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Cheddar Bacon Ranch Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 40 reviews
  • Author: Mariam
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Cheddar Bacon Ranch Baked Chicken Tenders are a crispy, flavorful twist on classic chicken tenders. Coated in a savory blend of panko breadcrumbs, sharp cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and ranch seasoning, then baked to golden perfection, these tenders make a perfect appetizer or main dish. Served with ranch dressing for dipping, they promise a delicious and satisfying meal everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Coating Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 oz dry ranch dip mix
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup crispy panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon, chopped or bacon bits

Main Ingredient

  • 14 oz boneless skinless chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips, about 7-8 strips)

    • Dipping Sauce

    • Ranch dressing for dipping

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray and set it aside to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare Coating Mixtures: In one shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and dry ranch dip mix, stirring well. In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the egg lightly. In a large Ziplock bag, combine the panko bread crumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, and chopped cooked bacon, mixing or shaking to blend evenly. Arrange the flour mixture, egg bowl, and the panko mixture bag in a line for easy dipping and coating.
  3. Coat the Chicken Tenders: Take each chicken tender and first dip it into the flour and ranch seasoning mixture, patting lightly to ensure thorough coating. Next, dip it into the egg wash, allowing any excess egg to drip off. Finally, place it into the Ziplock bag containing the panko, cheese, and bacon mixture.
  4. Shake to Fully Coat: Seal the Ziplock bag securely and shake vigorously, pressing and turning the bag gently to make sure all chicken tenders are completely coated with the cheesy panko mixture.
  5. Arrange for Baking: Place the coated chicken tenders evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops of the coated tenders with olive oil spray to help them crisp up while baking.
  6. Bake the Tenders: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, turning the tenders once halfway through baking, until the chicken is cooked through and white in the center.
  7. Optional Broil for Extra Crispiness: For an extra crispy coating, switch your oven to broil and cook the tenders an additional 2-4 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
  8. Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot with ranch dressing for dipping. Enjoy your savory and crispy cheddar bacon ranch chicken tenders!

Notes

  • Make sure the chicken tenders reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked.
  • Using olive oil spray on the baking sheet and tops of tenders helps achieve a golden, crispy coating without added fat from frying.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and panko with gluten-free alternatives.
  • Leftover chicken tenders can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
  • The broiling step is optional but recommended for extra crunchy texture.

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Find it online: https://quickcookingmagic.com/cheddar-bacon-ranch-baked-chicken-tenders-recipe/