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+ servings

Baked Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders

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!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 42 minutes
Servings 10 chickden tenders

Ingredients

  • 10 chicken tenderloins

Marinade

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon Hidden Valley® Original Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Breading

  • 3/4 cup Ritz crackers (12 crackers approx. 1/2 cup crumbs)
  • 3/4 cup cheese crackers (42 crackers approx. 1/2 cup crumbs)
  • 1/2 cup panko
  • 1/2 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • pinch cayenne optional

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.