Description

These Crack Chicken Tenders are crispy, cheesy, and packed with flavor! Coated in ranch seasoning, bacon, and cheese, they’re oven-baked or air-fried to perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners, game day snacks, or meal prep.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken tenders
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 packet ranch seasoning mix (about 1 oz)
1 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional for crispy version)
1 large egg (for dredging, if using breadcrumbs)
Cooking spray or oil (for baking or air frying)

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (or set air fryer to 375°F).
In a bowl, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, shredded cheddar cheese, and crumbled bacon until well combined.
If using breadcrumbs for a crispy coating:
- Dip each chicken tender in beaten egg.
- Press into the cheese mixture to coat, then roll in panko breadcrumbs.
If skipping breadcrumbs:
- Just coat each tender directly in the cheese mixture.
Place tenders on a greased baking sheet or in air fryer basket.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or air fry for 12–15 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
Let rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

You can substitute turkey bacon or omit it for a lighter version.
Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting.
These reheat well—just pop them in the air fryer for a few minutes.

Nutrition

Serving Size: ~2-3 tenders
Calories: 410
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 820mg
Fat: 31g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 115mg