Crispy Ritz Chicken

I am not sure if you can "add" to your New Year's Resolution but I am going to :) In addition to trying to stick to making quick and simple meals using little ingredients, I am also working hard to meal plan and post recipes that are "on a budget." It is always nice to have quick, easy, meals but also save a few pennies to save up for fun rainy days- for me that is our one year anniversary trip- I would LOVE to go to Thailand. Do not mind if I do...

Some fun facts about me that you may not know: My birthday is next Friday. I LOVE holidays and birthdays, especially mine. Well, I am also one lucky gal- because each year my sister and my hubby get me lots of wonderful things because I just get so excited. And to give credit to my sister- she has been spoiling me long before the hubby. You are correct- I am the luckiest little sister EVER! 

Also patient is not a good adjective to describe me. For the past week packages have been arriving at our apartment. I have grudgingly allowed the hubby to stack these packages away, knowing they are for me and not opening it! THE TORTURE! Today was the worst though- a HUGE package came and I am dying to know what is in there. And why I am extra antsy- I know the sweet hubby and amazing sister got things on my wishlist! But, man-oh-man, what things on my wish list did they get. The sister lives in Kansas City and the hubby's at work- wonder if they will know if I peek ;) 

For those of you who loved my Sour Creamy Chicken- you will love this too! Similar (yet different), very yummy and also served with cilantro rice....mmmmmm....Also I made the rice a bit differently this time.

Update: If you like this recipe check out Crispy Cheez-Itz Chicken!

CRISPY RITZ CHICKEN

Chicken and Sauce adapted from Jamie Cooks it Up!

INGREDIENTS

Preheat Oven to 350F Degrees

FOR CILANTRO RICE
1 1/2 c. of uncooked rice*
1/8 c. lime juice
2 tbsp. tried cilantro

FOR THE CHICKEN
3 chicken breasts
2 sleeves of Ritz crackers (I got the roasted veggie flavor)**
1/2 c. of buttermilk (can use regular milk)
2-2 1/2 c. of shredded cheese (I used mozzarella)***
Salt and Pepper to taste

FOR THE SAUCE
1-10oz can of cream of chicken**
3 tbsp. of sour cream
2 tbsp. butter

Dried cilantro for garnish

*Adjust rice amount according to how much you know you and your family will eat. I love rice so I always make more.
** Use any flavor that you prefer (i.e., regular Ritz Crackers or Cream of Mushroom)
*** Start out with 2 c. of cheese, but if you run out add more- no need to waste cheese :)

 DIRECTIONS

For the rice:
Combine 1 1/2 c. of uncooked rice-- my favorite are Jasmine or Basmati rice-- and 3 c. of water. Set rice cooker to cook. Once the rice cooks, in a large pot or bowl, mix together rice and lime juice together. Then add cilantro and toss together. Set aside.

For the Chicken:
There is a bit of set up first.  Grease a large baking tray with cooking spray, butter or shortening. In a food processor grind Ritz Crackers into fine crumbs, mix with salt and pepper to taste. Place the crumbs in a pan or shallow dish. In a bowl, pour the buttermilk. And in another dish, spread the shredded cheese. I set up my pans/dishes/trays in this order: milk bowl, then cheese dish, then crumbs, and finally baking tray. 

First dip the breasts into the milk. Then roll into shredded cheese- the cheese will not stick too great so use your hands to press in the cheese. Finally, cover with crumbs. Do not worry- the cheese will fall into the crumbs- that is okay! Place the breast onto the baking tray. Repeat for the remainder of chicken breast cutlets. Once all the cutlets are on the baking tray- sprinkle any non-covered areas with additional crumbs. Bake for 30-35 minutes until breasts are thoroughly cooked and center is no longer pink.

For the sauce: 
In  a small pot, over medium-high heat, bring cream of chicken, sour cream and butter to a boil. Remove from heat, whisk together and allow to cool.  Serve chicken breast on top a scoop of cilantro rice. Serve sauce over chicken. 

Okay- I know- this seems like a lot but this took me only about 30 minutes.

Update: If you like this recipe check out Crispy Cheez-Itz Chicken!





Enjoy,
Chika