Crispy butter chicken is one of those easy chicken dinner recipes that makes everyone happy. With its crispy coating and rich, buttery sauce, it spoils your tastebuds with finger-licking goodness. You can prepare the ingredients in just 10 minutes and bake it in 30 minutes to enjoy this perfect weeknight meal. It’s great for casual dinners, potlucks, or even date night. I’ve been making this recipe for years and my family constantly requests it. For chicken lovers, this recipe is simply irresistible.
Do I Really Need Special Breadcrumbs?
You don’t need any fancy ingredients to make this dish. Regular plain breadcrumbs or even crushed crackers work perfectly. I often use crushed Ritz crackers for that iconic buttery flavor. The key is coating the chicken well so that it gets ultra crispy in the oven. As long as you thoroughly dredge the chicken in the egg and breadcrumbs, you’ll get a crispy coating.
What If My Chicken Breasts Are Large?
I use 6 oz chicken breasts for this recipe. If your chicken breasts are much bigger, you may need to increase the cooking time. An instant read thermometer is helpful for checking doneness. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. With especially large chicken breasts, I recommend slicing them in half horizontally to ensure even cooking.
Can I Customize the Flavors?
Absolutely! This crispy butter chicken recipe is highly adaptable. Try mixing the breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, parmesan, paprika, or spice blends like lemon pepper or Cajun seasoning. You can also use flavored butter, like garlic herb butter, for even more flavor. Get creative with the seasonings to put your own spin on this chicken.
What Sides Go Best with This Chicken?
Buttery crispy chicken calls for equally rich, savory sides. Some of my favorites are creamy mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, roasted vegetables, and buttered noodles. An easy salad like a spinach or kale Caesar salad also balances the meal nicely. And don’t skip dessert – this chicken pairs perfectly with a scoop of ice cream.
Should I Meal Prep the Chicken?
Crispy butter chicken makes for excellent meal prep. You can bake a large batch of chicken breasts, then freeze them to reheat throughout the week. The crispy coating may lose a bit of its crunch, but the rich flavor remains. For best results, let the chicken cool completely before freezing in airtight containers or bags. It will keep for 2-3 months. Meal prepping this recipe saves lots of time on busy nights!
Crispy Butter Chicken Recipe:
Servings: 4 Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Total Duration: 40 minutes Course: Main Course
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, sliced
- 1 cup Ritz cracker crumbs
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 ounces each)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Cooking Instructions:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees.
- Take two separate shallow bowls: place the beaten eggs in one and the Ritz cracker crumbs in the other.
- Combine the cracker crumbs with garlic salt and black pepper.
- Dip each chicken breast first in the eggs, then coat thoroughly with the seasoned crumb mixture.
- Arrange the coated chicken in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Scatter the butter pieces evenly over the chicken.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the chicken turns a delicious golden brown.
Enjoy this crispy, buttery delight that’s sure to be a hit at your dining table!
