This Baked Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders Recipe is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hidden Valley®. The opinions and text are all mine.
Incredibly tender, juicy flavorful Baked Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders coated in the most AMAZING ranch/cheese cracker breading! These chicken tenders are so finger-lickin’-good they will fly off the plate!
Years ago, on my 30th birthday, my sister, Kimberly, (my same amazing sister who donated her kidney to me) gifted me a huge basket bursting with 30 of her favorite things – favorite books, favorite water bottle, favorite ice cream, favorite chocolate, favorite seasonings etc. One of those favorite things, which has now become one of my favorite things is/was Hidden Valley® Original Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix shaker!
I had seen the Hidden Valley dressing packets but never thought of having the Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix shaker on hand – but now I can’t live without it! You can add delicious ranch flavor to any dish (think chicken, popcorn, veggies, rice, etc.) with a couple shakes of Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning without having to add any caloric ranch dressing and it’s made with no artificial preservatives !
This seasoning is convenient, pantry-friendly and easily transforms everyday meals into flavor bursting dishes. A few of my favorite recipes which are 100% not sponsored but I made with Hidden Valley® Original Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix because I love the product so much are Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Foil Packets with Ranch Crema, Skinny Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta, Lightened Up Bacon Ranch Chicken Chowder and Baked Fiesta Ranch Chicken Tacos.
I buy my Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix shaker at my local super Walmart which makes shopping easy with everything I need all in one place. Be sure to check out Walmart.com for more recipe ideas!
But the recipe you want to make first are these Baked Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders! These Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders aren’t your ordinary chicken tenders. They are SO juicy and flavorful from first marinating in a Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning buttermilk bath. They are then coated in a delectable breading of crushed butter crackers, cheese crackers, shredded cheese, more ranch seasoning, paprika and salt. Can we say AH-mazing?!
Yes, yes we can. The breading is bursting with such multidimensional texture and flavors you won’t be able to stop eating. I just couldn’t stop eating.
One quick note – because we are dealing with baked cracker crumbs instead of all panko, the breading will be layered with flavor but don’t expect it to be super crispy. Just expect it to be deeeeelicious.
The crowning glory of these already heavenly Baked Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders is the silky, creamy Ranch Dip. To make, it’s just a quick whisking of sour cream, mayonnaise, our Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix and a splash of milk. I am pretty sure this Ranch Dip is the secret to happiness. Or at least to deliciousness.
Baked Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders. Dip on.
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Baked Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders
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Ingredients
- 10 chicken tenderloins
Marinade
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon Hidden Valley® Original Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Breading
Ranch Dip
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon milk or more to taste
- 2 teaspoons Hidden Valley® Original Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix
Instructions
- Mix Marinade ingredients in a freezer size plastic bag. Add chicken and marinate in the refrigerator 2-8 hours.
- Meanwhile, whisk together all of the Ranch Dip ingredients in a medium bowl. Store in the refrigerator.
- When ready to prepare, remove chicken from refrigerator. Line a baking sheet with a baking rack and spray rack with nonstick cooking spray.
- Prepare breading by grinding crackers to the size of panko breadcrumbs. Add all breading ingredients to a large bowl and mix to combine.
- Working with one chicken tenderloin at a time, remove from buttermilk with left hand and allow excess marinade to drip off (or I like to dab with a paper towel) and add to breading. With you clean right hand, firmly press breading into chicken. Add to greased baking rack. Lightly spray chicken with nonstick cooking spray. Repeat.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 12-18 minutes depending on size (until fully cooked/internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F) then broil to desired crispiness.
- Serve with Ranch Dip.
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Hidden Valley®. The opinions and text are all mine.
Carlsbad Cravings© Original
Rakib says
Looks so Great!! Appreciate your Recipe also appreciate your photography. Can’t wait to try this
Jen says
You are so welcome! I’m excited for you to try them!
Denise says
Looks scrumptious ! Will definitely give this a try..I’m sure it will be a favorite of the grandkids . Thank you for the great recipes .
Jen says
Thanks Denise! And yes, I think the grandkids will love it!!!
Nancy says
What are butter crackers? —Nancy in La Jolla!!
Jen says
Hi Nancy! I use Ritz crackers 🙂
layne says
I would have never thought to use these crackers together! Tasted amazing!
Jen says
yay! I’m so happy you loved it! Chicken is always better with a yummy breading!
Willis says
Would the breading end up more crispy if cooked on the stovetop in butter or oil? Hoping for some crispy chicken tenders.
Jen says
Yes! I did i this way for lower fat content but you are welcome to cook it on the stove – yum!
Mary Tognazzini says
I’LL SAVE ALL THE RECIPES AND TO PINTEREST. I CANT FIND YOUR RECIPE FOR STUFFING/DRESSING . I MADE IT TWO FOR YEARS FOR THANKSGIVING AND THOUGHT I SAVED IT, AND NOW I CAN’T FIND IT. HELP! AND THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WONDERFUL RECIPES.
Jen says
I’m so pleased you loved my recipe! If you ever can’t find a recipe, I suggest googling “Carlsbad cravings + ____” and it should come up ;). Here is the stuffing: https://carlsbadcravings.com/cornbread-sausage-stuffing-recipe/ Enjoy!
Shelly Williamson says
I made your Enchiladas last night and my son said it was the best thing I’ve ever made! What kind of cheese crackers do you prefer?
Jen says
That is awesome Shelly, I’m thrilled the enchiladas were such a hit! I like Cheez-It Grooves for this recipe but I’m sure any cheese crackers would be tasty.
Andrea says
These were a huge hit in my house, from the 3 yr old to the 14 yr old! We did them in the AirFryer (for anyone else curious if that works), ended up fairly crispy. 400° for 5 minutes on each side got the best results!
Jen says
Thank you so much for the awesome review Andrea, I’m so pleased they were a hit! Thank you for the air fryer info!
Madeline says
These were so easy and so good! I didn’t make the dip as we usually have ranch on hand. They were so tender and flavorful we didn’t need or miss the dip. My son declared this chicken to be perfect.
Jen says
Yay! Thank you so much, Madeline! I am so happy you and your son enjoyed this chicken even without the dip!