Description
Crispy cheddar bacon chicken tenders bring savory comfort straight from home kitchens to dinner plates. Packed with bold flavors and irresistible crunch, this dish promises you an exciting meal that satisfies every craving.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken tenders
Cheese and Meat Topping:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) cooked bacon, crumbled
Coating and Seasoning:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Meticulously prepare workspace by heating oven to 400°F and positioning parchment-lined baking sheet with light cooking spray coating.
- Craft a robust breading mixture combining crunchy panko, sharp cheddar cheese fragments, crisp bacon crumbles, aromatic garlic powder, zesty onion powder, seasoned salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a shallow vessel.
- Create a three-stage coating station: first station with flour for initial dredging, second station with whisked eggs for moisture binding, third station with prepared breading mixture.
- Transform each chicken tender through a precise coating journey: delicately dust with flour, immerse in beaten eggs, then generously enrobe with seasoned breading, applying gentle pressure to ensure maximum adherence.
- Strategically arrange breaded tenders on prepared baking sheet, ensuring slight separation between pieces for optimal crispness.
- Lightly mist chicken tenders’ surface with cooking spray to promote golden-brown exterior development.
- Roast in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, monitoring until tenders achieve beautiful golden coloration and reach complete internal doneness.
- Present these irresistible morsels immediately, accompanied by preferred dipping sauce for an elevated culinary experience.
Notes
- Swap panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs to create a celiac-friendly version of these delectable chicken tenders.
- Pat chicken tenders completely dry before coating to ensure maximum crispiness and better breading adherence.
- Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet, which can lead to soggy tenders; leave space between each piece for even browning and crisp texture.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption without overcooking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 180mg