Do you love Cheez-It crackers? Then you're gonna love this yummy Cheez-It recipe idea using chicken tenders. The great part is there's no frying involved. Bake these chicken snacks in the oven and serve with honey mustard sauce!
Reasons to love this recipe
- It only takes 30 minutes total to make.
- There's only 4 ingredients.
- It is kid approved and a guaranteed hit.
- The chicken is baked, not fried, but still crispy!
Ingredients
Cheez-It crackers - The original or extra toasty cheez its are the way to go for this recipe. Put a few cups in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin until they resemble bread crumbs.
Whole fat buttermilk - Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and adds a wonderful savory flavor. You can substitute lowfat buttermilk or regular milk.
Egg - Adding an egg to the milk is what helps the cheez its stick to the chicken.
Chicken tenders - Tenders are used in this recipe and cut into bite size pieces, but you can leave the tenders whole or use chicken breasts. If you use dark meat, you may need to cook the chicken longer. All chicken must be cooked at an internal temperature of at least 165F to be safe to eat. I recommend getting a meat thermometer to make sure you are all good.
Instructions
Mix together your buttermilk and egg and soak your chicken tenders in the mixture for up to 24 hours if you want. If you don't have that kind of time, I usually just give them a good dunk, then move along. Next, crush up your Cheez-It crackers by pounding them in a plastic bag with a rolling pin (you could also blend them) until they reach a fine consistency.
Cover your buttermilk soaked chicken in the Cheez-it crumbles and place on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake the chicken bites in a 425 degree oven for 15 minutes and done!
These Cheez-It Chicken Bites are so addicting they will become a family favorite. They would also be a great party food for football season because they are easy to eat and who doesn't love Cheez-Its? We like to serve them with our favorite honey mustard sauce.
If you like this recipe you can rate it and leave a comment below. If you take a picture tag me on Instagram @hungrywaitress! Here's the recipe:
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Cheez-It Chicken
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
Looking for a crowd pleasing dinner recipe? Or maybe something to serve at a party? This Cheez-It Chicken is a fun dinner idea that the family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders, cut into 1" pieces
- 1 cup whole fat buttermilk | sub whole milk
- 1 egg
- 2 cups Cheez-Its (extra toasty preferred), smashed into crumbs
Instructions
- Heat oven to 425 degrees.
- Beat the milk and egg together and toss in the chicken.
- Coat the chicken in the Cheez-It crumbs.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
Equipment
Buy Now →Notes
Spray the baking sheet or use parchment paper to ensure the chicken doesn't stick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sheet Pan
- Cuisine: American
Frequently Ask Questions
Yes, but you may need to cook them for longer since dark meat takes more time to cook. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165F degrees for safe consumption.
You can refrigerate leftovers for up to four days. To reheat I would pop them in the oven to try to regain crispiness. In general, these do not keep well and are best served in one sitting.
Yes! Regular milk will work fine. Buttermilk does add more tenderness to the chicken but it's not a huge game changer.
Looking for more easy dinner recipes? Check out these 30 Minute Meals:
Nolan says
They’re so good every time!
Liz says
Yum! These are so easy and delicious. Thanks for sharing