Crack Chicken Tenders The Ultimate Comfort Food

Recipe Introduction

Quick Hook: Ready for Addictive Crack Chicken Tenders ?

Honestly, have you ever craved something so bad, you felt like you needed it? These crack chicken tenders are that something. We're talking crispy, cheesy, bacon-y heaven.

Brief Overview: From Dip to Delicious Dinner

This recipe takes the famous "Crack Chicken" dip and turns it into a full-blown main course. It's easy enough for a weeknight meal.

Prep takes about 20 minutes, cook time is roughly 25, so you're looking at under an hour. This makes 4 servings of absolute comfort food.

It's inspired by the classic dip, transformed into a satisfying and portable main course.

Main Benefits: Flavor That's Actually Worth It

These are not your average easy chicken tenders . This crack chicken tender recipe will become your new favorite. The combination of flavors is just mind-blowing, plus they're baked! What's not to love, eh?.

Forget boring chicken! This recipe brings the party . This will be a hit with family and friends!.

Crack Chicken Tenders The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe Card

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Preparation time:20 Mins

Cooking time:25 Mins

Servings:4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch thick tenders
• 1 teaspoon (5g) garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon (5g) onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) smoked paprika
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 cup (120g) panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup (60g) shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (about 1/2 cup crumbled)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup (60ml) sour cream
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) ranch dressing
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) melted unsalted butter

Instructions:

• Cut chicken breasts into even-sized tenders. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
• In a large bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing, and melted butter.
• Dip each chicken tender into the Crack coating, ensuring it's fully covered. Then, dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
• Bake (or Fry) the Chicken: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place breaded chicken tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (or lightly greased). Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For extra crispiness, place on a wire rack in the last 5 minutes of cooking. OR Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the tenders in batches, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (about 4-5 minutes per side). Drain on paper towels.
• Let the crack chicken tenders cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Calories:550

Protein:45g

Fat:35g

Carbs:20g

Fiber:0g

Sodium:700mg

Recipe Info

Category:Main Course

Cuisine:American

What You'll Need To Make These Amazing Chicken Tender Recipes Easy

• For the Chicken: Tender chicken is key!. Get 1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut them into 1-inch thick tenders. Season them up! You'll want 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika. Don't forget salt and pepper to taste.
• For the “Crack” Breading: This is where the magic happens. We need 1 cup panko breadcrumbs for that awesome crunch. Add ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Cook 4 slices of bacon until they're crispy then crumble, that's about ½ cup. And now the sauce, use ¼ cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons ranch dressing, and 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter.

Time for the fun part. Let's get into the steps to making these delicious homemade chicken tenders !.

Tips for Next-Level Crispy Chicken Recipes

First up, gently pound the chicken tenders, this help them cook evenly. Make a breading station, chicken, coating, breading, it make life so much easier.

Don’t Overcrowd your pan! Work in batches, the temperature of oven should be around 400° F ( 200° C). When baking or frying, avoid overcrowding the pan.

The chicken internal temperature must be around 165° F ( 74° C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165° F ( 74° C).

Variations for Your Ultimate Baked Chicken Tenders with Bacon

Feeling spicy? Add a pinch of cayenne to the coating for spicy crack chicken . Want it lighter? Sub Greek yogurt for sour cream.

Gluten-free? Use gluten-free panko for breading. If you don't have panko, crushed cornflakes will do in a pinch! Instead ranch use buttermilk, or try a homemade ranch mix.

Right then, let's dive into what you'll need for these crack chicken tenders . Honestly, it's mostly stuff you probably already have hanging around.

I had most of it. Except for the bacon, which, let's be honest, never lasts long in my house!

Ingredients & Equipment

So, you wanna make the best crack chicken tenders ever? Let's gather our goodies! We'll break it down for easy peasy access.

Main Ingredients

Okay, pay attention! Get your measuring spoons and cups ready.

• Chicken : 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Cut them into 1-inch thick tenders. Look for chicken that's nice and pink, not grey or slimy. That's how you know it's fresh!
• Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon (5g) .
• Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon (5g) .
• Smoked Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5g) .
• Salt and Pepper: To taste. Don't be shy!

For that addictive crack chicken coating.

• Panko Breadcrumbs: 1 cup (120g) .
• Grated Parmesan Cheese: 1/2 cup (50g) . Freshly grated is always better. You know?
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 1/2 cup (60g) . Pre-shredded is fine; I won't judge.
• Bacon: 4 slices , cooked crispy and crumbled. About 1/2 cup crumbled . Thick-cut bacon is the way to go.
• Mayonnaise: 1/4 cup (60ml) . Full-fat, please!
• Sour Cream: 1/4 cup (60ml) . Again, full-fat is your friend.
• Ranch Dressing: 2 tablespoons (30ml) . I always have a bottle in the fridge.
• Melted Unsalted Butter: 2 tablespoons (30ml) .

Seasoning Notes

This is where the magic happens, innit?. We're aiming for that perfect balance of smoky, savory, and creamy.

