Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or use a Pampered Chef stone for even baking and easy cleanup.
Prepare the Coating: Place the saltine crackers in a resealable bag and crush them into fine crumbs using a rolling pin or the bottom of a cup. Transfer the crumbs to a shallow bowl and mix in the garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined — this gives the chicken a perfectly seasoned, crunchy coating.
Dip the Chicken: Pour the ranch dressing into a separate bowl. Dip each piece of chicken into the ranch dressing, coating it thoroughly on all sides.
Coat with Crackers: Roll the ranch-coated chicken pieces in the seasoned cracker crumbs, pressing lightly to help the crumbs adhere. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece so they crisp evenly.
Add the Butter: Melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop, then drizzle a small amount over each chicken piece. You don’t need much — just enough to help the coating turn golden and flavorful while baking.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the size of your chicken pieces. The chicken is done when it’s golden brown on the outside and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. It’s perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with ranch flavor.
