Cheddar Chicken Tenders with Wilted Spinach

Crispy chicken tenders coated in crushed Cheez-It crackers, served alongside quick-wilted spinach. This kid-friendly dish combines the crunch of cheese crackers with tender chicken and nutritious greens.

4 servings
30 min

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • cups Cheez-It Cheddar crackers
  • ¾ teaspoon black pepper
  • lb chicken tenders
  • cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 bag baby spinach
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 475°F. Brush a large shallow baking pan with oil (2 tablespoons).

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Pulse crackers in a food processor until finely ground, then transfer to a wide shallow bowl and stir in 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss tenders with mustard in a large bowl until coated, then dredge, 2 at a time, in cracker crumbs until evenly coated. Arrange tenders in 1 layer, without crowding, in oiled pan. Bake, turning over once, until golden brown, about 15 minutes total.

    20 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, melt butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, then cook spinach, covered, turning with tongs, until spinach is just wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then serve spinach with chicken.

    5 min

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