What Is the Slang for Chicken Tenders?

You might hear chicken tenders referred to as: Tendies Chicken strips Chicky nuggies (especially among Gen Z and meme culture) Fingerlings (regional slang) No matter the name, they all refer to that golden, fried or baked piece of comfort food we can’t get enough of—especially when turned into crack chicken tenders with Ritz crackers .

What Are Chicken Tenders?

Chicken tenders are the tenderloin portion of a chicken breast—lean, boneless, and naturally juicy. They’re ideal for quick-cooking methods like baking or frying. Often used in family-friendly meals, they soak up marinades well and offer the perfect texture for dishes like easy crack chicken tenders or air fryer versions. Explore more tender-based dishes in our chicken recipes section .

What Is Chicken Crack Made Of?

Chicken crack is typically made with these core ingredients: Creamy base: mayonnaise or cream cheese Seasoning: Ranch seasoning mix (sometimes with garlic and onion powder) Cheese: Parmesan or cheddar Crunch: usually crushed crackers or breadcrumbs Protein: juicy chicken tenders or shredded chicken breast This combo hits every flavor zone: creamy, salty, tangy, and crunchy.

Why Is It Called Crack Chicken?

The term "crack chicken" is slang for just how addictive this dish is. No, there’s nothing illicit about it—it’s just that good . The original term started with creamy chicken and bacon-based dishes featuring Ranch seasoning and cheese. Over time, it extended to other recipes like crack chicken tenders , thanks to the irresistible combo of savory, creamy, and crunchy flavors. The name stuck because once you try it, you just can’t stop going back for more.

Crack Chicken Tenders – Delicious Crispy Recipe in 30 Minutes

Name: Discover How To Cook The Most Delicious Crack Chicken Tenders
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb. chicken tenders; ½ cup mayonnaise; ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1 packet Ranch seasoning mix; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; 1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed

Description

Crack Chicken Tenders are crispy, juicy oven-baked chicken tenders coated in a creamy ranch-parmesan mix and crushed Ritz crackers. This easy recipe is bursting with flavor and perfect for weeknight dinners or party snacks.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb. chicken tenders
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 packet Ranch seasoning mix
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
1 cup Ritz crackers, crushed

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, Ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth.
Coat each chicken tender in the mayo mixture, then dredge in crushed Ritz crackers, pressing to ensure coating sticks.
Arrange chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them out for even cooking.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce!

Notes

Crush Ritz crackers finely for better coating adhesion.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked through.
Swap mayonnaise for Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
Add a dash of hot sauce to the mayo mix for extra kick.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: 370
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 710mg
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 10g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 24g
Cholesterol: 85mg