Description
Crack Chicken Tenders are crispy, cheesy, and full of creamy ranch flavor. Juicy chicken tenders are coated in a Greek yogurt and ranch mixture, then crusted with cheddar, Parmesan, and buttery crumbs for the perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds chicken tenders, trimmed
1 cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Olive oil or cooking spray
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or cooking spray.
2. In one bowl, mix Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise) with ranch seasoning.
3. In a second bowl, combine cheddar, Parmesan, crushed crackers, garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.
4. Dip chicken tenders in the yogurt mixture until coated.
5. Press each tender into the cheese-cracker mix for even coating.
6. Place tenders on the baking sheet and spray tops lightly with oil.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
8. Serve hot with ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese for better flavor and melting.
Do not overload the coating—keep it even for a crispy crust.
Add cayenne or Italian herbs to change up the flavor.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F to restore crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg