This Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken is crispy, golden, and packed with buttery flavor thanks to the crushed Ritz cracker coating. Juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside, it’s a quick and easy dinner the whole family will love!
This Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken is crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor—thanks to a buttery Ritz cracker coating that’s pure comfort food!
It’s the perfect easy dinner idea that feels homemade but comes together quickly in the air fryer. With a golden, crunchy crust on the outside and tender, juicy chicken on the inside, this recipe is always a family favorite. Serve it with your favorite sides for a satisfying meal everyone will love!
Suppose you have been looking for some great Air Fryer Chicken Recipes for your family. In that case, this is one of the best. Other great ones to try are AIR FRYER TANDOORI CHICKEN LEGS, EASY AIR FRYER CHICKEN SANDWICH (CHICK-FIL-A COPYCAT), AIR FRYER HERB CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS, and AIR FRYER PERUVIAN CHICKEN DRUMSTICKS.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
✅ Crispy & Buttery – That Ritz cracker coating is golden and delicious! 🧈🥠
⏱️ Quick & Easy – Done in under 20 minutes thanks to the air fryer. 🔥
🍗 Juicy on the Inside – Perfectly tender, never dry. 💯
🙌 Kid & Family Friendly – A crowd-pleaser everyone will devour. 👨👩👧👦
💰 Budget-Friendly – Made with simple pantry ingredients you already have. 🛒
Ingredients Needed
- Ritz Crackers – Buttery crackers crushed for a crispy, golden coating
- Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless) – Tender, lean chicken perfect for air frying
- Cooking Spray – Helps achieve a crispy, golden crust without oil
How To Make Ritz Cracker Chicken Air Fryer
Prep the Chicken: Start by horizontally slicing the chicken breasts in half to create thinner cutlets. This ensures they cook evenly and quickly in the air fryer.
Crush the Crackers: Place the Ritz crackers in a freezer-safe bag or plastic bag and crush them into fine crumbs with a rolling pin or the bottom of a pan. You’re aiming for a consistency that will adhere well to the chicken, creating a crispy outer layer. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow bowl or shallow dish.
Coat the Chicken: Moist chicken breasts slightly with water to help the Ritz Cracker crumbs stick. Then, press each piece of chicken into the crushed crackers, ensuring they are well coated on both sides. For a thicker crust, press the chicken into the crumbs, flip it over, and press again to ensure it’s fully coated.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). This step is crucial for achieving the best texture, as it helps the cracker coating crisp up right from the start.
Air Fry: Place chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching to allow for proper air circulation. Set cook time for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
Serve: Once cooked, let the chicken rest on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving. This rest period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your chicken is moist and tender with a crispy, flavorful crust on the outside.
Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken Recipe Tips
- Ensure Even Coating For the crispiest outcome, ensure each piece of chicken is evenly coated with the Ritz cracker crumbs.
- Use Parchment Paper or a Lightly Greased Basket. To prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup, consider placing a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer basket or lightly greasing it.
- Don’t Overcrowd. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Flip Halfway Through For even cooking and crispiness on all sides, flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time.
- Adjust Cooking Time Based on Size The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken pieces. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Crushing Ritz Crackers: To get the flavor of Ritz crackers, you can use a food processor to process the buttery crackers.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking.
- Experiment with Seasonings Don’t be afraid to add your favorite spices to the cracker crumbs.
- Serve With Dips. Honey mustard, ranch, barbecue sauce, or spicy mayo can add a layer of taste to your Ritz cracker chicken.
Storing, Freezing & Reheating
Storing 🧊: Store leftover Ritz Cracker Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Keep it tightly sealed to maintain crispiness as much as possible.
Freezing ❄️: Freeze cooked chicken by placing pieces on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 2 months. For best texture, freeze before air frying if possible.
Reheating 🔥: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 4–5 minutes until hot and crispy. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the coating soggy.
What To Serve With Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken Recipe
Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken pairs perfectly with a variety of sides for a complete and satisfying meal. Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes, air fryer roasted vegetables, mac and cheese, or a fresh garden salad for a balanced plate.
