Baked Chicken Tenders are SO CRISPY, so flavorful, and so delicious. These Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Strips are a new favorite for game day! They’re coated in ranch, cheese, and bacon, and oven baked to perfection.

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe

Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe

Baked Chicken Tenders are the perfect game day snack. These Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Strips are so flavorful and so simple to make!

I am SO EXCITED about this Cheddar Bacon Ranch Baked Chicken Tenders recipe! I love food, so there’s not much I won’t try or enjoy, but Pat is a different story. Dude is PICKY and it’s a constant struggle at our house. I can think something is bomb and he will get home and give it the side eye and burst my bubble.

But I’m happy to say that these crispy, oven baked chicken tenders were a huge hit not only with me, but also with Pat! Not only did he eat every last one in sight, but he requested I make them again the next day. I was on cloud nine and more than happy to oblige. This baked chicken strips made with bacon, cheddar, ranch, and panko breadcrumbs are SO good, I will gladly eat them again and again.

This ranch chicken recipe is SO easy, so flavorful, and it is shockingly crispy for being BAKED AND NOT FRIED! Are you ready for the perfect baked chicken strips? Get excited! These are going to be the perfect Super Bowl food!

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Strips are a must make. This oven baked chicken tenders recipe will be your go-to for game day, and EVERYONE will love them!

Oven Baked Chicken Tenders made with panko breadcrumbs, bacon, and ranch

Oven Baked Chicken Tenders

We love to bake chicken around here! In fact, our Baked Fried Chicken is one of our all-time favorite Chicken Breast Recipes! You don’t have to deep fry chicken strips to make them crispy! This oven baked chicken tenders recipe is super flavorful AND has the perfect crunch thanks to the panko breadcrumbs. Baking chicken tenders is a no-brainer when you want something delicious and a little bit healthier than what you might find at a restaurant. This recipe is so easy, plus the Cheddar Bacon Ranch flavor combo is beyond tasty!

Check out our full Baked Chicken Guide for more EASY baked chicken recipes!

CHEDDAR BACON RANCH CHICKEN TENDERS! These Baked Chicken Strips are SO CRISPY, flavorful, and delicious. Coated in ranch, cheese, and bacon, and baked to perfection. Dip in extra ranch for the perfect snack!

A plate of baked chicken strips with a bowl of ranch dipping sauce

How long to bake chicken tenders?

Baking chicken tenders doesn’t take much effort or time. Once they’re prepared, bake chicken tenders at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes. Tip: If you want them extra crispy, put on the broiler for a few minutes to add some crunch.

How to Make Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Tenders

These Crispy Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Strips have all of my favorite flavors in one bite. How can you go wrong with cheese, bacon, and ranch all in one recipe?! This oven baked chicken tenders recipe is MADE for tailgating heaven, trust me!

How to Make Baked Chicken Tenders:

  1. Combine flour and ranch seasoning in a small bowl.
  2. Whisk egg lightly in another small bowl.
  3. Combine by shaking bacon, shredded cheese, & panko breadcrumbs in a Ziploc bag.
  4. Dip each chicken tender in the flour/ranch mixture, then dip in the egg, then place in the bag with the breadcrumb mixture.
  5. When all chicken tenders are prepared and in the bag, seal and shake it up to fully coat each chicken tender with breadcrumbs.
  6. Place them on a baking sheet, and bake 15-20 minutes at 400°F, turning each chicken strip once.

Serve the baked chicken tenders with ranch or another favorite dipping sauce!

CHEDDAR BACON RANCH CHICKEN TENDERS! These Baked Chicken Strips are SO CRISPY, flavorful, and delicious. Coated in ranch, cheese, and bacon, and baked to perfection. Dip in extra ranch for the perfect snack!

Dipping a baked chicken tender in ranch

I hope you love these Cheddar Bacon Ranch Baked Chicken Tenders as much as Pat!! Who am I kidding, I know you will! For more holiday entertaining tips and recipes, be sure to check out www.walmart.com/holidayfavorites and get your recipe hack on!

Watch the Video and See the recipe card for details on how to make Cheddar Bacon Ranch Baked Chicken Tenders. Enjoy!

If you like this cheddar bacon ranch chicken recipe, try these other baked chicken recipes too:

Recipe Card

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Baked Chicken Tenders

4.68 from 53 votes
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Author: Becky Hardin
crispy checken tenders on cookie sheet
Baked Chicken Tenders are SO CRISPY, so flavorful, and so delicious. These Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Strips are a new favorite for game day! They're coated in ranch, cheese, and bacon, and oven baked to perfection.
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Ingredients 

  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 ounce Dry Ranch Dip Mix
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup crispy panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon chopped (or bacon bits)
  • 14 ounces boneless skinless chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into strips. About 7-8 strips
  • Ranch dressing for dipping

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400F. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray and set aside.
  • Fill one shallow bowl with the flour and ranch seasoning, stirring to combine. Fill another shallow bowl with the egg, whisking lightly. Combine the panko, cheese, and bacon in a large ziplock bag and stir/shake to combine *SEE NOTE*. Set all in a line.
  • Start by dipping each chicken tender in the flour/ranch mixture, patting to make sure its covered. Dip in the egg, allowing excess to fall away, and then place in the bag with the panko mixture. Repeat with all the tenders.
  • Seal the bag and shake to coat all the chicken fully. You'll want to press and turn the bag until all the tenders are fully coated in the panko mixture.
  • Place the tenders on the prepared baking sheet and spray the strips lightly with more olive oil spray.
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning once. When chicken is fully cooked through (white throughout), turn on your broiler and cook for 2-4 minutes more or until the coating is extra crispy. (optional)
  • Serve with ranch and enjoy!

Video

Becky's Tips

*NOTE* For a finer coating, you can place the panko/cheese mixture in a food processor to blend everything together. This makes it easier to coat the chicken, but is totally optional.
Calories: 259kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 28gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 315mgPotassium: 410mgVitamin A: 230IUVitamin C: 1.2mgCalcium: 127mgIron: 1.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

 

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

4.68 from 53 votes (43 ratings without comment)
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20 Comments
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Deb
Deb
November 15, 2024 1:09 pm

Wonderful recipe. Thanks for sharing. My husband loves them.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
January 27, 2022 3:08 pm

I am sorry this didn’t work for you!

Don B
Don B
February 14, 2021 12:11 pm

What a delicious alternative to fried tenders. Easy to prep. I was wondering why the egg dip came second versus first. After I made them, I found that the egg dip really kept the panko, cheese, and bacon attached to the chicken. Everyone, young and older, loved them.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
February 23, 2021 9:56 am
Reply to  Don B

Definitely do as you please! Thanks for sharing, Don!

michael simpson
michael simpson
October 25, 2019 12:15 am

made these tonight and turned out nicely in the final coating i added some garlic and herb and salt and pepper gave it nice flavor, and yes chicken thighs work quite well.5 stars

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
November 2, 2019 6:28 pm

YUM! Great substitutions, Michael!

Susan Foster
Susan Foster
September 30, 2019 6:12 pm

Making this Saturday for our “at home tailgate”????

Becky Hardin
Becky Hardin
October 1, 2019 2:01 pm
Reply to  Susan Foster

They’re so addictive! Enjoy!!