Let’s talk about chicken tenders – you know, those crowd-pleasers that both kids and adults can’t resist. I’ve tried all sorts of recipes over the years, but these Ritz cracker chicken tenders have become a regular at our dinner table. They’re the kind of meal that makes everyone happy without keeping me stuck in the kitchen all evening.
I discovered this recipe when I was looking for an easy way to use up that half-empty sleeve of Ritz crackers sitting in my pantry. Now, I actually buy Ritz crackers specifically for this recipe. The buttery crumbs create the most wonderful coating that’s way better than regular breadcrumbs. Plus, you probably already have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now.
Want to know the best part? These tenders are just as good as the ones from your favorite restaurant, but you can make them right at home in your pajamas. And clean-up? It’s so simple you’ll wonder why you didn’t try this sooner.
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Tenders
- Kid-friendly favorite – These crispy tenders are a guaranteed hit with children and adults alike – no more separate meals for picky eaters!
- Simple ingredients – You only need a handful of basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, including everyday Ritz crackers instead of fancy breadcrumbs.
- Budget-friendly – Using chicken tenders and common pantry staples makes this an affordable option for feeding the whole family.
- Extra crispy coating – The buttery Ritz crackers create an incredibly crunchy exterior that stays crispy, while keeping the chicken tender and juicy inside.
- Easy preparation – Just crush, dip, and bake – no complicated steps or fancy techniques needed to make these restaurant-style tenders at home.
What Kind of Chicken Tenders Should I Use?
You’ve got two good options when it comes to chicken tenders for this recipe. You can either buy pre-cut chicken tenders from the meat counter, which saves time and effort, or cut your own from whole chicken breasts, which tends to be more budget-friendly. If you’re cutting your own, look for the naturally occurring tender (the small strip that runs along the underside of each breast) and slice the remaining breast meat into similar-sized strips about 1½ inches wide. Just make sure your chicken pieces are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. For the juiciest results, try to get fresh rather than frozen tenders, though frozen will work fine if you thaw them completely and pat them dry before breading.
Options for Substitutions
This easy chicken tender recipe can be adapted with several simple swaps:
- Chicken tenders: If you can’t find chicken tenders, you can use chicken breasts cut into strips, or even chicken thighs cut into similar-sized pieces. Just keep in mind that thighs might need an extra minute or two of cooking time.
- Ritz crackers: Out of Ritz? No worries! Try using crushed cornflakes, plain breadcrumbs, panko, or even crushed potato chips. Each will give you a slightly different but equally tasty crunch. Just make sure to crush them finely.
- Eggs: If you’re out of eggs, you can use mayonnaise or buttermilk as your coating. Use about 1/3 cup of either as your dipping liquid before the cracker coating.
- Butter: While butter adds nice flavor, you can substitute it with olive oil or vegetable oil. The coating might not brown quite as nicely, but it’ll still taste good!
- Seasonings: Feel free to play around with the seasonings – Italian seasoning, ranch powder, or cajun seasoning all work great. Just keep the total amount of seasoning similar to avoid overwhelming the chicken.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest challenge when making Ritz cracker chicken tenders is ending up with a coating that falls off during cooking – to prevent this, make sure to pat your chicken completely dry with paper towels before starting the breading process. Another common mistake is not crushing the Ritz crackers finely enough, which can lead to uneven coating and burning – pulse them in a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin until they’re fine crumbs but not powder. The temperature of your oven is crucial too – cooking these tenders at too high a temperature will burn the cracker coating before the chicken is done, so stick to 375°F and place the pan in the middle rack. For extra crispy results, avoid overcrowding the baking sheet – leave some space between each tender so they can get golden brown on all sides, and flip them halfway through cooking.
What to Serve With Ritz Cracker Chicken Tenders?
These crunchy chicken tenders are super versatile when it comes to sides! For a casual weeknight dinner, I love serving them with classic dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ sauce alongside some crispy french fries or sweet potato wedges. If you’re trying to add more veggies to your plate, these tenders go great with a simple coleslaw or a side of steamed broccoli with a squeeze of lemon. For a lighter option that still feels satisfying, try them on top of a fresh garden salad with your favorite dressing, or serve them with some buttery corn on the cob in the summer months.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Got leftover chicken tenders? Pop them in an airtight container and place them in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to place a paper towel in the container to help absorb any excess moisture and keep that Ritz cracker coating nice and crispy.
Freeze: These tenders freeze really well! Let them cool completely, then place them in a freezer bag or container with parchment paper between layers. They’ll stay good in the freezer for up to 2 months – perfect for busy weeknight dinners!
Warm Up: To get that crispy coating back, reheat the tenders in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. I don’t recommend using the microwave as it can make the coating soggy. If reheating from frozen, add an extra 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.
| Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-35 minutes |
| Total Time | 45-55 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 1900-2200
- Protein: 160-180 g
- Fat: 110-130 g
- Carbohydrates: 75-85 g
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
- 1 cup crushed crackers
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon onion seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
While the oven is heating, prepare a baking sheet by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper.
Set it aside for later use.
Step 2: Prepare Cracker and Egg Mixtures
In a large shallow bowl, mix crushed Ritz crackers with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
In a separate shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until fully blended.
These will be used to coat the chicken tenders.
Step 3: Coat Chicken Tenders
Take each chicken tender and dip it into the bowl of whisked eggs, allowing any excess to drip off.
Then, transfer the chicken to the seasoned cracker mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating.
Place each coated chicken tender onto the prepared baking sheet.
Repeat the process for the remaining chicken tenders.
Step 4: Add Butter and Bake
Once all the chicken tenders are coated and placed on the baking sheet, brush each one lightly with melted butter.
This will help them achieve a golden, crispy finish.
Bake them in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is nicely browned.
Step 5: Serve
When the chicken tenders are fully cooked, remove them from the oven.
Let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Enjoy your crispy, flavorful chicken tenders, perfect as a main dish or appetizer!