Crack Chicken Tenders – Easy Dinner Recipe
These addictive Crack Chicken Tenders feature juicy chicken coated in a tangy Greek yogurt ranch mixture, then rolled in a crispy cheese and Ritz cracker crust. Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re the ultimate family-friendly dinner that’s better than any restaurant version.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½pounds chicken tenders
- 1 cupplain Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise)
- 1packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cupshredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cupgrated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cupcrushed Ritz crackers (or panko breadcrumbs)
- ½ teaspoongarlic powder
- 1 teaspoonpaprika
- ¼ teaspoonblack pepper
- Olive oil or cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray with cooking oil.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt and ranch seasoning until smooth.
- In a separate shallow dish, combine cheddar cheese, Parmesan, crushed Ritz crackers, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper.
- Dip each chicken tender in yogurt mixture, coating completely. Let excess drip off.
- Press coated tender firmly into cheese-cracker mixture, turning to coat all sides.
- Place on prepared baking sheet with space between pieces. Spray tops with cooking spray.
- Bake 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Let rest 2-3 minutes before serving with favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
Use room temperature chicken for even cooking
Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-packaged
Don’t skip the cooking spray for optimal crispiness
For extra crispy tenders, bake on a wire rack
Can be coated 4 hours in advance and refrigerated
For keto version, replace crackers with crushed pork rinds
Air fryer option: 375°F for 12-15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 2g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Protein: 28g