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Crack Chicken Tenders

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Crack Chicken Tenders are tender chicken strips stuffed with a creamy, cheesy filling blended with ranch seasoning and bacon bits, then coated in a crispy golden crust. This quick and easy recipe delivers a flavorful, kid-friendly comfort food perfect for snacks, main courses, or party appetizers. Enjoy a satisfying combination of creamy, cheesy goodness wrapped in a crunchy exterior, adaptable for baking or frying and customizable for various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Filling

  • 1 lb fresh chicken tenders
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened (room temperature)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup bacon bits
  • 1 tbsp ranch seasoning mix

Coating and Seasoning

  • 1 cup flour or breadcrumbs (use gluten-free if preferred)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Oil or butter for frying

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Lightly season each tender with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for an aromatic base layer.
  2. Mix the Creamy Filling: In a bowl, blend together the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning mix, and bacon bits until smooth and well combined to create the rich filling.
  3. Stuff and Coat the Chicken: Spread or pipe the cheese mixture onto each chicken tender, then carefully roll or fold to enclose the filling. Thoroughly dredge each stuffed tender in flour or breadcrumbs, ensuring an even coating on all sides. For extra crispiness, consider double-coating by dipping tenders in egg wash before the breadcrumb layer.
  4. Cook to Perfection: Heat oil or melted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Fry each tender for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively, place tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
  5. Serve Warm: Remove the tenders from heat and let them rest for a few minutes to allow the cheese filling to set slightly. Serve hot for the best melty, crispy experience.

Notes

  • Use room temperature cream cheese for a smoother filling without lumps.
  • Don’t overfill chicken tenders to ensure they hold their shape and cook evenly.
  • Double-coat tenders by dipping in egg wash before breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
  • Maintain medium oil temperature to cook tenders thoroughly without burning the crust.
  • Let tenders rest briefly after cooking to prevent filling from spilling out.

Nutrition

Keywords: crack chicken tenders, cheesy chicken, stuffed chicken tender recipe, crispy chicken tenders, cheesy comfort food, baked chicken tenders

Find it online: https://emillycooks.com/crack-chicken-tenders/