Description
Crack Chicken Tenders are juicy, oven-baked chicken strips coated in a savory blend of mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Ranch seasoning, and buttery crushed Ritz crackers. They bake up golden brown and crispy without frying, making them an easy, crowd-pleasing comfort food.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders (about 8–10 pieces)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 ounce (1 packet) dry Ranch seasoning mix
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers (about 20 crackers)
- Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing the baking sheet
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
- In a medium bowl, mix mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
- Place crushed Ritz crackers in a shallow dish.
- Pat chicken tenders dry and season lightly with salt and pepper, if desired.
- Dip each tender in the mayonnaise mixture to coat evenly, letting excess drip off.
- Roll each coated tender in crushed crackers, pressing gently to adhere crumbs.
- Arrange tenders on the prepared baking sheet, spaced evenly apart.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through (165°F/74°C internal temperature).
- For extra crispiness, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching carefully.
- Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or sour cream for a lighter option.
- Add cayenne or smoked paprika to the coating for a spicy twist.
- Use crushed cornflakes or panko instead of Ritz crackers for different textures.
- Reheat in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness—avoid microwaving.
- Freeze cooked tenders for up to 3 months; bake from frozen to reheat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2–3 tenders
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
