Description
The ultimate crowd-pleasing dinner featuring juicy chicken strips coated in a savory, zesty ranch and Parmesan cream, then dredged in buttery crushed crackers. These golden-brown, oven-baked tenders offer a ‘shatter-crisp’ crunch that is truly addictive.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 packet Ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Binder: Whisk together mayonnaise, Parmesan, Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
Coat: Dip each chicken tender into the mayonnaise mixture until fully coated on all sides.
Dredge: Press the coated tenders into the crushed Ritz crackers, ensuring the buttery crumbs adhere firmly.
Bake: Arrange on the baking sheet with space between pieces. Bake for 20–25 minutes until deep golden brown and internal temp is 165°F.
Rest: Allow to rest for 3–5 minutes before serving to let the crust set.
Notes
The Mayo Secret: The mayonnaise acts as a moisture-locking barrier, keeping the chicken succulent while providing the fat needed to crisp the crackers in the oven.
Cracker Texture: For the best crunch, leave some pea-sized chunks in your cracker crumbs rather than processing them into a fine powder.
Air Circulation: For a 360-degree crunch, bake the tenders on a wire rack placed over the baking sheet to allow hot air to circulate underneath.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3–4 tenders
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 940
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 20
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
- Cholesterol: 85
Keywords: crack chicken tenders, ritz cracker chicken, ranch parmesan chicken, easy weeknight dinners, crispy baked chicken strips