• Essential Spice Combination: Garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika are a must. This makes a homemade chicken tenders that your friends and family will fall in love with.
• Flavor Enhancers: The Parmesan and cheddar add a salty, cheesy punch. The bacon? Well, bacon speaks for itself.
• Quick Subs: No ranch? A bit of buttermilk dressing works wonders.

Equipment Needed

Don't stress about fancy gear. A few basics will do. We're making easy chicken tenders here, not rocket science!

• Baking Sheet.
• Parchment Paper (optional, for easier cleanup. Trust me, it's worth it).
• Shallow Dishes or Bowls (for breading).
• Meat Mallet (optional, for flattening the chicken. Makes 'em cook quicker and more evenly).
• Wire Rack (optional, for extra crispy chicken tender recipes baked ).

Honestly, you probably have everything already. Now, get cracking (another pun intended!)

Cooking Method: Crack Chicken Tenders – Seriously Addictive!

Alright, mates, let's chat about these utterly divine crack chicken tenders . Honestly, you won't believe how easy and addictive they are.

It's a homemade chicken tender dream. Think bacon cheddar ranch chicken tenders but even better . I'm not joking when I say this crack chicken tender recipe will become a family favourite! Forget your usual boring chicken tender recipes easy – this is next level.

I found a recipe once that was similar, from Allrecipes, but it just didn't quite have that oomph. So, I tweaked it, and BAM! Magic.

Prep Steps: The Secret to Success

First things first, get your mise en place sorted. This means chopping your bacon, grating your cheese, and getting your chicken ready.

Prepping ingredients saves you a ton of time later. It's like having all your paintbrushes ready before you start painting, innit ? I always make sure the work area is clean, just a habit.

You don’t want to accidentally drop a perfectly good piece of bacon. Time-saving tip : Cook the bacon ahead of time!

Step-by-Step to Crispy Chicken Recipes

Ready to get cracking? Here's how to make these easy chicken tenders :

1. Cut your chicken into strips and season 'em.
2. Mix panko, parmesan, cheddar, and cooked bacon crumbs.
3. Whisk mayo, sour cream, ranch dressing, and melted butter.
4. Dip chicken in the wet mix, then in the panko mix.
5. Bake at 400° F ( 200° C) for 20- 25 minutes , internal 165° F ( 74° C) .

See? Super simple! And if you prefer the baked chicken tenders with bacon to have fried texture, use the same method with your frying pan and fry for approximately 4- 5 minutes per side.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Addictive Chicken Tender Recipe

Want these crack chicken tenders to be extra special? Pound the chicken a bit to make it even. Also, don’t overcrowd the baking sheet! Overcrowding prevents that golden brown crisp we all are craving.

For a super creamy chicken tender recipe , don't be shy with the mayo and sour cream. I usually make a double batch! You've been warned – they disappear fast.

Recipe Notes for the Best Crack Chicken Tenders

Right, let's dive into some extra bits for making these crack chicken tenders absolutely banging . Honestly, these aren't your average, boring easy chicken tenders . We're talking next level here.

Serving Up Some Style

So, you've made these amazing crack chicken tenders , now what? Plating is key, mate. Think about it – presentation matters! I like to arrange them on a platter with a ramekin of ranch dressing.

A sprinkle of fresh parsley? Oh my gosh, chef's kiss! On the side I also use coleslaw or corn.

For sides, think balance. The bacon cheddar ranch chicken tenders are rich, so a light, fresh salad is perfect. And don’t forget a cracking beverage.

A crisp lager or a glass of lemonade would do the trick.

Storage SOS!

Got leftovers? Lucky you! These homemade chicken tenders can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just make sure they're in an airtight container, yeah?

Freezing is also an option. Freeze the cooked tenders on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. This stops them sticking together.

They'll keep for up to a month, but they're best eaten sooner.

Reheating? Oven's best to keep them crispy. A quick zap in the microwave will do if you're really impatient though.

Remixing Your Tenders

Fancy a twist? Easy peasy! For a low-carb version, use crushed pork rinds instead of panko. Honestly, you'd be hard pressed to find a better crispy chicken recipes

If you want a healthier option try baking them with panko instead frying, this way you have your Chicken Tender Recipes Baked

Got some leftover summer corn? Chuck it into the breading! It adds a lovely sweetness. Autumn? Use some roasted butternut squash as a side!

Nutrition Nuggets

Okay, let's talk ish . These addictive chicken tender recipe are a treat, right? But what's the damage? Each serving is roughly 550 calories.

You get a good whack of protein (45g) and some fat (35g). Carbs are around 20g.

The protein is good for building muscle. The fat gives you energy. And the carbs... well, they make it taste delicious. Everything in moderation, eh?

So there you have it! All my tips and tricks for nailing these crack chicken tenders . Whether you're baking or frying, remember the key is bacon, bacon, bacon ! Now go get cooking, you absolute legend! I promise it'll be one of your favorite Chicken Tender Recipes Easy .