Description
These Crack Chicken Tenders are crispy, cheesy, and packed with bacon and ranch flavor! They can be baked or air-fried for a delicious, easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, game day, or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Tenders
- 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk (for marination)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
For the Coating
- 1 cup crushed pork rinds or Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
For the Crack Mixture
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- ½ cup ranch dressing
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese (softened)
Optional Dipping Sauces
- Ranch dressing
- Honey mustard sauce
- Buffalo sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a mixing bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Add chicken tenders to the buttermilk mixture and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours for extra tenderness).
Step 2: Prepare the Coating
- In a separate bowl, mix together:
- Crushed pork rinds or Panko breadcrumbs
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and dried parsley
- Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
- Remove chicken tenders from the buttermilk marinade and let excess liquid drip off.
- Dredge each tender in the coating mixture, pressing firmly to ensure a thick, even layer.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Arrange tenders in a single layer in the basket.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown.
Oven Method
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet for even crisping.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping once halfway.
Step 5: Make the Crack Topping
- In a bowl, mix together:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Cooked crumbled bacon
- Ranch dressing
- Cream cheese (softened)
- Spread the mixture over the cooked chicken tenders.
Step 6: Melt and Serve
- Return the tenders to the oven or air fryer for 2-3 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Let them rest for 5 minutes, then serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-coat the chicken by dipping it in buttermilk twice.
- For a spicier version, add hot sauce or extra cayenne to the buttermilk marinade.
- To make it gluten-free, use crushed pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs.
- For meal prep, store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in the air fryer or oven for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer or Main Dish
- Method: Baked or Air Fried
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tenders
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 8g (varies with coating)
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg