Description
Juicy, oven-baked chicken strips coated in a bold buffalo-ranch seasoning—gluten-free, low-carb, and weeknight-easy with optional air-fryer directions.
Ingredients
1 lb (450 g) chicken tenders or chicken breast cut into strips
3/8 cup (6 tbsp) buffalo sauce
2 tbsp ranch seasoning (use gluten-free if needed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment and lightly grease or mist with oil.
- Pat chicken dry. In a bowl, toss chicken with the buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Sprinkle ranch seasoning over the sauced chicken, turning to coat all sides.
- Arrange strips on the prepared sheet in a single layer (leave space between pieces). Optional for extra browning: lightly mist the tops with oil.
- Bake 15–18 minutes, flipping once halfway, until the thickest piece reaches 165°F (74°C). For deeper color, broil 1–2 minutes at the end.
- Rest 3 minutes. Serve as is or toss with an extra spoonful of warm buffalo sauce. Air fryer option: 400°F (200°C) for 8–10 minutes, flipping at 5 minutes, to 165°F (74°C).
Notes
Spice control: Use mild or hot buffalo sauce; add a pinch of cayenne for extra heat or cut with a little BBQ/honey mustard for milder.
Crunchy variation: For a low-carb crust, press seasoned strips into finely crushed pork rinds or almond flour before baking; extend bake 1–2 minutes if needed.
DIY ranch: Mix 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried dill, 1/2 tsp dried parsley, 1/2 tsp dried chives, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper.
Gluten-free: Choose certified GF ranch seasoning and buffalo sauce.
Serving ideas: Pair with veggie sticks, a green salad, or serve over cauliflower rice or greens bowls.
Doneness: Pull at 165°F (74°C) for juicy strips; do not overbake.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe (about 2 oz cooked)
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 19 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg