Jalapeno Ranch Chicken Tenders
Crispy, crunchy Jalapeno Ranch Chicken Tenders will make your mouth happy! This is THE fried chicken recipe you’ve been waiting for!
Hot Jalapeno Ranch Chicken Tenders served with a cool dipping sauce might be the best crunchy-creamy combo ever! Boneless chicken coated in parmesan bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, and jalapeno ranch dressing then skillet fried to absolute perfection! SO YUMMY!
Everybody Loves Chicken Tenders!
Chicken tenders, chicken strips, chicken fingers – it doesn’t matter what you call them – we all love them! Even Taylor Swift claims them as her favorite food!
These delicious Jalapeno Ranch Chicken Tenders take that love to a deeper level. A generous sprinkle of parmesan and a gentle jalapeno kick give this chicken a scrumptious spicy crunch that’s like no other! Dip these in a Hidden Valley ranch or homemade Jalapeno Ranch Dressing for the perfect finish!
Other Recipes to Serve with Jalapeno Ranch Chicken
- What could go better with spicy fried chicken strips than a creamy Classic Macaroni and Cheese? This recipe is the epitome of comfort food!
- Jazz up your jalapeno chicken dinner with a Citrus Cilantro Slaw. The cool, sweet citrus flavor beautifully balances out the chicken’s heat and adds bright, healthy color to the table.
Ingredients
Chicken: Grab nine chicken tenders or three large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I usually buy whichever one is on sale.
Breading: The coating for these chicken tenders uses grated Parmesan cheese, Panko bread crumbs (yes, you can use the gluten-free option here!), and Italian seasoning.
Oil: I like using vegetable oil to fry these tenders, but canola oil or bacon grease would also work great.
Sauce: Jalapeno ranch dressing is the hero of this recipe! You’ll need some to adhere to the tenders’ creations, and then we’ll serve some with the cooked tenders for dipping.
How to Make Jalapeno Ranch Chicken Tenders
STEP ONE: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and pour in enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the pan and come up the sides about 1/4 inch. Mix the bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning in a shallow bowl. Pour the jalapeno ranch dressing into another shallow bowl.
STEP TWO: First, dip each chicken tender into the ranch dressing, coating all sides. Then, dip it into the mixture of breadcrumbs until it is covered in the breading.
STEP THREE: Place some chicken tenders in the hot oil and fry for about 6 minutes. Flip the chicken and continue cooking for another 4-6 minutes until it reaches 165 degrees F internal temperature. You’ll need to work in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
STEP FOUR: Serve the tenders on a platter with a bowl of jalapeno ranch dressing for dipping. You can garnish the tenders with chopped parsley and jalapeno slices if desired.
Tips for Success
- Don’t be scared of seasoning! Add a healthy amount to the flour to give the chicken a bold, mouthwatering flavor.
- Cheese these up with cheese cracker crumbs instead of plain panko breadcrumbs for a cheddar version.
- Cast iron is the ideal skillet for pan-frying chicken because it holds consistent heat well.
- Once the chicken breasts are dipped into the coating, let them rest a couple of minutes before tossing into the frying pan. This allows the crumbs to soften, which means they will better crisp up.
- These chicken breasts make amazing chicken sandwiches, tacos, and salad toppings!
Why Does Ranch Dressing Taste Better at Restaurants?
Salads always seem to taste better at restaurants. Why is that? Simple. Most restaurants add extra-flavorful ingredients into their dressing mixes. Ingredients like cream cheese, sour cream or yogurt are often added to the base, and fresh ingredients like minced garlic and fresh herbs are blended in for extra zest.
Can I Make Jalapeno Ranch Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?
Of course you can make chicken fingers in the air fryer! I skillet fry this recipe because I like the extra richness the oil adds. But you can EASILY toss these breaded chicken strips in (single layer only) and air fry for about 12 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. They will be light, golden, and crispy.
Other Remarkable Ranch Recipes!
- Crock Pot King Ranch Chicken Soup
- Bacon Ranch Chicken
- Grilled Ranch Potatoes
- Ranch BLT Roll Ups
- Spicy Ranch Cauliflower
- BBQ Ranch Chicken Tacos
*This post was originally posted on 09/04/2013.
Jalapeno Ranch Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 9 boneless skinless chicken tenders (see note)
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup jalapeno ranch dressing plus more for dipping
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- Jalapeno slices for garnish
Instructions
- Pour the vegetable oil into a large skillet so that it comes up the sides about 1/4 inch. Place over medium-high heat.
- Mix the bread crumbs, parmesan, and Italian seasoning in a shallow bowl. Pour the jalapeno ranch dressing into another shallow bowl and spread it out a bit.
- Dip the chicken tenders first in the dressing until coated on all sides. Then dip it into the bread crumbs mixture until evenyl breaded.
- Carefully place the coated chicken tenders into the hot oil. (Do not overcrowd the pan – work in batches.) Cook for 6 minutes, and then flip the chicken tenders. Cook for another 4-6 minutes until cooked through to 165 degrees F internal temperature.
- Use tongs to remove the tenders to a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Serve warm on a platter with more jalapeno ranch dressing for dipping. Garnish with chopped parsley and jalapeno slice if desired.
so i made these tonight and before i started i wondered how it would stick to the chicken. it sticks to the pan and falls off. i am thinking that maybe you should freeze them for a bit before frying or maybe you could bake them instead. any thoughts??
You turned them too soon. Any breading will stick to bottom of pan if turned/removed too soon. Might be you didn’t have the heat high enough when you put them in. Adequate oil? I made them with no problem Very easy!
This is my kind of chicken dish. Sounds super easy, too. Your pic is amazing!
Thank you so much Gloria and thanks for the compliment on my picture!!! It is really yummy!