It’s also delicious with simple sides like steamed green beans, corn on the cob, or buttery dinner rolls. Whether you’re going for classic comfort food or a lighter meal, this crispy, juicy chicken complements just about anything!
Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken Recipe Faqs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts for this recipe? Yes, you can use chicken thighs instead of breasts.
How do I prevent the cracker coating from falling off during cooking? To help the cracker coating adhere better, ensure the chicken is slightly moist by patting it with water or brushing it lightly with oil or mustard before coating.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free? To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free Ritz-style crackers or a suitable substitute.
Is it necessary to preheat the air fryer? Preheating the air fryer is recommended for the best results. It helps achieve a crispy, golden crust on the chicken by starting the cooking process as soon as it is in the air fryer.
What should I serve with Ritz Air Fryer Cracker Chicken? This dish pairs well with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with steamed vegetables, a fresh salad, green beans, mashed potatoes, or rice for a balanced meal. Dipping sauces like honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch can complement the flavors.
How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer, until warmed through.
How do I ensure my chicken is juicy and not dry? Avoid overcooking the chicken by checking its internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER TANDOORI CHICKEN LEGS
- EASY AIR FRYER CHICKEN SANDWICH (CHICK-FIL-A COPYCAT)
- 20 OF THE BEST AIR FRYER CHICKEN RECIPES
- AIR FRYER HERB CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS
- CRISPY AIR FRYER CHICKEN WINGS
- AIR FRYER KUNG PAO CHICKEN
Don’t Forget to Pin!
Share Your Creations! Are you active on Facebook? Join our Air Fryer Recipes Group, where hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer enthusiasts gather and share your photos! I’m always thrilled to see what you’ve made. For those on Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @forktospoon – I can’t wait to admire your culinary adventures!
Air Fryer Ritz Cracker Chicken
Description
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts, about 10 ounces each
- 1 package Ritz Cracker Seasoning Coating Mix, or 2 cups crushed Ritz Crackers
Instructions
- Start by horizontally slicing the chicken breasts in half to create thinner cutlets. This ensures they cook evenly and quickly in the air fryer.
- Place the Ritz crackers in a freezer-safe bag or plastic bag and crush them into fine crumbs with a rolling pin or the bottom of a pan. You're aiming for a consistency that will adhere well to the chicken, creating a crispy outer layer. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow bowl or shallow dish.
- Moist chicken breasts slightly with water to help the Ritz Cracker crumbs stick. Then, press each piece of chicken into the crushed crackers, ensuring they are well coated on both sides. For a thicker crust, press the chicken into the crumbs, flip it over, and press again to ensure it's fully coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). This step is crucial for achieving the best texture, as it helps the cracker coating crisp up right from the start.
- Place chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching to allow for proper air circulation. Set cook time for 10-12 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
- Once cooked, let the chicken rest on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving. This rest period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring your chicken is moist and tender with a crispy, flavorful crust on the outside.
Equipment
- Air Fryer, Air Fryer Basket or Air Fryer Oven
- Cooking Spray, or Non-Stick Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Notes
Tips for the Best Ritz Butter Chicken
- Use fresh chicken, frozen chicken, will work but you will never get the breading to stay on the chicken.
- If you find that your breading is coming off, I would recommend using a reusable air fryer silicone liner and lining the basket with it. This will help your breading stay on during air frying.
- Spray your chicken generously with a high heat oil, which will help the breading crisp up. You can use olive oil, avocado oil, or even coconut oil.
- If you can not find the Ritz Cracker Crumbs at the grocery store on Amazon.com, you can add your Ritz Crackers to a plastic bag and crush them. The recipe will work the same.
- Ensure not crowd your air fryer basket. Otherwise, your chicken will not properly crips up. The air fryer needs to circulate the chicken, which will cause it to perfectly crisp up!
- The best way to tell if the chicken has cooked up would be to use a meat thermometer since every air fryer is slightly different.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken in the thickest part of the chicken, which should read 165 degrees F.
Nutrition
Share this recipe
We can’t wait to see what you’ve made! Mention @forktospoon or tag #forktospoon!
Kathy
Made the Ritz cracker chicken to night, quick and easy, and very good!