What’s the Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe I make when life’s chaotic but love’s still on the table? This one. I watched my mom cook tired but proud, using what we had to feed us well.
Now I do the same with easy chicken dinner recipes like this that turn leftovers into joy. It’s fast, comforting, perfect for quick weeknight dinners, and one of my favorite high protein low carb recipes.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Crispy Chicken, Crushed Crackers, and the Kind of Day That Needs Dinner to Show Up
- It’s my quick weeknight chicken fix when energy runs out.
- Mom didn’t measure just ranch, mayo, and a little love.
- Now I do the same. Chicken tenders. Crushed crackers. Care.
The Ingredients Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 packet Ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
Instructions Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease it.
Stuffani’s tip: If you’ve ever scrubbed melted cheese off a sheet pan at 10 PM, you’ll never skip the parchment again. It’s your quiet kitchen win.
Step 2: Mix the Coating
In a bowl, stir together mayonnaise, Parmesan, Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
Kitchen truth: This mixture may not look fancy but it’s where all the flavor lives. It’s creamy, tangy, and secretly keeps the chicken from drying out.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Dip each chicken tender into the mayo mixture, coating fully. Then press into the crushed Ritz crackers until both sides are covered.
Stuffani’s advice: Don’t just tap it in crumbs press. That crunch only comes if you commit. Think of it like sealing in the love.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Place tenders on the baking sheet. Bake 20–25 minutes or until the coating is golden and the chicken reaches 165°F inside.
Real-life whisper: Don’t keep opening the oven. Trust the timer. And the smell? That’s your sign. Dinner’s almost ready, and everyone will come running.
If you’re like me, you’ll want to pair this with Cheesy Beef and Potato Burritos or a side of Comforting Cheesy Taco Potatoes to make it feel like a full meal. But honestly? These tenders hold their own.
Ways to Make It Yours, One Crisp Bite at a Time
- Some nights, I follow this Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe like it’s gospel.
- Other nights, it’s just a jar of mayo, crushed crackers, and me hoping dinner turns out kind.
Quick swaps from your fridge, not the store
Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe:
- No chicken tenders? Slice chicken breasts thin it works just fine.
- No Ritz crackers? Try crushed cornflakes or panko they crisp up beautifully.
- Low on mayo? Greek yogurt or sour cream brings the same tangy moisture.
- Want a high-protein twist? Serve with Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Shrimp for double the flavor.
Stuffani’s whisper: I’ve made this with crushed pretzels once. No one blinked.
Because what they’re tasting isn’t just chicken it’s effort. And effort tastes like love.
Little touches that make it feel like yours
Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe:
- Want more crunch? Add crushed almonds or pecans to the coating.
- Need spice? Mix cayenne or chili powder into the mayo blend.
- Serving kids? Pair with ranch dip and call it nugget night they’ll cheer.
- Round out the plate with Sloppy Joe Potato Skillet for a budget win.
Stuffani’s advice: This isn’t the best chicken tenders recipe because it’s perfect.
It’s the best because it works. On tired days. On real days.
High protein low carb recipes don’t have to be bland they just need care.
Serving and Storing Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe
- This is the kind of recipe that shows up when life’s too full.
- Busy weeknights. School lunches. After-practice hunger that hits hard and fast.
How to serve the best Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe
Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe:
- Serve straight from the oven or let them rest they’re still perfect.
- Dip in ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo if you’re feeling bold.
- Slice into wraps with lettuce and tomato for a quick lunch fix.
- Or pair with Crockpot Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese for a full-family meal.
Stuffani’s Note: These saved my sanity one Monday night. I served them with chips, carrot sticks, and peace. The whole table went quiet except for the crunch.
How to store them the right way (and still crave them later)
Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe:
- Let them cool on a wire rack don’t rush, or you’ll lose the crunch.
- Stack with parchment paper between each one to keep the coating crisp.
- Wrap in foil and seal in an airtight container. Refrigerate 3–4 days.
- Or freeze in a single layer, then reheat in the oven for fresh-again magic.
Stuffani’s whisper: I tuck a few in the freezer just for me.
Some cheap easy dinners are more than meals they’re little lifelines in the chaos.
For more recipes follow me in pinterest and Facebook
FAQs Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe
What does Cracker Barrel marinate their chicken tenders in?
They use a mix of Italian dressing, honey, and spices similar to easy chicken dinner recipes at home.
How do you get seasoning to stick to chicken tenders?
Use a mayo base or egg wash perfect for high protein low carb recipes like this.
Can I make these in an air fryer?
Yes! Air fry at 375°F for 12–14 minutes for a crispy, healthy family chicken recipe.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Absolutely just slice them thin for cheap easy dinners that still feel special.
Conclusion Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe
- This Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe isn’t just a meal it’s a memory waiting to happen.
- It’s for tired parents, hungry kids, and quiet kitchens with crumbs and calm.
- Quick, crunchy, protein-packed, and loved every time it’s one of those family chicken recipes that never lets me down.
Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Crack Chicken Tenders are crispy, juicy, and coated in a cheesy ranch-seasoned crust perfect for quick weeknight dinners and kid-approved comfort food.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken tenders
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 packet Ranch seasoning mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Pan
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or lightly grease it.
Step 2: Mix the Coating
In a bowl, stir together mayonnaise, Parmesan, Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Dip each chicken tender into the mayo mixture, coating fully. Then press into the crushed Ritz crackers until both sides are covered.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Place tenders on the baking sheet. Bake 20–25 minutes or until the coating is golden and the chicken reaches 165°F inside.
Notes
To make these even crispier, bake them on a wire rack placed over the sheet.
For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne to the mayo mix.
Perfect for meal prep store leftovers in the fridge and reheat in the oven for crunch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tenders
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Easy Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe, kid-friendly chicken dinner, high protein low carb chicken
