Healthy Buffalo Ranch Baked Chicken Strips Recipe
These Healthy Buffalo Ranch Baked Chicken Strips are a flavorful and guilt-free twist on the classic buffalo chicken. Marinated in a tangy buffalo and ranch seasoning blend, then baked to perfection, these chicken strips offer a spicy, zesty meal that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a game day snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes plus marinating time
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 pound chicken tenders/strips
Marinade
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
Topping Sauce
- 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the chicken strips evenly.
- Prepare Marinade: In a bowl, mix together 1/4 cup buffalo sauce and 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning to create a flavorful marinade that will infuse the chicken strips with spicy and creamy notes.
- Marinate Chicken: Toss the chicken tenders thoroughly in the prepared marinade so each piece is well coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight for deeper flavor penetration.
- Arrange Chicken for Baking: Remove the chicken from the marinade—do not drain off excess sauce—and place the strips spaced out on an oven-safe rack or baking sheet to prevent overcrowding, which helps them bake evenly.
- Bake the Chicken: Cook in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the chicken strips are cooked through and slightly crispy on the edges.
- Add Final Sauce Coating: After baking, brush each chicken strip with the separate topping sauce made by mixing 2 tablespoons buffalo sauce and 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning. This adds extra flavor and moisture to the finished dish.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add extra buffalo sauce to the marinade or topping sauce.
- Use a wire rack over the baking sheet to promote even cooking and crispiness.
- Can be served with celery, carrot sticks, or a side salad for a balanced meal.
- Marinating overnight intensifies the flavour but minimum 1 hour is recommended for best taste.
- Ensure chicken strips are not crowded on the baking surface to promote even cooking.
Keywords: buffalo chicken, baked chicken strips, healthy chicken recipe, buffalo ranch chicken, easy dinner, low fat chicken
