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Doritos chicken tenders come out of the oven crazy crunchy and full of that tangy cheesiness everyone loves. This is my go-to for a low-effort meal that everyone demolishes. You barely need any time or ingredients—just toss them together and dig in.
I first made these when we did snacks for movie night and now my crowd begs for them every single time we eat picnic style or go to potlucks.
Tasty Ingredients
- Milk: Goes in the breading station to help everything cling. Any milk works, but whole or 2% is best.
- Large eggs: Whisk them well so they coat every bit. Good eggs give nicer color and more flavor.
- Cool Ranch Doritos: This is where that sweet crunch and cheesy kick come from. Smash them up, but don’t go overboard—leave some texture.
- All purpose flour: Makes the crust super crunchy. Try for unbleached if it’s around.
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Fresh is best. Slice into even strips so they cook the same.
Simple Steps
- Crisp It Up in the Oven:
- Put everything in the hot oven and bake for fifteen to twenty minutes. Partway through, flip your tenders for even browning. Make sure the chicken is done—no pink left.
- Bread Each Chicken Strip:
- Dunk every piece into milk, coat with flour, dip in eggs, then bury in crushed Doritos. Press to make them stick, and spread out on your baking tray so they’re not touching.
- Set Up the Breading Line:
- Line up four bowls: first for milk, second for flour, third for eggs, and last for your crushed chips. Arrange the bowls and your baking sheet so you can move right down the line. Keep a damp towel handy if things get messy.
- Crunch Up Chips:
- Take your Doritos and crush them while still in the bag. You want flakes, not powdery crumbs.
- Get Chicken Sliced:
- Cut chicken lengthwise into strips about three inches long and two inches wide. Try for similar sizes so they cook up evenly. Toss them in a bowl.
- Heat the Oven and Prep Pans:
- Fire up your oven to 400 degrees F. Cover two baking pans with foil or use a slick of olive oil. If you’ve got a wire rack, set it in your pan—makes things extra crisp.
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When I first cooked these, my youngest wouldn’t stop showing off the noises from the crunchy bite! Now it’s mandatory for every movie night—popcorn on the side is a must.
Storing Leftovers
Once they’re cool, stash the tenders in a sealed container in your fridge. They’ll keep good for four days. Want to keep them crispy? Toss them in the oven or air fryer, not the microwave. For making ahead: freeze cooled tenders flat in a freezer bag or box for up to three months. You can cook them from frozen—so easy.
Swaps That Work
Swap in any Doritos flavor that makes you happy, like Nacho Cheese or Spicy Sweet Chili. If gluten’s an issue, pick a GF flour mix and read your chip label. You can grab already-cut chicken tenderloins or use skim milk if you don’t have anything else.
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Fun Ways to Serve
Pile these high with a side of ranch, BBQ, or honey mustard for dunking. I like a handful of chopped green onions or cilantro over the top for extra color. Try wrapping them in tortillas with some salsa and lettuce for taco night—so good.
Food Culture Origins
This dish spins classic Southern chicken strips by swapping in a favorite crunchy snack for the breading. In the US, folks have gotten creative with chip and cereal coatings for ages. Using Doritos means instant flavor and nostalgia—a reason it’s a hit at parties today.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What makes Doritos stick to the chicken?
First, dunk your chicken in milk. Then roll it in flour, dip in eggs, and finally press into crushed Doritos. This way the chips grab on and get super crispy in the oven.
- → Can I swap the Doritos flavor?
Definitely! Cool Ranch is tangy, but try Nacho Cheese or any flavor you love—they all work for the crunchy coating.
- → Can I prep these ahead of time?
You sure can. Bread your chicken and chill it 'til you want to bake. Already baked strips will store in the fridge and reheat well.
- → Which dipping sauces go great with these?
Ranch, BBQ, honey mustard, or even something spicy. Choose a dip that goes with whichever Doritos you used.
- → Is there a gluten-free option?
Yep. Just use gluten-free flour and check your chips for wheat. Then you're set.
- → What's the best way to keep leftovers fresh?
Put cooled strips in a sealed container in the fridge up to four days. For crunch, warm them up in the oven or air fryer.