Baked Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders (for Jessica)

I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍

Looking for a yummy chicken dish? Try these baked cheddar ranch chicken tenders! They’re crispy, cheesy, and full of ranch flavor. These tenders take just 42 minutes to make from start to finish. The recipe makes 10 tenders, perfect for a family meal or party snack.

You’ll love how easy these are to prep. Just marinate the chicken, mix up a tasty breading, and pop them in the oven. Serve with homemade ranch dip for extra yumminess. Get ready for a new favorite dinner!

Exact Ingredients List

This recipe for Baked Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders needs a few key components. You’ll need chicken tenderloins, items for the marinade, breading mix, and a tasty ranch dip. Let’s break down each part.

Ingredients

You’ll start with 10 chicken tenderloins. These are the main stars of the dish. Make sure they’re fresh and of good quality. Chicken tenderloins cook fast and stay juicy, making them perfect for this recipe.

Marinade

For the marinade, you’ll need:

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

This mix will help make your chicken tender and flavorful. The buttermilk works to soften the meat, while the ranch seasoning adds a zesty kick.

Breading

Your breading mix includes:

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

This combo creates a crunchy, cheesy coating. The mix of crackers and panko gives a great texture. The cheese and ranch seasoning pack in lots of flavor.

Ranch Dip

For your dipping sauce, you’ll need:

• 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

This creamy dip pairs perfectly with your crispy chicken tenders. You can adjust the milk to make it thicker or thinner as you like. The ranch seasoning ties the flavors together with the chicken coating.

Instructions

Mix the marinade in a plastic bag. Add chicken and let it sit in the fridge for 2-8 hours.

Make the ranch dip by whisking the ingredients in a bowl. Put it in the fridge.

When you’re ready to cook, take out the chicken. Set up a baking sheet with a rack and spray it.

Crush the crackers and mix with the other breading items in a bowl.

Take each chicken piece from the marinade. Let extra drip off. Press it into the breading mix.

Put the breaded chicken on the rack. Spray it lightly with cooking spray.

Bake at 400°F for 12-18 minutes until cooked through. Broil at the end to make it crispy.

Serve your yummy chicken tenders with the ranch dip. Enjoy!

Possible Substitutes List & Recipe Variations

You can easily switch up this recipe to suit your tastes or what you have on hand. Try these simple swaps:

• Use chicken breasts cut into strips instead of tenderloins
• Swap buttermilk for regular milk mixed with a splash of lemon juice
• Replace Ritz crackers with crushed cornflakes or potato chips
• Sub in different cheese crackers like Cheez-Its or Goldfish

For the breading, feel free to experiment with seasonings:

• Add garlic powder or onion powder for extra flavor
• Mix in some grated Parmesan cheese
• Sprinkle in dried herbs like thyme or oregano

To change up the dip, try these variations:

• Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness
• Stir in some hot sauce for a spicy kick

You can also adjust the cooking method:

• Pan fry the tenders in a little oil for extra crispiness
• Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through

Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this recipe your own!

Tips, Tricks & Storing

For extra crispy tenders, try crushing the crackers into very fine crumbs. This helps the breading stick better and gives a crunchier texture.

To save time, you can prep the breading mix and ranch dip ahead. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Don’t skip the marinating step! It makes the chicken super juicy and flavorful. Aim for at least 2 hours, but overnight is even better.

Use tongs to handle the chicken when breading. This keeps your hands clean and prevents the breading from getting clumpy.

For easy cleanup, line your baking sheet with foil before placing the rack on top.

Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes to keep them crispy.

Freeze uncooked breaded tenders for quick meals later. Place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 3 months.