Description
These Cheez-It Chicken Tenders are crispy, flavorful, and ready in just 20 minutes! With a crunchy Cheez-It cracker coating, this easy recipe is a hit with kids and adults alike. Perfect as a main dish, snack, or party appetizer.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups Cheez-It Crackers (regular, not low-fat)
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 to 1.25 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- Ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, ketchup, or other dips for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
- Make the Coating:
- Place Cheez-It crackers in a large zip-top bag. Seal the bag and crush the crackers into fine crumbs using your fist, a rolling pin, or a similar object.
- Add the panko breadcrumbs to the bag, mix, and set aside.
- Coat the Chicken:
- In a medium bowl, beat the egg with salt and pepper. Add the chicken tenders and toss until evenly coated.
- Remove the chicken from the egg mixture using a fork, letting the excess egg drip off. Place the chicken in the bag with the Cheez-It mixture. Seal the bag and shake to coat the chicken evenly.
- Bake the Chicken:
- Arrange the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Use any remaining crumbs from the bag to press onto sparsely coated areas of the chicken.
- Bake for 15 minutes, flipping halfway through if desired, until the chicken is fully cooked and crispy.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch, blue cheese, or ketchup.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the chicken tenders for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg