These easy baked chicken bites are crispy, buttery, and incredibly tender inside. Made with just a handful of simple ingredients, they’re perfect for a quick family dinner, kid-friendly meal, or tasty after-school snack.
The secret to these delicious chicken nuggets is the buttery Ritz cracker coating. As the chicken bakes, the butter melts into the crispy cracker crumbs, creating a rich, savory flavor without any frying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy and golden on the outside
- Tender and juicy chicken inside
- Made with simple pantry staples
- No deep-frying or cooking oil needed
- Ready in about 30 minutes
- Great for kids and picky eaters
- Easy to customize with your favorite seasonings
Ingredients
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups Ritz cracker crumbs
- ½ stick butter, cut into small pieces
- Garlic powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, or other seasonings to taste
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
Place the beaten eggs in one shallow bowl and the crushed Ritz crackers in another bowl. Season the cracker crumbs with garlic powder, black pepper, Italian seasoning, or your favorite seasonings.
Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten egg, then coat it generously with the seasoned cracker crumbs.
Arrange the coated chicken pieces in the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Scatter the butter pieces evenly over the chicken.
Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Helpful Tips
Place the Ritz crackers in a large resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin for an easy, mess-free method. About two sleeves of crackers should give you roughly 2 cups of crumbs.
Avoid putting all of the chicken directly into the cracker crumb bowl. As the crumbs come into contact with the egg, they can become soggy. Instead, use clean, dry fingers to sprinkle the crumbs over each piece of chicken.
Cutting the chicken into small bite-size pieces gives you more of that delicious buttery, crispy coating in every bite.
You can also leave the chicken breasts whole or cut them into strips. Larger pieces will require additional baking time, so make sure the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.
Serving Ideas
Serve these crispy Ritz chicken bites with ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce.
For an easy family dinner, pair them with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or your favorite side dish.
Recipe Details
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Prep Time: About 10 minutes
Bake Time: About 20 minutes
Total Time: About 30 minutes
Keyword: baked chicken, chicken bites, chicken nuggets, Ritz chicken, easy dinner
Final Thoughts
These buttery Ritz chicken bites are an easy homemade alternative to traditional fried chicken nuggets. The crispy cracker coating and tender chicken make them a family-friendly meal that’s quick enough for busy weeknights and delicious enough for everyone to enjoy.