Description
These Crack Chicken Tenders are a crispy, cheesy, and creamy delight that everyone will love. With a crunchy panko coating and a flavorful ranch and cream cheese mixture, these tenders are packed with savory goodness. The crumbled meat topping adds the perfect finishing touch, making this recipe ideal for snacks, appetizers, or a main dish. Easy to prepare and sure to be a crowd-pleaser, Crack Chicken Tenders are the ultimate comfort food for any occasion.
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs chicken tenders
1 cup ranch dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
½ cup cooked and crumbled meat (e.g., bacon, sausage)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp paprika
¼ tsp black pepper
Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly coat the parchment with cooking spray.
- Prepare Coating Mixture: In a bowl, mix the cream cheese, ranch dressing, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Coating Station: Spread the panko breadcrumbs out on a plate for easy coating.
- Coat the Chicken: Coat each chicken tender generously with the cream cheese mixture, then roll it in the panko breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
- Arrange and Top: Place the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet and sprinkle crumbled meat on top of each tender.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve: Serve warm, optionally with extra ranch dressing for dipping.
Notes
Leftover Crack Chicken Tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or in an air fryer to maintain crispiness.
For a quicker reheat, try the air fryer to keep the coating crispy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 servings
- Calories: 350 kcal (per serving)
