If you’ve never experienced the wild crunch of Doritos Chicken Tenders, you are seriously in for a treat! Imagine juicy, tender chicken enveloped in a golden, zesty Doritos crust — it’s a game-changer for parties, easy dinners, or anytime you’re craving bold flavor and serious crunch. These are baked, not fried, so you get all the fun without the guilt!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbeatable Crunch: Every bite delivers a satisfyingly crunchy coating, thanks to your favorite Doritos blitzed into flavor-packed crumbs.
- Kid-and-Adult Favorite: Both little hands and grown-up snackers go wild for the fun, bold ranch or nacho flavor and tender chicken at the center.
- Ridiculously Simple: With just a handful of ingredients and a super quick prep (no frying, no fuss!), Doritos Chicken Tenders make dinner or snacks stress-free.
- Perfect for Parties: These are true crowd-pleasers, disappearing first at game nights, movie marathons, and family gatherings!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need four simple ingredients to make your Doritos Chicken Tenders pop with color, flavor, and irresistible crunch! Each one plays a crucial role, from the juicy chicken to the bright, bold chip coating. Here’s why you don’t want to skip a single item:
- Chicken Breasts or Chicken Tenders (1 lb): The heart of this dish. Use tenders for convenience or breasts, sliced into 1” strips for perfectly juicy bites.
- Doritos (1 x 235g bag): The magic ingredient! Blitzed into crumbs, they turn plain chicken into a zesty, crispy fiesta. Try different flavors for new twists.
- Egg (1): Acts as a glue, ensuring that gorgeous Dorito coating sticks tightly to your chicken.
- Milk (¼ cup): Helps thin out the egg so every strip gets an even, glossy dunk — no dry patches here!
Variations
One of my favorite things about Doritos Chicken Tenders is how easy they are to put your own spin on! Don’t be afraid to get creative — all you need is a different chip flavor, a gluten-free swap, or an extra kick of spice to make these tenders your own.
- Spicy Upgrade: Use Spicy Nacho or Flamin’ Hot Doritos for an extra kick that heat-lovers will adore.
- Cool Ranch Style: Swap in Cool Ranch Doritos for a tangy, herb-infused twist — amazing with ranch dip on the side!
- Gluten-Free Option: Choose gluten-free tortilla chips (or find gluten-free Doritos) and follow the same recipe.
- Cheese Lovers: Mix a little shredded cheddar into your Dorito crumbs before coating for an extra cheesy finish.
How to Make Doritos Chicken Tenders
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Rack
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with tinfoil for easy cleanup and lay an oven-safe rack on top. This setup allows air to circulate all around the Doritos Chicken Tenders so they bake up extra crispy.
Step 2: Set Up Your Dredging Stations
In a shallow dish, whisk together your egg and milk until well combined – this becomes the bath that makes your crunchy coating stick. In a separate shallow bowl, pulse the Doritos in a food processor until they resemble bright orange, sand-like crumbs, then pour those into the second dish. This is where the magic begins!
Step 3: Slice and Coat the Chicken
If you’re using chicken breasts instead of pre-sliced tenders, cut them into strips about 1” thick so they cook evenly and are perfectly snackable. Dip each chicken piece first into the egg-milk mixture (let any excess drip off), then press firmly into the Doritos crumbs, ensuring each tender is totally coated in that fabulous crunch.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Arrange your coated Doritos Chicken Tenders in a single layer on the prepared baking rack, spacing them out so the hot air crisps up every inch. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the center reads 165°F. The tenders will be sizzling, golden, and ready to devour!
Pro Tips for Making Doritos Chicken Tenders
- Rack Matters: Always bake your Doritos Chicken Tenders on a rack—this prevents soggy bottoms and guarantees crunch all the way around.
- Double Dip for Extra Crunch: If you want a super-thick crust, dunk your chicken in the egg-milk and Dorito crumbs twice—just be sure to gently press the crumbs into the chicken so it really sticks.
