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Crack Chicken Tenders

Crack Chicken Tenders
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Crack Chicken Tenders are crispy, cheesy, and addictive chicken bites featuring tender chicken tenders stuffed with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheddar, bacon bits, and ranch seasoning. The tenders are coated in a golden, perfectly seasoned crust and baked or fried to crispy perfection, making for a kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken tenders (fresh or thawed boneless strips)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or sharp cheese blend)
  • 1/2 cup bacon bits (crispy)
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour or breading mix (or almond flour/gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free option)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten

Instructions

  1. Prepare the creamy filling: In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, bacon bits, and ranch seasoning mix until well blended. This mixture will create a cheesy filling for the chicken tenders.
  2. Stuff the chicken tenders: Make a small slit along the side of each chicken tender to create a pocket. Carefully spoon or pipe the cream cheese mixture into each pocket, then pat the edges to seal the filling securely.
  3. Bread the chicken: Dip each stuffed tender into the beaten eggs, making sure it is fully coated. Then, dredge thoroughly in the flour or breading mix to form a crisp, golden crust when cooked.
  4. Cook until golden and crispy: Fry tenders in hot oil at medium-high heat until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C), or bake on a lined baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden and fully cooked.
  5. Serve warm and enjoy: Let the tenders rest briefly before serving to allow the cheesy filling to set, then serve warm with desired garnishes and sides.

Notes

  • Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and stuffing.
  • Do not overfill the chicken tenders to prevent leakage during cooking.
  • Press the breading firmly onto each tender for a sturdy crust that won’t fall off.
  • If frying, maintain medium-high oil temperature to avoid greasy or undercooked tenders.
  • Allow tenders to rest a couple of minutes before serving to keep cheese melty but not runny.

Nutrition

Keywords: crack chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, cheesy chicken, stuffed chicken tenders, party appetizer, kid-friendly chicken

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