Description
These Loaded Cheddar & Bacon Chicken Fingers are a deliciously crispy, cheesy treat that will become your new favorite appetizer. Each tender is coated with a flavorful mix of shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, and panko breadcrumbs, creating a satisfying crunch with every bite. Perfect for game day, parties, or family dinners, these chicken fingers are sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken tenders (about 8–10 pieces)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- Cooking spray or oil (for greasing)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
- Prepare the Chicken Tenders: In a shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to ensure it sticks.
- Arrange on the Baking Sheet: Place the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray for extra crispiness.
- Bake the Chicken Fingers: Bake the chicken fingers in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
- Serve: Serve the Loaded Cheddar & Bacon Chicken Fingers hot with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy this delicious, cheesy, and crispy treat!
Notes
- If you prefer extra crispy chicken fingers, broil them for 1-2 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to avoid burning.
- For a spicy kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.
- You can swap out the cheddar cheese for other cheeses like mozzarella or Monterey Jack for a different flavor profile.
- Serve these chicken fingers with dipping sauces like ranch, barbecue sauce, or honey mustard for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Party Food
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (2-3 tenders)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Loaded Cheddar Bacon Chicken Tenders, Cheddar Bacon Chicken Fingers, Crispy Chicken Tenders, Baked Chicken Fingers, Bacon Cheddar Chicken Appetizer, Chicken Finger Recipe, Cheddar Chicken Tenders, Easy Chicken Appetizers