Cheez-it Chicken Tenders are juicy chicken strips coated in a cheesy crust and baked to perfection in under 30 minutes.!
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I love how moist it is on the inside, golden brown and crunchy on the outside these tenders were. Just like my Crispy Fried Chicken Cutlets, every bite is flavorful and satisfying.
Why these chicken fingers work
Ready in just 30 minutes, these breaded chicken strips are the perfect main to serve for dinner like my Oven Fried Chicken Thighs. Serve this great recipe with your favorite side dishes and have dinner on the table in no time.
Coating your chicken in cheddar cracker crumbs and enjoy the Cheez-it flavor not just as a snack, but during dinner time too like these Buffalo Chicken Tenders! Talk about an easy way to get the kids lining up for dinner including their favorite snacks, without a fight!
Ingredients needed
- Chicken tenders: about 3 pounds
- Mayo: can be substituted for Greek yogurt or sour cream
- Butter: melted
- Crushed Cheez-It crackers: you could also use Cheese Nips or your other favorite cheesy cracker
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Bread crumbs: classic bread crumbs or use Japanese style panko for even more crispy exterior
- Spices: salt, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper (optional)
- Dipping sauce: optional. Use one of your favorite dipping sauces, Ranch dressing or honey mustard work nicely.
How to make cheez it chicken tenders
- Step 1: Place crackers in the bowl of a food processor.
- Step 2: Process the crackers just enough to use them as a crumb, but don’t over-process them. Pour crushed crackers into a shallow bowl.
- Step 3: In a mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients- cracker crumbs, grated cheese, bread crumbs and spices.
- Step 4: Carefully, add melted butter to dry ingredients and stir to combine.
- Step 5: Use a basting brush to brush mayo on the chicken tenders. Coat both sides evenly.
- Step 6: Place the coated chicken in the crumb mixture and press firmly so the crumb coating sticks. Coat the other side. Repeat with each piece of chicken.
- Step 7: Spray a wire rack with nonstick cooking spray and lay it on a sheet pan. Place coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet.
- Step 8: Bake coated tenders until golden brown. Serve with dipping sauce and enjoy.
Recipe Tips
- If you don’t have a food processor, put Cheez-its in a Ziplock bag and smash with a rolling pin.
- Use full fat Cheez-its. If you use reduced fat Cheez-Its, your delicious Cheez-it chicken tenders will have a higher chance of drying out.
- Feel free to add other seasonings and spices to your breading mixture. Try using flavored Cheez-it’s for a new Crispy Cheez-it Chicken Tender recipe.