Crispy Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders Recipe for Dinner Joy

Crispy chicken tenders meet their match when cheddar bacon joins the party, creating a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Salty, smoky bacon crumbles mingle with sharp cheese, turning ordinary poultry into an extraordinary meal.

Weeknight dinners never looked this tempting or felt this effortless.

Home cooks can easily master this crowd-pleasing dish without breaking a sweat.

Each tender combines golden-brown crunchiness with melted cheese and smoky bacon bits that practically guarantee clean plates.

Rich, savory notes promise to satisfy everyone from picky kids to discerning adults.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and make it your new dinner superhero.

Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders: What’s to Love

• Personalize the breading with your favorite cheese or swap bacon for different toppings, making this recipe adaptable to individual tastes and pantry ingredients.
• Kids and adults alike will love the crispy, cheesy coating and kid-approved flavor profiles that transform basic chicken tenders into a crowd-pleasing meal everyone enjoys.
• Whip up this delicious dish in just 20 minutes with minimal ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques, perfect for busy weeknight dinners or last-minute meal solutions.
• These chicken tenders deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort, combining classic comfort food elements like bacon, cheese, and crispy breading into one irresistible protein option that satisfies diverse palates.

Ingredients for Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders

• Chicken Tenders: Lean protein base for the dish, best when fresh and uniform in size.

• Flour, Eggs, Breadcrumbs: Classic breading trio providing crispy exterior and helping coating adhere to chicken.
• Bacon: Adds smoky flavor and extra crunch to breading mixture.
• Cheddar Cheese: Introduces rich, sharp taste and helps create golden brown crust.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Basic flavor enhancers for balanced taste.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Provides depth and aromatic background notes.
• Paprika: Adds subtle warmth and beautiful reddish color to chicken.

• Cooking Oil: Enables even and crispy frying of chicken tenders.
• Paper Towels: Used for draining excess oil and patting chicken dry.

• Ranch Sauce, BBQ Sauce, Honey Mustard: Optional accompaniments to complement chicken's flavor profile.

Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders Made

Step 1: Prep Chicken

Pat chicken tenders completely dry using paper towels to help breading adhere perfectly.

Step 2: Season Generously

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika

Ensure each tender gets an even coating of seasonings.

Step 3: Create Breading Station

Prepare three separate mixing bowls:

First Bowl: Regular flour

Second Bowl: Whisked eggs

Third Bowl: Combine

• Plain breadcrumbs
• Crumbled bacon pieces
• Freshly shredded cheddar cheese

Step 4: Coat Chicken

Dredge each chicken tender through stations in this order:

First: Light flour coating

Second: Egg wash dip

Third: Breadcrumb mixture press firmly to make coating stick

Step 5: Fry Chicken

Heat vegetable oil in large skillet over medium temperature

Carefully place breaded tenders into hot oil

Cook approximately 3-4 minutes per side

Achieve golden brown exterior

Confirm internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F

Step 6: Remove Excess Oil

Transfer cooked tenders onto paper towel-lined plate

Allow excess oil to drain

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Plate chicken tenders

• Ranch
• BBQ sauce
• Honey mustard

Tips for Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders

• Maximize Breading Adhesion: Pat chicken tenders completely dry before breading to help the coating stick perfectly and create a crispier texture.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Add extra seasonings like smoked paprika or a dash of cayenne to the breading mixture for an extra flavor kick that complements the cheddar and bacon.
• Perfect Cooking Temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally, preventing undercooked meat while maintaining juicy tenderness.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives for those with wheat sensitivities, and use turkey bacon for a lighter protein option.
• Prevent Soggy Breading: Allow chicken tenders to rest on a wire rack after breading to help the coating set and prevent moisture buildup that can make the breading soggy.

Store and Reheat Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders Right

• Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place them in a single layer to maintain crispiness and prevent sogginess.
• Keep refrigerated chicken tenders for 3-4 days maximum. Always check for any signs of spoilage before reheating.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Spread tenders on a baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through and crispy.
• Skip microwave reheating as it makes the breading soggy and ruins the crispy texture. Oven or air fryer are best for maintaining crunchiness.

Perfect Sides with Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders

• Blend cool ranch dressing with sour cream and fresh chives for a tangy companion that complements the crispy chicken tenders.
• Select a light, refreshing pilsner beer that cuts through the richness of the bacon and cheese while cleansing the palate between bites.
• Prepare a quick coleslaw with green apples, giving a bright, crunchy contrast to the heavy, savory chicken tenders and adding a fresh dimension to the meal.
• Grill asparagus spears with olive oil and roasted garlic to provide a green vegetable side that balances the indulgent chicken and adds nutritional value.

Fun Variations for Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders

• Gluten-Free Variation: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free breadcrumbs. Ensure bacon and cheese are gluten-free certified for sensitive diets.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Swap breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour. Use full-fat cheese and keep the bacon for added fat content. Cook in avocado or coconut oil for healthier fats.
• Air Fryer Method: Skip pan-frying and cook chicken tenders in air fryer at 390°F for 10-12 minutes. Spray with olive oil spray to help breading crisp up without excess oil.
• Low-Sodium Option: Reduce salt in seasoning mix. Use low-sodium bacon and choose a reduced-sodium cheese. Replace salt with herbs like dried thyme or rosemary for extra flavor without sodium increase.

Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.9 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy cheddar bacon chicken tenders deliver a mouthwatering fusion of savory flavors that dance on your palate. Succulent chicken wrapped in cheesy, bacon-studded goodness promises a delightful meal packed with irresistible comfort and Southern-style indulgence.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) chicken tenders

Coating and Seasoning:

• 1 cup (120 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (60 grams) panko breadcrumbs
• 1 cup (100 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (100 grams) cooked bacon, finely crumbled
• 2 large eggs

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Additional:

• Cooking spray or oil (if baking)

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Instructions

1. Meticulously pat the chicken tenders completely dry using paper towels to guarantee optimal breading adhesion.
2. Infuse the chicken tenders with a robust blend of seasonings, massaging salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika thoroughly across each piece for comprehensive flavor distribution.
3. Construct a strategic three-bowl breading assembly: dedicate one bowl to flour, another to whisked eggs, and the third to a tantalizing mixture of breadcrumbs, crispy crumbled bacon, and sharp shredded cheddar cheese.
4. Execute the breading technique methodically: delicately dust each tender in flour, ensuring a light, even coating; submerge in beaten egg for binding; then generously encase with the bacon-cheese breadcrumb mixture, applying gentle pressure to secure the crust.
5. Activate a large skillet with medium heat and introduce oil. Carefully lower the breaded chicken tenders into the sizzling pan, allowing each side to transform into a golden, crispy exterior for approximately 3-4 minutes, verifying internal temperature reaches a safe 165°F.
6. Transfer the perfectly cooked tenders onto a paper towel-lined plate, permitting excess oil to be absorbed and maintaining the crisp texture.
7. Present the cheddar bacon chicken tenders alongside complementary dipping sauces like zesty ranch, smoky BBQ, or sweet honey mustard for a complete culinary experience.

Notes

• Pat chicken tenders completely dry to guarantee a crispy, well-adhered breading that won’t fall off during cooking.
• Use fresh, high-quality bacon for maximum flavor impact and ensure it’s crumbled into small, even pieces for consistent seasoning.
• Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F to prevent soggy or burnt chicken tenders, using a thermometer for precise monitoring.
• For gluten-free adaptation, substitute regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs without compromising the recipe’s delicious texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg