Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prepare and Season
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top; spray the rack lightly with cooking spray.
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels. In a bowl, toss them with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
Make the Breading Station
- Set up three shallow dishes: 1) flour, 2) whisked eggs with milk, 3) panko breadcrumbs mixed with grated Parmesan.
- One at a time, dredge each seasoned tender in flour (shake off excess), dip into the egg mixture, then press into the panko-Parmesan mixture to coat thoroughly. Place each coated tender on the prepared wire rack.
Crisp the Turkey Bacon
- Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Cook the turkey bacon strips 3–5 minutes per side until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and, once cool, crumble into pieces. Reserve half for the sauce and half for garnish.
Bake the Tenders
- Lightly mist the coated tenders with cooking spray or brush with a little oil. Bake on the middle rack for 12–15 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the exterior is golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C). If you prefer extra crispness, broil 1–2 minutes while watching closely.
Prepare the Cheddar-Ranch Sauce
- While the tenders bake, combine the softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt in a bowl and whisk until smooth. Stir in shredded cheddar, ranch seasoning, sliced scallions, and lemon juice until evenly blended. Fold in half of the crumbled turkey bacon.
Serve
- Arrange hot chicken tenders on a platter, spoon or drizzle the cheddar-ranch sauce over them, and sprinkle with the remaining crumbled turkey bacon and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
