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This image shows crispy and golden-brown Crack Chicken Tenders, tender on the inside, served on a plate with a small bowl of ketchup on the side.

Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe

Crack Chicken Tenders are juicy, tender strips of chicken coated in a creamy, flavorful mixture of mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and Ranch seasoning, then dredged in crushed Ritz crackers for a crispy, golden crust. Baked to perfection, they’re irresistibly crunchy and perfect for dipping!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 581 kcal

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper or non-stick spray
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spoon or spatula for mixing
  • Tongs or fork
  • Oven or broiler

Ingredients
  

  • 1 packet Ranch seasoning mix
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 lb chicken tenders
  • 1 cup Ritz crackers crushed
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese grated

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it.
  • In a bowl, mix together mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined.
    This image shows a top-down view of raw chicken tenders being coated in a rich, seasoned mayo mixture for added flavor and moisture.
  • Dip each chicken tender into the mayo mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated.
    This image shows a top-down view of a glass bowl containing a creamy mayo mixture, which will be used to coat the chicken tenders.
  • Roll the coated chicken tenders in crushed Ritz crackers, pressing gently so the crumbs stick.
    This image shows a top-down view of a bowl filled with finely crushed Ritz crackers, ready to be used as a crispy coating for the chicken tenders.
  • Place the coated chicken tenders on the baking sheet, making sure they’re spaced apart.
    This image shows a top-down view of coated chicken tenders being placed on a lined baking sheet, preparing for baking to achieve a crispy texture.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the tenders are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
    This image shows a top-down view of Crack Chicken Tenders baking in the oven, turning golden brown as they cook.
  • For extra crispiness, broil the tenders for an additional 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
    This image shows a top-down view of chicken tenders placed under the broiler to achieve extra crispiness and a deep golden color.
  • Let the chicken tenders cool slightly before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
    This image shows a top-down view of crispy Crack Chicken Tenders served on a plate with a side of dipping sauce, ready to be enjoyed.

Notes

  • Replace mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter version.
  • Swap Ritz crackers for gluten-free crackers.
  • Broil at the end for 1-2 minutes, keeping an eye to avoid burning.