Ranch Cheez-It Crusted Chicken Tenders

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It’s official, guys. The college basketball tournament is just around the corner. Have you started filling out your brackets yet? It’s a big deal around here. If we aren’t watching the games at home, we’re watching them at work. My company really gets into the tournament, and all of us watch the games on our giant screen as we munch on nachos and popcorn.

Wherever we are, nothing helps us get into the spirit of the game more than delicious finger foods. And the epitome of sports finger foods are juicy, crispy, utterly delicious and dunkable chicken tenders. These Ranch Cheez-It Crusted Chicken Tenders are a slam dunk and are uber easy to make. They’re coated with Ranch dip and then rolled in Zesty Cheddar Ranch Cheez-It cracker crumbles for a burst of flavor that will make your taste buds sing. Something about the Ranch dip and the Zesty Cheddar Ranch Cheez-Its keeps them super moist and ultra juicy.

I bought my Cheez-Its at my local Target, where I can find a great selection of Cheez-It crackers and anything else I have on my grocery list. What’s great is Target is also running a special on Cheez-Its, where you can get 3 boxes for just $8, so I was able to pick up the White Cheddar for me to snack on and the Original Cheddar for my girls. I also scored an extra 35% off the deal using my Target Cartwheel app.

You’ll be amazed at how easy these perfect-for-a-game-day snacks are to make. They require just a handful of ingredients.

First, crush the crackers in your blender, or you can put them in a large plastic bag and crush them with a mallet or rolling pin.

Then, make the Ranch dip by combining the Ranch dip mix with sour cream.

Put 1 cup of Ranch dip in a shallow bowl or pie pan. Put the crushed crackers in another shallow bowl or pie pan.

Then, dunk the tenders in the Ranch dip.

Then roll them in the crackers.

Lay them on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet and spray them with some nonstick cooking spray. Finally, bake them at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Pop them out of the oven and serve them with the remaining Ranch dip, ketchup, or (my personal favorite) barbecue sauce.

The great thing is you can use your favorite Cheez-It crackers flavor for this recipe. And don’t forget to vote for your favorite one during the “Most Valuable Cheese” contest running through April 2015 for your chance to win $10,000.

I love finding super easy and fast game day appetizer recipes. Have you ever used Cheez-Its in a recipe?

Ranch Cheez-It Crusted Chicken Tenders

 

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Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

40 mins

 

Author: Erin

Recipe type: Appetizer

Serves: About 14 tenders

Ingredients

• 1 package Cheez-It Grooves, Zesty Cheddar Ranch flavor (or your preferred Cheez-It flavor)
• 1 16-oz tub of sour cream
• 1 package Ranch dip mix
• 2 lbs. chicken tenders
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a blender, pulse crackers until evenly crushed (about 20 times). NOTE: It's okay if some small chunks remain.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together Ranch dip mix and sour cream until well combined.
4. Put 1 cup sour cream in a shallow dish or pie pan. In another shallow dish or pie pan, pour cracker crumbles.
5. Roll chicken tenders, one at a time, in sour cream, then cracker crumbles. Spread each tender onto the baking sheet.
6. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. If your tenders aren't brown enough, turn on the broiler to help them brown quickly. But make sure to keep a close watch on them so they don't burn!

3.2.2925

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