Go Back
–+ servings
Delicious Crack Chicken Tenders served with a side of dipping sauce

Crack Chicken Tenders

Crispy and cheesy chicken tenders coated with a tangy yogurt-ranch mixture and baked to perfection, making them a quick and fun meal for the whole family.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken Tenders
  • 1.5 pounds chicken tenders Use boneless skinless chicken tenders for best results.
Coating Mixture
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt You can substitute with mayonnaise for a richer taste.
  • 1 ounce ranch seasoning mix One packet.
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese Use low-moisture cheddar for less greasiness.
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 0.5 cup crushed Ritz crackers Can use panko breadcrumbs for more crunch.
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.25 teaspoon paprika
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • to taste cooking spray or olive oil For greasing the baking sheet.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly grease it or use a wire rack on the sheet for extra crisping.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt (or mayo) with the ranch seasoning until smooth and fully blended.
  3. In a shallow dish, combine the shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, crushed crackers, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Mix to distribute the spices.
Coating
  1. Working one at a time, coat each chicken tender in the yogurt mixture, shaking off excess.
  2. Press both sides of the tender into the cheese-and-cracker mix so the coating adheres.
Baking
  1. Place the coated tenders on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece for air circulation.
  2. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray or brush with a bit of olive oil.
  3. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the exterior is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  4. Let rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 450mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1g

Notes

These tenders are perfect pair with salads or roasted vegetables. For dipping, plain Greek yogurt mixed with ranch or honey-mustard are great choices. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!