Description
These Cheez-It Covered Chicken Nuggets feature tender, juicy chicken marinated in buttermilk and ranch seasoning, then coated with crushed Cheez-It crackers and baked until golden and irresistibly crunchy. Perfect for busy weeknights, lunch boxes, or whenever you need a quick homemade snack that tastes restaurant-quality and disappears in minutes.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces, about 1 to 1.5 inches each
- 2 cups buttermilk, ensures tender, juicy chicken throughout
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix, adds herby, savory depth to every bite
- 4 cups Cheez-It crackers, crushed into coarse crumbs, not powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste before baking
- Cooking spray, for extra crispiness on the outside
- Paprika or garlic powder, optional, mixed into the cracker coating for extra flavor
Instructions
- Cut the chicken: Place your chicken breasts on a clean cutting board and slice them into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1 to 1.5 inches in size, ensuring even cooking throughout.
- Marinate in buttermilk: Pour the buttermilk into a shallow bowl and add the packet of ranch seasoning mix, stirring until fully combined. Submerge all chicken pieces in this mixture and let them sit for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 30 minutes for deeper flavor.
- Crush the crackers: While the chicken marinates, place your Cheez-Its in a large zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin or your hands until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs with some texture remaining.
- Prepare the baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Coat each nugget: Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess liquid to drip back into the bowl, then roll it generously in the crushed Cheez-Its until fully coated on all sides.
- Arrange on the sheet: Place each coated nugget on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart so hot air can circulate freely around each piece.
- Bake until crispy: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the coating is golden brown and the internal temperature of the largest piece reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes