Doritos Crusted Chicken Tenders

These crispy Doritos crusted chicken tenders always steal the show at my table and disappear faster than you can say snack time. Each piece is juicy inside with a golden crunchy coating that packs the cheesy zesty punch of Cool Ranch Doritos. You only need a handful of ingredients and less than half an hour to get a plateful of fun and flavor

I tried this method on a whim for a family movie night and everyone now asks for them whenever we do a snack dinner or potluck

Ingredients

• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Go for fresh and plump breasts for juiciness and slice them evenly for even cooking
• Cool Ranch Doritos: These bring the flavor and crunch Pick a fresh bag and crush to medium sized bits not powder
• All purpose flour: Helps the crunchy coating stick and gives an extra crispy bite Use unbleached if possible
• Large eggs: Beating the eggs well ensures an even coating Opt for good quality eggs for better color and taste
• Milk: Adds moisture for the dredging process Whole or two percent milk helps the breading stick

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Oven and Pans:

Set your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line two baking sheets with foil or brush on a little olive oil If you have a wire rack that fits on the baking sheet use it for extra crispiness

Prepare the Chicken:

Slice each chicken breast into strips about three to four inches long and two to three inches wide Try to keep them as similar in size as you can for even cooking Place the sliced chicken in a bowl and set aside

Crunch the Doritos:

Open the bag of Cool Ranch Doritos Hold the top closed and squeeze and crush the chips until they are about the size of corn flakes You want texture not dust

Set Up the Dredging Station:

Pour milk into the first bowl flour into the second and beaten eggs into the third Place your crushed Doritos in a fourth bowl Line everything up milk flour eggs Doritos baking sheet and keep a damp cloth nearby for sticky fingers

Bread the Chicken:

One at a time dunk each chicken slice in milk coat with flour dip in egg and cover completely in crushed Doritos Press gently to stick and lay on the baking sheet Try not to crowd the pan

Bake to Crispy Perfection:

Bake in your hot oven for fifteen to twenty minutes Flip each tender over once halfway through baking so both sides crisp up Test a piece to make sure the chicken is cooked through with no pink inside

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The first time I made these my youngest ran around showing off the crunch and called it party chicken Now it is our must have for movie nights with popcorn on the side

Storage Tips

Cool the tenders before packing them in an airtight container in your fridge They stay fresh for up to four days To keep the coating crisp reheat in an oven or air fryer not the microwave If you want to freeze them place fully cooled tenders in a zip bag or freezer container Lay flat and freeze up to three months Then just reheat straight from frozen

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use any Doritos flavor you love like Nacho Cheese or Spicy Sweet Chili If you want it gluten free swap the flour for a gluten free blend and check that your chips are GF too You can use chicken tenderloins instead of slicing breasts and skim milk works in a pinch

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Serving Suggestions

Pile them high on a platter and offer ranch dip BBQ sauce or honey mustard for dunking I like to sprinkle fresh sliced green onions or chopped cilantro over the top for color Can also serve these in wraps or tacos with lettuce and salsa for a fun twist

Cultural Context

This recipe takes classic Southern fried chicken tenders on a playful detour using a favorite snack chip for the breading Kids and adults in North America have been dipping fried chicken in all sorts of crunchy coatings from cornflakes to potato chips Doritos add instant nostalgia and a boost of flavor making them a modern party favorite

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I make the Doritos stick to the chicken?

Ensure your chicken strips are well coated by dredging them in milk, then flour, then eggs before pressing into crushed Doritos. This layering helps the chips adhere and creates a crisp coating during baking.

→ Can I use other Doritos flavors?

Absolutely! While Cool Ranch adds a tangy flavor, any Doritos variety—such as Nacho Cheese—works well for the coating, depending on your taste preferences.

→ Is it possible to prepare these in advance?

You can prepare and bread the chicken ahead of time, then refrigerate it until ready to bake. Cooked tenders also store well in the fridge and can be reheated when needed.

→ What dipping sauces pair best with these tenders?

Popular options include BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, honey mustard, or even a spicy aioli. Choose your favorite based on the Doritos flavor used for the crust.

→ Can these be made gluten-free?

For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free flour and ensure your chosen chip variety doesn’t contain wheat ingredients.

→ How should leftovers be stored and reheated?

Store cooled tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.