Crack Chicken Tenders – The Easiest Dinner Recipe You’ll Ever Love!
Introduction
Get ready to fall in love with the easiest, most addictive chicken dinner of your life! ✨ Crack Chicken Tenders are irresistibly juicy, packed with savory, creamy, and cheesy flavors, and unbelievably simple to make. The name comes from their famously “crack”-like addictiveness, thanks to a magical seasoning blend and a creamy topping that keeps the chicken incredibly moist. This dish is the ultimate hearty and comforting weeknight meal, requiring minimal prep and delivering maximum flavor. It’s the perfect solution for busy families, picky eaters, and anyone craving a no-fuss, crowd-pleasing protein that everyone will request again and again.
Perfect for:
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Busy Weeknight Dinners
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Meal Prep for Lunches
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Picky Eater Solutions
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Potlucks and Parties
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Quick Family Gatherings
Why You’ll Love This Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe
Irresistibly Addictive Flavor: The combination of ranch seasoning, creamy cheese, and crispy bacon creates a savory, umami-packed profile that is truly impossible to resist.
Unbelievably Easy and Fast: With just 10 minutes of prep and one baking dish, this recipe is virtually foolproof. It’s the definition of a simple, dump-and-bake meal.
Always Juicy and Tender: The creamy topping acts as a barrier, locking in moisture and ensuring every single chicken tender turns out perfectly succulent and never dry.
Incredibly Versatile: Serve these tenders in so many ways—over rice, in sandwiches, on salads, or as a standalone appetizer. The possibilities are endless.
Preparation and Cooking Time
Total Time: 30 minutes
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories per serving: Approximately 450-500 calories
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Estimate):
Calories: 450-500 kcal
Protein: 35g
Carbohydrates: 5g
Fat: 32g
Fiber: 0g
Sugar: 2g
Nutritional Disclaimer
Aileen is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Ingredients
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1.5 pounds chicken tenderloins
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1 packet (1 oz) dry ranch seasoning mix
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8 ounces cream cheese, softened
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
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½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 6 slices)
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½ cup sour cream
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives (for garnish)
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Cooking spray or olive oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or olive oil.
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Season the Chicken: Arrange the chicken tenderloins in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the dry ranch seasoning evenly over both sides of the chicken.
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Create Creamy Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until well combined. It’s okay if there are a few small lumps of cream cheese.
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Assemble the Dish: Spoon the creamy cheese mixture over the top of the seasoned chicken tenders, spreading it into an even layer to cover them completely.
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Add Bacon: Sprinkle the crumbled bacon evenly over the top of the cream cheese layer.
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Bake to Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The top should be bubbly and lightly golden.
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Garnish and Rest: Remove the baking dish from the oven. Let it rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped chives.
How to Serve Crack Chicken Tenders
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Serve as a complete low-carb meal with a side of steamed green beans, roasted broccoli, or a crisp garden salad.
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Spoon over a bed of fluffy white rice, cauliflower rice, or buttered noodles to soak up the delicious, creamy sauce.
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For an incredible sandwich, pile the tenders and some of the creamy sauce onto brioche buns or hoagie rolls.
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Use them as a hearty filling for wraps or as a protein-packed topping for a loaded baked potato.
Additional Tips for Crack Chicken Tenders
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For the best texture, ensure your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature so it blends smoothly.
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Do not overcrowd the baking dish. The chicken tenders should be in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
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For a crispier top, switch the oven to a high broil for the final 1-2 minutes of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
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Using thick-cut bacon will provide a meatier, more satisfying crunch in every bite.
Recipe Variations of Crack Chicken Tenders
Spicy Buffalo Version: Add 1/4 cup of buffalo sauce to the cream cheese mixture and use a pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar. Garnish with blue cheese crumbles and celery sticks.
Italian Herb Version: Substitute the ranch seasoning with a packet of Italian dressing mix and use mozzarella cheese instead of cheddar. Top with chopped fresh basil before serving.
Slow Cooker Version: Place raw chicken tenders in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with ranch seasoning. Dollop the cream cheese mixture on top and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours. Add bacon and cheese topping in the last 30 minutes.
Freezing and Storage for Crack Chicken Tenders
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or in a covered oven-safe dish at 350°F until warmed through.
Freezing: It is not recommended to freeze the fully assembled and cooked dish as the creamy sauce may separate upon thawing. For best results, freeze the raw, seasoned chicken tenders separately and make the fresh cream cheese topping when ready to bake.
FAQ Section about Crack Chicken Tenders
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?
Yes, you can use 2 large chicken breasts. Slice them horizontally into thinner cutlets to ensure they cook at the same rate as tenderloins. You may need to add 3-5 minutes to the baking time.
My cream cheese wasn’t fully soft and is lumpy. What can I do?
You can gently warm the mixture in the microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until it is soft enough to mix smoothly.
Is there a way to make this recipe lighter?
You can use reduced-fat cream cheese, light sour cream, and reduced-fat cheddar cheese. The flavor will still be excellent.
Conclusion of Crack Chicken Tenders Recipe
Crack Chicken Tenders truly live up to their name, offering an effortlessly delicious and universally loved meal that will become a permanent fixture in your dinner rotation. The perfect harmony of creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors, combined with the undeniable ease of preparation, makes this recipe a true winner. Say goodbye to boring chicken dinners and hello to a dish that promises empty plates and happy faces every single time. This is the easy, flavorful, and comforting dinner solution you’ve been searching for.