Creamy Cheesy Crack Chicken Tenders

Why Make This Recipe

Crack Chicken Tenders are a delicious and easy dinner choice. These tenders are packed with flavor from cheese, bacon, and ranch seasoning. They make a great meal for busy nights or when you want to impress your family or friends. You can cook them in the oven or an air fryer, making them crispy and tasty.

How to Make Crack Chicken Tenders

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 cup almond flour or breadcrumbs
• 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
• 1 packet Ranch Seasoning Mix (about 1 ounce)
• 2 eggs, beaten

Directions:

1. Preheat Oven or Air Fryer: For the oven, set it to 400°F (200°C). For the air fryer, set it to 390°F (200°C).
2. Prepare the Coating: In a bowl, mix almond flour or breadcrumbs, crushed Ritz crackers, Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Prepare the Cheese Filling: In another bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and crumbled bacon.
4. Stuff the Chicken: Make a small slit in each chicken tender and fill it with the cheese mixture.
5. Coat the Tenders: Dip each stuffed tender in the beaten eggs, then roll it in the breadcrumb-cracker mixture.
6. Cook: For the oven, bake them for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway. For the air fryer, cook for 12–15 minutes, also flipping halfway.
7. Rest and Serve: Let the tenders rest for 2–3 minutes before serving them with your favorite dipping sauce.

How to Serve Crack Chicken Tenders

Crack Chicken Tenders are great on their own or served with dipping sauces like ranch or barbecue. You can pair them with a salad, some vegetables, or even mashed potatoes. They also work well in wraps or sandwiches.

How to Store Crack Chicken Tenders

To store leftover Crack Chicken Tenders, let them cool completely. Place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, you can use the oven or air fryer to keep them crispy.

Tips to Make Crack Chicken Tenders

• Make sure the cream cheese is softened to mix easily.
• Feel free to adjust the spices based on your taste.
• Use fresh bacon for the best flavor.
• If you like a little kick, add some cayenne pepper to the coating mixture.

Variations

You can customize these tenders by changing the cheese used. Pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick or mozzarella for a mild flavor can work well. You can also add herbs like parsley or chives for added freshness.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders?
Yes, you can use chicken breasts, but you’ll need to cut them into strips.

Are these tenders gluten-free?
To make them gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and crackers.

Can I make these tenders ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare them ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Just bake them before serving.

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