Buffalo Chicken Tenders

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Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Crispy, bold, and packed with flavor, these Buffalo Chicken Tenders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. With a fiery Cheez-It crust and a juicy center, they’re perfect as a hearty appetizer, game-day snack, or quick weeknight dinner.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 589 per serving

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ pounds chicken tenders
  • 2 cups hot and spicy Cheez-It crackers, crushed
  • ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ⅔ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
  • Mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt, for brushing)
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • Ranch or blue cheese dressing, for serving

Instructions

  1. Prep the oven:
    Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Lightly coat the rack with nonstick spray. If you don’t have a rack, simply use a greased baking sheet.
  2. Crush the crackers:
    Add the Cheez-It crackers to a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin until coarse. Alternatively, pulse them in a food processor a few times—be careful not to over-process into a powder.
  3. Make the breading:
    In a large bowl, combine crushed Cheez-Its, Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and salt.
  4. Prepare the butter mixture:
    In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter and hot sauce. Pour this mixture into the breadcrumb bowl and stir until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
  5. Prep the chicken:
    Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Brush a thin, even layer of mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt) onto each tender.
  6. Coat the tenders:
    Press each mayo-coated tender into the breadcrumb mixture, firmly pressing to ensure the coating sticks well. Place each coated tender on the prepared rack or baking sheet.
  7. Bake:
    Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the coating is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Serve:
    Serve warm with ranch, blue cheese, or extra buffalo sauce on the side.

Air Fryer Option

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  • Place breaded chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
  • Lightly spray the tops with nonstick spray.
  • Cook for 12 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook for another 10–12 minutes or until fully cooked and crispy.

Tips & Notes

  • Cracker Substitution: If you don’t have spicy Cheez-Its, you can use regular ones and add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the breadcrumb mix.
  • Make Ahead: You can prepare the chicken tenders up to the breading step and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before baking.
  • Reheating: Leftovers reheat beautifully in the oven or air fryer for a crispy finish.
  • Spice Level: Adjust the amount of hot sauce to your liking or swap in a milder buffalo sauce for a less spicy version.

 

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