Description
Chicken tenders are baked under a dreamy, ranch-cheese sauce and topped with crispy bacon to make a dish that’s rich, comforting, and so addictive.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb (about 680 g) chicken tenders
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8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
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1 package ranch seasoning mix
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1 tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
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½ cup cooked bacon bits, crumbled
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Olive oil or cooking spray for greasing
Optional:
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Chopped green onions or chives, for garnish
Instructions
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Preheat Oven
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Preheat your oven to 190 °C (375 °F).
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Line a baking sheet or casserole dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
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Mix the Creamy Topping
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In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese with ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and half of the shredded cheddar.
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Stir until everything is well combined and smooth.
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Set Up the Chicken
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Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in your prepared baking dish.
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Lightly coat the tenders with a thin layer of olive oil or cooking spray.
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Top the Tenders
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Spread the creamy ranch-cheese mixture over each chicken tender, covering them well.
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Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese on top.
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Finally, evenly distribute the crumbled bacon bits over the cheese layer.
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Bake
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Bake in the preheated oven for about 20–25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature ~75 °C / 165 °F) and the top is bubbly and slightly golden.
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Serve
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Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes so the topping can set.
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Garnish with chopped green onions or chives if you like.
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Serve hot with sides like steamed veggies, salad, or mashed potatoes.
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Notes
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The cream cheese should be well softened so it mixes smoothly with the other ingredients.
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Spread the topping evenly to make sure each tender gets plenty of flavor.
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Check doneness of the chicken with a thermometer — you want it cooked but still juicy.
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Let the dish rest a few minutes after baking so the topping firms up a little and doesn’t slide off.