Queso de Manchego-Crusted Chicken Skewers
- Bobbi Jo Lathan
- 56 minutes ago
- 2 min read
I love Manchego cheese. The chicken skewers in the photo are coated with Manchego cheese and a crunchy crust made from Ritz Crackers. Nabisco introduced Ritz Crackers to the Philadelphia and Baltimore markets on November 21, 1934.These tasty crackers were really popular from the get-go, due to their light and buttery flavor. Of course, it didn’t hurt that, at the time, the crackers sold for only 19 cents per box.
However, this was right after the Great Depression. It is thought that the name Ritz Crackers appealed to Depression-weary Americans, because it conjured up in their minds images of New York’s luxurious Ritz-Carlton Hotel. Within three years, this delicious buttery cracker became such a huge success that it had become the best- selling cracker in the world! So, thanks, Ritz Crackers, for allowing us all to share in the taste of your great AMERICAN success!
Queso de Manchego-Crusted Chicken Skewers
Recipe by: Bobbi Jo Lathan
Recipe type: Appetizer or Entrée
Cuisine: Skewers
Serves: 6-8
PREP TIME
15 mins
COOK TIME
40 mins
INGREDIENTS
3 sticks butter, melted
45 to 50 Ritz (or your favorite butter-flavored) crackers
½ cup Manchego cheese, freshly grated
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh basil, finely chopped
1 teaspoon parsley, finely chopped
1½ lbs. chicken breast, cut into 2-inch chunks
12 to 14 wooden skewers (bamboo is best)
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat your oven to 350°.
2. Melt the butter in a saucepan and set it aside.
3. Grind the crackers in your food processor. (Or place the crackers in a plastic bag and roll with a rolling pin until crushed.) Measure out 2 cups’ worth.
4. Add the cheese, spices, and herbs to the 2 cups of cracker crumbles and pour onto a cookie sheet.
5. Pour the butter into a 9” x 13” dish.
6. Skewer the chicken pieces, fitting 4 chunks onto each skewer, and then dip each skewer into the butter. Roll the skewer in the cracker mixture until it’s nicely coated.
7. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, turning over once after 10 minutes. The skewers will be golden-brown when done.
8. To serve, arrange on a platter. Yummy-tummy tapas for all your guests!