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Homemade Crack Chicken Tenders coated in golden breading and sprinkled with herbs, served beside a small dish of creamy dipping sauce.

Crack Chicken Tenders

Crispy, cheesy, ranch-flavored Crack Chicken Tenders loaded with cream cheese, cheddar, and bacon. Juicy inside, crunchy outside, and baked on one sheet pan for an easy family-friendly dinner.
5 from 1 vote
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Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Crack Chicken Tenders, Crack chicken tenders air fryer, Crack chicken tenders recipe, Crack chicken tenders sofia recipes, Crack chicken tenders with cream cheese, Crack chicken tenders with Ritz crackers
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Rest Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 480kcal
Cost: $14

Equipment

  • 1 Rimmed baking sheet (Large enough for a single layer of tenders)
  • 1 Parchment paper (Prevents sticking + easier cleanup)
  • 1 Instant-read thermometer (Ensure chicken reaches 165°F)
  • 1 Wire cooling rack (Optional, for crispier bottoms)
  • 2 Mixing bowls (One for coating, one for toppings)

Ingredients

For the Chicken Base

  • 2 lbs chicken tenders - Pat completely dry
  • 8 oz cream cheese - Softened
  • ½ cup ranch dressing - Or 2 tablespoon ranch seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika

For the Cheesy Topping

  • 1½ cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 6–8 strips bacon - Cooked & crumbled
  • ¼ cup green onions - Sliced
  • Ranch seasoning - Optional for sprinkling

Optional Crispy Coating

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 2 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

  • Pat chicken tenders completely dry with paper towels. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
  • In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, ranch dressing or seasoning, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika until smooth.
  • Spread 2–3 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture over each tender. If using crispy coating, mix panko, Parmesan, butter, and Italian seasoning, then sprinkle over the tenders.
  • Bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes, until tenders reach about 160°F and coating is lightly golden.
  • Remove from the oven and top with shredded cheddar, bacon, and green onions. Return to the oven 3–5 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
  • Let the tenders rest 3–5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with extra ranch seasoning if desired.

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be considered an approximation. Actual values may vary based on specific ingredients used and portion sizes

Nutrition

Serving: 180g | Calories: 480kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 780mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 900IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 260mg | Iron: 1mg