Crack Chicken Tenders

Crispy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor thanks to Ranch seasoning, crushed Ritz crackers, and Parmesan!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1½ lbs (680g) chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips

• ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk (or regular milk)

• 1 large egg

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Coating:

• 1½ sleeves Ritz crackers (about 45 crackers), crushed finely

• 1 oz (28g) Ranch seasoning mix (1 packet or 3 tbsp homemade)

• ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese

• 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)

• 1 tsp paprika or smoked paprika (optional)

• Fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

For Serving (Optional):

• Ranch dressing, honey mustard, or spicy mayo for dipping

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

• Rinse and pat dry your chicken tenders.

• In a shallow bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg.

• Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper, then add to the buttermilk mixture. Let sit for 10–15 minutes to marinate slightly while you prepare the coating.

Step 2: Make the Coating

• In another shallow bowl or ziplock bag, mix together:

  • Crushed Ritz crackers

  • Ranch seasoning

  • Grated Parmesan

  • (Optional) Garlic powder & paprika for added depth

Pro Tip: Crushing the crackers into fine crumbs (similar to panko) helps ensure a tight, even coating. You can do this using a food processor or by placing crackers in a zip-top bag and rolling with a rolling pin.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

• One by one, remove chicken pieces from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off.

• Roll or press each piece into the cracker mixture, coating well on all sides.

• Place coated tenders on a wire rack or parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake or Air Fry

To Bake:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

• Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray or brush lightly with oil.

• Place chicken tenders on the sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through (internal temp should be 165°F / 74°C).

To Air Fry:

• Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).

• Spray air fryer basket and chicken tenders lightly with oil.

• Cook in batches for 12–15 minutes, flipping once halfway.

‍ Optional: For extra crispiness, broil the baked tenders for the last 1–2 minutes.

Homemade Ranch Seasoning (if needed)

If you don’t have a packet on hand, mix:

• 1 tbsp dried parsley

• 1 tsp dried dill

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp dried basil

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp paprika

Storage & Reheating

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

• Reheat: Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes or air fry for 5–6 minutes until crispy again.

• Freeze: Freeze breaded (but uncooked) tenders for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen at 400°F for 25–30 mins.

️ Serving Suggestions

Pair your Crack Chicken Tenders with:

• Seasoned fries or sweet potato wedges

• A fresh garden salad or coleslaw

• Mashed potatoes or mac & cheese

• Classic dipping sauces like ranch, BBQ, buffalo, or sriracha mayo

Why They’re Called “Crack” Chicken Tenders

Because they’re addictive! The blend of buttery Ritz crackers, cheesy Parmesan, and tangy Ranch makes every bite irresistible. Kids love them. Adults sneak seconds. They disappear fast!