Description
Crack Chicken Tenders deliver pure comfort right to your dinner table with crispy, seasoned goodness that’ll make your family cheer. Succulent chicken coated in a creamy ranch blend guarantees clean plates and happy smiles around your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken tenders
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
- 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers
- 1 cup bacon bits
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup sour cream
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Create a luscious coating by whisking 1 cup ranch dressing, 1 cup sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and 1 cup bacon bits in a large mixing bowl until thoroughly blended.
- Submerge each chicken tender completely in the creamy mixture, ensuring total coverage on all sides.
- Prepare a shallow dish with 2 cups crushed Ritz crackers, mixing in 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp black pepper, and ½ tsp salt.
- Gently press each ranch-soaked tender into the seasoned cracker mixture, rolling to create a complete crispy exterior.
- Arrange your coated tenders on a greased baking sheet, keeping slight separation between pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Heat your oven to precisely 400°F, positioning the rack in the center.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, checking that your tenders turn a gorgeous golden brown.
- Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer for perfect doneness.
- Allow tenders to rest 5 minutes after removing from oven, which helps seal in delicious juices.
- Sprinkle additional bacon bits across the top for an extra layer of crunch and salty flavor.
- Serve immediately with a side of cool ranch dressing for dipping pleasure.
Notes
- Switch to low-fat ranch and sour cream if watching calories, but keep the delicious flavor profile intact.
- Gluten-free diners can replace Ritz crackers with crushed gluten-free crackers or seasoned almond flour for the perfect crispy coating.
- For extra crispiness, let the coated tenders sit uncovered in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking to help the breading set.
- When checking the internal temperature, use a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the tender to ensure safe and juicy results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-22 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 523 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 845 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg