Crack Chicken Tenders Bacon (Print-Friendly Version)
Tender chicken with cheddar, bacon, ranch, and crispy cracker topping. Savory, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing.
# Ingredients You’ll Need:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
02 -
1 cup buttermilk
→ Cheese and Bacon
03 -
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
04 -
1/2 cup cooked turkey bacon, crumbled
→ Flavoring and Seasoning
05 -
1/2 cup ranch dressing
06 -
1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 -
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 -
Salt, to taste
09 -
Black pepper, to taste
→ Coating
10 -
1 cup crushed Ritz crackers or plain breadcrumbs
→ For Baking
11 -
Cooking spray or olive oil
# How to Make It:
01 -
Place chicken tenders in a large bowl and cover with buttermilk. Let stand covered in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or overnight for maximum tenderness.
02 -
Preheat oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
03 -
Combine shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled turkey bacon, ranch dressing, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well blended.
04 -
Place Ritz crackers in a zip-top bag and crush into fine crumbs. Transfer crumbs to a shallow dish or plate.
05 -
Remove chicken tenders from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Spread a spoonful of the cheese mixture on top of each tender, then press that side into the cracker crumbs to coat.
06 -
Arrange coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Spray tops lightly with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
07 -
Serve tenders warm with extra ranch dressing or dipping sauce of your choice.
# Extra Suggestions:
01 -
Marinating the chicken tenders in buttermilk helps create a tender and juicy texture.
02 -
Allow the chicken to come close to room temperature before baking for even cooking.