If you’ve never tried Crack Chicken Tenders before, prepare to get hooked. This recipe combines everything we love about comfort food: crispy chicken, creamy ranch, melty cheese, and savory bacon. The result? Tenders so irresistible, they earned the name “crack” for a reason!
Perfect for weeknight dinners, party platters, or game-day bites, these Homemade Crack Chicken Tenders are a cheesy, crunchy, flavor bomb that’s easy to make and even easier to devour. Each bite delivers juicy chicken coated in a layer of ranch-seasoned breadcrumbs, gooey cheddar, and crispy bacon crumbles.
🥓 Ingredients:
- 1½ lbs chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup cooked, crumbled bacon
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix (or 2 tbsp homemade mix)
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: chopped green onions for garnish
🍳 Instructions:
- Marinate: Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for extra tenderness).
- Prep the coating station:
- Bowl 1: Flour mixed with a little salt and pepper
- Bowl 2: Whisked eggs
- Bowl 3: Panko, parmesan, ranch mix, and shredded cheddar cheese
- Dredge: Remove chicken from the buttermilk. Coat in flour, dip in egg, then press into the cheesy breadcrumb mix.
- Bake or Air Fry:
- Oven: Preheat to 400°F (200°C). Place tenders on a greased baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Air Fryer: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping once, until golden and crisp.
- Top it off: Once done, sprinkle the hot tenders with crumbled bacon and a bit more cheddar if desired. Broil for 2–3 minutes to melt everything together.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped green onions and serve with ranch, honey mustard, or buffalo dipping sauce.
Tip: These tenders reheat well in the air fryer—perfect for meal prep or next-day snacking.
Whether you’re cooking for picky eaters or a hungry crowd, Crack Chicken Tenders are a guaranteed hit. They’re crispy, creamy, and downright addictive—you’ve been warned!Tools