There have been tons of times during which Heavenly Chicken was the dish on my table, eating at mealtime, because it is simply too good. I remember the first time I tasted it; its outside was crunchy and flavored, and the inside was soft and juicy. The best part? It doesn’t use many ingredients and needs very little time for preparation. If comforting food can get any faster, this would be it.

What is Heavenly Chicken?

Heavenly Chicken is creamy, crispy baked chicken coated in sour cream and crushed buttery crackers. The sour cream makes the meat moist, and it provides a golden, crunchy crust from the crackers. It is basically fried chicken, but way easier, minus all the grease.

It is rich, it is hearty, and it is loved by all. I prepare this dish either for a family dinner or just to dish out for the week.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs if you prefer)

For the Coating:

1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

For the Crunch:

1½ cups crushed Ritz crackers (about 1 sleeve)
2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

Preheat oven to about 375°F or 190C and very lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment for an easy cleanup.
Make the coating: In a bowl, combine sour cream with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
For mixers in a separate bowl: Toss crushed crackers with melted butter until evenly coated.
Coat chicken in the sauce: Dip one chicken breast at a time in the sour cream mixture, coating it completely.
Coat: Press the cracker mix gently onto the chicken to adhere.
Bake: Into a casserole to bake for about 35-40 minutes until cooked and is nice and brown on top.

Storage Tips

Fridge: Leftover food can be stored in an airtight container for about three days.
Reheat: If you warm these up in an oven set to about 350°F, the crust will stay crispy!
Freezer: You can wrap and freeze your portions of chicken from home-cooked meals for two months.

Serving Suggestions

Complete with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.
Add some green beans or roasted broccoli on the side.
A drizzle of honey mustard or ranch dressing enhances the dish remarkably.

Pro Tips & Variations

For a lighter option, use plain Greek yogurt rather than sour cream.
A dash of paprika or cayenne pepper will amp up the heat.
Crushed cornflakes would add gluten-free crunch in place of the cracker fare.
Want it cheesier? Toss some shredded cheddar into the cracker topping.

FAQs

1. Is Heavenly Chicken spicy?

Not at all. It’s pleasant and very much child-friendly. Crank up the fire with some cut cayenne or hot sauce in your sour cream.

2. Can I ask if T-bones could work fine?

Sure! Thighs work great and stay super juicy. Just adjust cooking time if needed.

What’s an option for a dairy-free sour cream substitute?

Give it a shot with a dairy-free yogurt or vegan sour cream alternative.

4. Can I make this low-carb?

Drop the crackers in favor of either crushed pork rinds or almond flour.

Give It a Try!

You will know why Heavenly Chicken is one of my favourite convenience dishes after trying it. It is a great, quick, easy, and satisfying dish. I assure you that once you make this once, you will get addicted to it! Let me know how I can help.