Crack Chicken Tenders: Your New Favorite Party Snack!
Crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor—your next go-to party hit!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking or Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ½ cup ranch dressing (plus more for dipping)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine crushed Ritz or panko, bacon bits, cheddar, garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt for that loaded crunch factor and bold flavor punch.
- First dip the chicken tenders into beaten eggs, then coat them in the cheesy crumb mix.
- Lay tenders on a greased baking sheet (or in the air fryer) and bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes until golden, crispy, and fully cooked.
- Once out of the oven, hit them with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for a fresh flavor pop.
- Serve hot with ranch or your favorite dipping sauce for the ultimate cheesy chicken snack.
Notes
- For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs.
- Can be made in an air fryer for a quicker option.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: ~420
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: ~28g
- Cholesterol: N/A