One-Dish Golden Baked Chicken with cracker-crumb topping

A Classic, Easy Weeknight Dinner That Tastes Like Sunday

Welcome to the ultimate comfort food! This One-Dish Golden Baked Chicken with Cracker-Crumb Topping is a timeless classic for a reason. It delivers incredibly juicy, tender chicken wrapped in a savory sauce and crowned with a crispy, golden-brown, buttery cracker crust. It's simple to prepare, easy to clean up, and guaranteed to be a family favorite.

Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or a dish to impress guests with minimal effort, this recipe is your golden ticket.

📝 Recipe Details

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken & Sauce:

• 4-6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 - 2 lbs total)
  • (Note: Pound to an even ½-inch thickness for best results)
• ½ cup Mayonnaise (or a blend of sour cream/plain yogurt)
• 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
• 1 tsp Garlic Powder
• ½ tsp Onion Powder
• ½ tsp Kosher Salt
• ¼ tsp Black Pepper

For the Cracker Topping:

• 1 ½ sleeves Buttery Round Crackers (such as Ritz, approximately 50-60 crackers), crushed
  • (You should have about 1 ½ cups of coarse crumbs)
• ½ cup (1 stick) Unsalted Butter, melted
• Optional: 1 tsp dried parsley or Italian seasoning (for the topping)

🔪 Instructions

1. Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a pat of butter.

2. Prep the Chicken and Sauce

• If your chicken breasts are thick, place them one at a time between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound to an even ½-inch thickness. This ensures even cooking.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined. This is your coating mixture.
• Working one piece at a time, dip and coat each chicken breast completely in the mayonnaise mixture. Place the coated chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.

3. Create the Golden Cracker Topping

• Place the crackers in a large zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into coarse, irregular crumbs. Avoid turning them into fine powder.
• In a separate bowl, pour the ½ cup of melted butter over the crushed crackers. Add the optional seasonings (parsley, Italian seasoning, etc.).
• Toss the cracker crumbs and butter with a fork until all the crumbs are moistened.
• Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the tops of the coated chicken breasts.

4. Bake to Golden Perfection

• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the cracker topping is golden brown and the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer.
• Tip: If the topping browns too quickly, you can loosely tent the dish with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes.

5. Serve

• Remove the dish from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum tenderness.
• Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or chives, if desired.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

This chicken pairs beautifully with classic sides, making it a complete meal:

• Starch: Creamy mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or rice pilaf.
• Vegetable: Steamed or roasted green beans, asparagus, or a simple side salad.
• Bread: Warm, crusty dinner rolls to soak up any remaining butter sauce!

💡 Chef's Notes and Tips

• Cracker Choice: While buttery round crackers (like Ritz) are the traditional choice for their rich flavor and perfect texture, you can substitute with saltines, crushed corn flakes, or panko breadcrumbs for a different crunch.
• Pounding the Chicken: Don't skip this step! Ensuring an even thickness is crucial for preventing the ends from drying out while the center finishes cooking.
• Make it a Casserole: For a truly "one-dish" experience, use pre-cooked, shredded chicken (like rotisserie), mix it with the sauce ingredients (you may need to thin the sauce with a splash of milk or broth), spread it in the dish, top with the cracker crumbs, and bake until bubbly and golden (about 25-30 minutes).
• Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the oven or air fryer to help maintain the crispiness of the topping.

Enjoy this incredibly easy and delicious One-Dish Golden Baked Chicken!

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