🥓 Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders 🥓

📢 A Crispy Delight for Family Nights! Cook up joy with these cheesy, bacon-packed tenders perfect for any gathering.

🍽️ Ingredients 🍽️

- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled bacon
- Cooking spray or oil for baking

🧑‍🍳 Directions 🧑‍🍳

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Breading Station:
   Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Mix Cheese and Bacon:
   In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon.

4. Coat the Chicken:
   Take each chicken tender and first coat it in flour, shaking off the excess. Next, dip it in the beaten eggs, letting the extra drip off. Finally, press it into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it's well coated.

5. Add Cheese and Bacon:
   After breading, top each tender with a generous spoonful of the cheese and bacon mixture.

6. Bake:
   Place the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet and spray or drizzle with a little cooking oil. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

7. Serve:
   Let the chicken tenders cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them on their own or with your favorite dipping sauce!

🍎 Nutritional Information 🍎

- Calories: 290 per serving
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Protein: 28g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
- Sodium: 470mg

💡 Tips and Tricks 💡

- For an extra crispy coating, try baking the chicken tenders on a wire rack placed over the baking sheet. This allows air to circulate around the chicken, crisping it up all around.
- If you're looking to cut down on fat, you can bake the chicken tenders without the additional cheese and bacon topping, adding it just a few minutes before the end of baking to melt it perfectly.

⏳ Preparation time 🍰

Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 15 minutes | Serving: 4