

Feel free to add some extra flavor with:

  • Grated Parmesan cheese
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried herbs like parsley or basil

Remember, these swaps might change the taste a bit, but they’ll still give you a yummy chicken dinner!

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Get three shallow bowls ready for the coating process.

Put ranch dressing in the first bowl. Crush Ritz crackers and place them in the second bowl. Leave the third bowl empty for now.

Take your chicken strips and dip them in the ranch dressing. Make sure they’re well-coated.

Roll the ranch-covered chicken in the crushed crackers. Press gently to help the crumbs stick.

Place the coated chicken strips on a greased baking sheet. Try not to let them touch each other.

Bake for 25-35 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Let the chicken cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps the coating stay crispy.

Enjoy your tasty, crispy chicken strips! They’re perfect for dipping in extra ranch or your favorite sauce.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For extra crispy chicken, try toasting the Ritz crackers before crushing them. This adds a nice crunch to the coating.

You can use tongs to dip the chicken in the ranch dressing. This keeps your hands clean and makes the process easier.

To get an even coating, gently press the crushed crackers onto the chicken after dipping.

For a flavor boost, mix some grated Parmesan cheese into the crushed crackers before coating.

Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute, making it more tender.

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place the chicken on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes. This helps maintain the crispy texture.

For a quick lunch, slice the cold chicken and add it to salads or sandwiches.

You can freeze the cooked chicken for up to 2 months. Wrap each piece in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag.

To serve frozen chicken, thaw in the fridge overnight. Reheat in the oven as directed above.

Benjamin Happy Muncher

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.