- Use Fresh Doritos: Open a new bag or use chips that are still crunchy—Dorito crumbs that have gone soft won’t give you that signature crispy bite.
- Customize Your Crunch: For a more rustic texture, pulse Doritos less finely for chunkier bits in your coating, or go extra fine for a super-even breading.
How to Serve Doritos Chicken Tenders
Garnishes
Give these golden tenders a pop of green with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or chives, or add a dusting of freshly grated parmesan for extra flavor. For a party platter, nestle your Doritos Chicken Tenders alongside a bowl of creamy ranch or tangy salsa for dipping—it’s those little touches that make them irresistible.
Side Dishes
Pair your Doritos Chicken Tenders with classic sides like crispy French fries, a simple green salad, or crunchy coleslaw. For a fun twist, serve with sweet potato wedges or corn on the cob—the bold flavors play off the cheesy chip coating perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn these tenders into mini-slider sandwiches with soft buns and a swipe of spicy mayo, or slice them onto tacos with avocado and shredded lettuce. If you’re feeling playful, serve them on skewers for bite-sized party treats—kids and adults both absolutely love them!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Doritos Chicken Tenders keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to place them in an airtight container lined with a paper towel—the towel helps absorb any excess moisture so the crust stays crispier for longer.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these! Lay the cooked and cooled tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. This makes it super easy to pull out a few at a time for quick snacks or lunches.
Reheating
The best way to re-crisp frozen or refrigerated Doritos Chicken Tenders is in a 375°F oven or air fryer for about 8–10 minutes. Microwaving works in a pinch, but you may lose some crunch—so the oven method is definitely my go-to!
FAQs
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Can I use any flavor of Doritos for Doritos Chicken Tenders?
Absolutely! The classic Nacho Cheese variety is a crowd-pleaser, but feel free to experiment with Cool Ranch, Spicy Sweet Chili, or whatever flavor makes your tastebuds happiest. Each flavor will give the tenders a different twist, so let your snack instincts lead the way!
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Can Doritos Chicken Tenders be made gluten-free?
Yes! While most Doritos contain gluten, there are some gluten-free varieties and gluten-free tortilla chips available. Use those in place of regular Doritos, and you’re good to go—always check the label just to be sure.
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How do I keep the coating from falling off during baking?
The key is making sure the chicken is well coated in the egg-milk mixture, then pressing the Dorito crumbs onto the meat so they stick—don’t be afraid to gently pat them on! Also, handle the coated tenders carefully and try not to overcrowd them on the baking rack.
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Can I air fry Doritos Chicken Tenders instead of baking?
Definitely! Arrange the tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket and cook at 375°F for about 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’re extra crunchy this way, and it’s a super-speedy option!
Final Thoughts
No matter how you serve them up, Doritos Chicken Tenders are pure crunchy-cheesy joy on a plate! I know you’re going to love making (and snacking on) these as much as I do. Have fun with the flavors, and get ready for lots of requests for seconds — this is one recipe you’ll return to again and again!
Print
Doritos Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Doritos chicken tenders are a fun twist on a classic dish, combining the crunch of Doritos with tender chicken for a flavorful and easy-to-make meal.
Ingredients
Egg Mixture:
- 1 Egg
- 1/4 cup Milk
Dorito Coating:
- 1 235g bag Doritos
Chicken:
- 1 lb Chicken Breasts or Chicken Tenders
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 400F.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with tinfoil and place an oven-safe rack overtop.
- Mix Egg and Milk: In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg and milk. Set aside.
- Crush Doritos: Place the Doritos in a food processor and blitz until chips resemble breadcrumbs. Empty into a second shallow dish.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into strips about 1″ thick.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge the chicken tenders in the egg-milk mixture, and then coat completely in the Dorito crumbs.
- Bake: Place the coated chicken tenders on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes until an inserted meat thermometer reads 165F.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
