Cheez It Chicken
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Cheez it chicken is a crunchy fun chicken dish with shredded cheddar cheese and Cheez-it crackers for a flavorful chicken tender!
This Cheez-it chicken recipe is a huge hit in our home because it combines the two things my kids love: chicken strips and cheese crackers! We like to dip these in our homemade BBQ sauce and serve with air fryer french fries.
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Cheez It Chicken
Cheez It Chicken
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Why you’ll love this recipe!
📌 The crunchy Cheez-it coating mixed with more cheddar cheese.
📌 The mayonnaise keeps the chicken tenders nice and juicy!
📌 Flavorful and a fun spin on chicken tenders.
Cheez-it Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken – Chicken tenderloins.
- Mayonnaise – Full fat mayo works best for this recipe.
- Cheese – Shredded cheddar cheese.
- Crackers – Cheez-it crackers or another variety of cheese cracker, crushed.
- Seasoning – Garlic salt, paprika.
- Oil – Cooking spray.
How do you make chicken coated with cheez it crackers? (step-by-step directions)
⭐ First, combine the mayonnaise and the shredded cheddar cheese in a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add the chicken tenderloins and stir to coat the tenders.
⭐ Next, in a separate mixing bowl, combine the Cheez-it crumbs, garlic salt and paprika. Place chicken on a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet.
⭐ Then, spray the tops of the chicken tenders with cooking spray and cook chicken tenders until meat reaches a safe internal temperature.
⭐ Finally, enjoy as is or with your favorite dipping sauce.
Scroll down to the printable recipe card toward the bottom of this article for ingredient measurements and detailed cooking instructions.
Preparation
Can you make Cheez-it chicken ahead of time?
Yes, these can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to serve. Reheat in the oven or air fryer to crisp up the breading.
What kind of chicken to use for Cheez-it chicken?
We used chicken breast tenderloins, but you could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs cut into strips.
What type of cheese cracker to use for Cheez-it chicken?
We used regular Cheez-its for this recipe but you can use whatever cheese cracker you prefer. Goldfish would work well or any other cheese cracker that your family enjoys.
Can something other than mayonnaise be used to coat the chicken?
Yes, if mayo isn’t your thing you can try using sour cream or plain Greek yogurt in place of the mayonnaise. Note that this may change the flavor or texture.
Storage and leftovers
How do you reheat Cheez-it chicken?
Reheat in the air fryer at the same temp you cooked them initially. Cook for 4 – 6 minutes, or until crispy and warmed to your liking. They can also be reheated in the toaster oven or microwave.
Can you freeze Cheez-it chicken?
Yes, if you’d like to freeze them, allow the tenders to cool, then place in a freezer safe, airtight container for 3 – 6 months.
For best results allow the tenders to cool to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator for a few hours before wrapping in parchment and placing in a freezer safe container and freezing.
Tips and tricks
✅ Add a teaspoon of chipotle powder or cayenne pepper to the cracker mixture for a spicier chicken tender.
✅ Substitute sour cream or greek yogurt for the mayonnaise if desired.
✅ Switch up the Cheez-its with different flavors like pepper jack, white cheddar or colby jack.
✅ Use a gluten free cheese cracker to make these gluten free.
✅ You can drizzle melted butter or vegetable oil on the chicken tenders instead of spraying cooking spray if desired.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use bone-in chicken pieces instead of chicken tenderloins?
Yes, you can use bone-in chicken pieces such as drumsticks or thighs, but keep in mind that the cooking time may need to be adjusted accordingly to ensure they are cooked through.
How should I crush the Cheez-it crackers?
You can crush them in a food processor for a finer texture, or place them in a resealable plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin or mallet until they reach a coarse breadcrumb-like consistency.
Can I use an alternative seasoning blend instead of garlic salt and paprika?
Yes, you can customize the seasoning blend to your preference. Experiment with herbs and spices such as Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, or lemon pepper for different flavor profiles. Adjust the seasoning quantities to taste.
What to enjoy with cheez it coated chicken (serving suggestions)
This recipe is a family favorite and definitely a recipe my kids devour every time we make it! We love a good dipping sauce for our chicken tenders, try our homemade honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or homemade ranch dressing!
See more delicious chicken recipes
- 40 clove garlic chicken
- Hawaiian chicken
- Smoked chicken thighs
- Italian dressing chicken
- Peanut butter chicken
- Honey garlic chicken
- Honey mustard chicken
- Honey sriracha chicken
- Teriyaki chicken
- Chicken stroganoff recipe
- See all our easy chicken recipes!
Tools we love
- Digital air fryer – We have a Cosori 5.8 quart air fryer. It’s great!
- Kitchen tongs – Every kitchen needs a good pair of tongs.
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How to Make Cheez It Chicken
Cheez It Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1-1 ½ pounds chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 cups Cheez-it crackers crushed
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- cooking spray
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine the mayonnaise and the shredded cheddar cheese; stir to combine. Add the chicken tenderloins to the your cheese mixture and stir to coat the chicken.
- In a separate mixing bowl combine the Cheez-it crumbs, garlic salt, and paprika. Coat the tenders one at a time with the Cheez-it crumbs and place on a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Spritz the chicken with cooking spray.
- Bake on the center rack of a 400℉ preheated oven for 12 - 15 minutes, or until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165℉, as measured by a meat thermometer.
Notes
Nutrition
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I love how crispy the outside of the chicken is, and the Cheeze It gives it such a nice, crunchy texture. MY new favorite!
My kids are so obsessed with this chicken, we make it just about weekly!
It was a huge hit at my last gathering! The chicken was so crispy and the cheesy coating was addictive, the kids enjoyed it! Need to make this again!
These are my kids new favorite! Love how crunchy these are but so moist and tender! So good!
I made your Cheez It Chicken for dinner last night, and wow, was it a hit with the kids! They loved the crispy Cheez It crust, and I loved how simple it was to make.
I seriously loved this. Really awesome flavor. I had my whole family over and it got devoured, haha! Thanks!
Cheez It Chicken is a surprisingly delicious and fun dish. The combination of shredded cheddar and crushed Cheez-It crackers creates a crunchy, flavorful coating for the chicken tenders
Question. Is it 12 tsp paprika or 1/2? Thanks!
Hi! I was looking for a recipe to use up some Cheezits. However, I’m wondering if you meant 1.5 tsp. of paprika instead of 12? LOL
Hi! The recipe says half (1/2) teaspoon, not 12 🙂