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Home » Appetizers » Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders

Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders

December 26, 2020 by Tracy | Updated December 26, 2020 This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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a plate of chicken tenders and ketchup with Pinterest pin text.
a plate of chicken tenders and ketchup and a tender being dipped into ketchup with Pinterest pin text.
chicken tender on parchment paper and a hand dipping a tender into ketchup with Pinterest pin text.
a hand dipping a chicken tender in a ketchup with Pinterest pin text.
plate of baked chicken tenders and ketchup with Pinterest pin text.

Easy to make, with from scratch ingredients, these Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders are a kid favorite and mom approved. Even better, they can be made ahead and frozen to keep on hand just like anything you'll find in the frozen foods aisle!

chicken tender being dipped in ketchup.

Is there anything better than a crunchy chicken tender? Yes. A Homemade Chicken Tender! I know, there are so many frozen options that are so incredibly easy to just defrost and go, especially when you have a hungry family to feed. Well I'm going to let you all ] in on a lil secret. You can make a big batch of these super easy to make Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders and keep them in the freezer! From Scratch Fast!

Ingredients Needed

mustard, mayo, panko, ranch mix, pepper, chicken, paprika, egg, and salt on counter.
  • Chicken Breast Tenderloins - Raw chicken tenders. You could also buy some chicken breasts and slice them into nice chicken tender sizes.
  • Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix - This is what adds the ranch flavor. And you know we can serve that from scratch with our homemade mix!
  • Panko Bread Crumbs - These are our favorite to use because they crisp up nice!
  • Homemade Dijon Mustard - This adds such a great flavor to the chicken! And BTW, making your own is so easy!
  • Homemade Mayo - Again, add some flavor (and fat aka moisture) to your chicken. And Homemade Mayonnaise is also an incredibly easy condiment to make!
  • Egg - Your binder. Everyone needs a good binder.
  • Seasonings - Smoked Paprika, Salt, and Pepper. We've also added some garlic powder and onion powder, too.

These are basically just like our Panko Baked Chicken Tenders, but with some Ranch love!

Step-by-Step Instructions

bowls of spices and eggs and the a bowl of it all mixed.

Ok, I know that buying frozen chicken tenders in the store is super easy, but trust me, this recipe is also super easy.

Step 1: Mix your batter in a bowl.

Step 2: Toast your panko bread crumbs - this is key to making sure that your tenders are nice and crisp-ay.

a bowl of raw chicken in a mayo mixture.

Step 3: Add those chicken tenders to your batter.

raw chicken tender in toasted panko bread crumbs on a baking sheet.

Step 4: Coat your chicken tenders in the nice toasted panko bread crumbs.

baked panko crusted chicken tender on parchment paper.

Step 5: Baked and done!

Crispy. Ranch-y. SO EASY. This is a winner in our house with two small kids and a WFH mom who is about ready to lose her mind and needs some super easy dinners to keep in the freezer.

plate of baked chicken tenders and ketchup.

We love to serve these with our 5 Minute Homemade Ketchup and Fry Sauce. Or if you want to go even extra, serve these Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders (that use a homemade ranch mix) with a ranch dressing that is MADE FROM the ranch dressing mix used in the chicken tenders!

These are so perfect as an appetizer or as dinner with a deliciously healthy side (hello New Year Resolutions!).

plate of baked chicken tenders and ketchup.

Other Healthy Appetizers

  • Panko Baked Chicken Tenders
  • Sweet Sesame Ginger Meatballs
  • Parmesan Garlic Baked Chicken Wings
  • Sundried Tomato Hummus
  • Avocado Corn Salsa
  • Crispy Tater Tots From Scratch
  • Fresh Spinach Guacamole

Freeze for Later

One of the best parts of this recipe, especially for a meal prepping busy parent, is that you can make a big batch of these in advance and store them in the freezer. Then it is literally just as easy as opening a frozen bag from the grocery store, except you know exactly what's in it because you made it yourself, from scratch! We always make at least double and then freeze some so when we've hit that, "Oh no, what's for dinner?" the girls can have some fast and easy chicken tenders - that are still from scratch!

Enjoy! As always, if you make this recipe or any of my others, I love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below, email me, or you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

chicken tender being dipped in ketchup.

Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders

Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, chicken
Cuisine: American
Diet: Diabetic, Kosher, Low Fat
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Tracy

Equipment

  • baking sheets
  • Misto (optional)
  • Tongs

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless chicken tenderloins
  • 1 1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs

Batter

  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix 1 oz packet
  • 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

Instructions

  • Pre-heat to 400 degrees F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Add panko bread crumbs to baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes or until bread crumbs are toasted.
  • Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, add all of the batter ingredients and mix well.
  • Add chicken tenderloins to bowl with batter and coat well.
  • Remove panko bread crumbs from oven and add to a shallow dish - keep parchment paper on baking sheet.
  • With tongs, dredge chicken tenders through bread crumbs until fully coated. Gently press on bread crumbs to coat.
  • Return chicken, after fully coated with bread crumbs, to parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes.
  • Enjoy and serve with your favorite homemade condiment or freeze for up to 6 months.

Notes

Make ahead and freeze!
Let tenders completely cool and then store in freezer for up to 6 months.  When ready to use, add to a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees F and bake for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature is at least 165 degrees.  
3 tablespoons = 1 oz, which is equivalent to one packet. 

Nutrition

Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 812mg | Potassium: 467mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 96IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 1mg
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More Appetizers

  • Easy Tomato Bruschetta
  • Chessy Pesto Pull-Apart Rolls
  • Homemade Salt and Vinegar Chips
  • Curry Chicken Salad
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Comments

  1. Kate

    July 11, 2021 at 1:05 pm

    My entire family loved these chicken tenders! Making these again soon.

    Reply
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Hi, I'm Tracy!

Mom of two, lover of cheese, spinach, and replacing a box or jar of premade anything with a from scratch version. Here you'll find our whole foods recipes that'll add some easy, approachable from scratch flair to your cooking! Read More…

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