Dorito Chicken Tenders

Dorito Chicken Tenders are a fun, flavorful twist on classic chicken strips, perfect for busy weeknights, parties, or kid-friendly dinners. Using crushed Doritos as the coating adds bold flavor, an irresistible crunch, and a playful twist that everyone will love. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a quick oven bake, this easy recipe delivers crispy, juicy chicken in under 25 minutes. Choose any Doritos flavor—Nacho Cheese, Cool Ranch, Spicy Nacho, or even Flamin’ Hot—to customize the taste exactly how you like it.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (9.25 ounces) Doritos, crushed to make 1 ½ cups
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾-inch strips

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Cut the chicken breasts into strips, about ¾ inch thick.
• Crush the Doritos in a bag or food processor until you have 1 ½ cups of crumbs.
• Whisk together the egg and milk in a separate bowl.
• Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, coating well.
• Press each strip into the crushed Doritos, covering completely.
• Place coated chicken strips on a foil-lined baking sheet.
• Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray for extra crispiness.
• Bake for 15–17 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and crisp.
• Serve with ranch, sour cream, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Serving Tips

• Serve the Dorito Chicken Tenders hot and fresh from the oven for maximum crunch.
• Pair with dipping sauces like ranch, sour cream, honey mustard, queso, or chipotle mayo.
• Add a side of fries, coleslaw, mac and cheese, or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal.
• Slice the tenders and serve in wraps, tacos, or on top of salads for a fun twist.
• For parties, serve with multiple sauce options to let guests customize their flavor experience.

Storage Tips

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes to restore crispiness; avoid microwaving as it softens the coating.
• Freeze uncooked coated chicken strips on a tray, then transfer to freezer bags for up to 2 months. Bake from frozen and add 4–5 extra minutes.
• If freezing cooked tenders, let them cool completely before packaging to prevent sogginess.
• Store crushed Doritos separately if prepping ahead to keep them crisp until ready to use.

Variations

1. Cool Ranch Dorito Chicken
   Use Cool Ranch Doritos for a tangy, herby coating that pairs perfectly with ranch dip.
2. Spicy Sweet Chili Dorito Chicken
   Choose Spicy Sweet Chili chips for a sweet-heat combo—delicious with sweet chili sauce.
3. Flamin’ Hot Dorito Chicken
   For heat lovers, Flamin’ Hot Doritos add bold spice—serve with cooling sour cream.
4. Nacho Cheese & Parmesan Mix
   Mix crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos with grated Parmesan for a cheesy, savory crust.
5. BBQ Ranch Dorito Chicken
   Blend half Nacho Cheese and half BBQ chips for smoky flavor with ranch on the side.
6. Taco Dorito Chicken Strips
   Use Taco-flavored Doritos and serve with salsa, guacamole, and lime wedges.
7. Buffalo Ranch Dorito Chicken
   Mix crushed Cool Ranch Doritos with a tablespoon of dry ranch seasoning for extra flavor.
8. Cheesy Jalapeño Mix
   Combine Spicy Nacho chips with pickled jalapeño crumbs (pulse dried jalapeños) for heat.
9. Crispy Dorito Chicken Nuggets
   Cut chicken into nugget-sized pieces for a kid-friendly version; bake 1–2 minutes less.
10. Air Fryer Dorito Chicken
    Cook at 380°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway—super crunchy with less oil.
11. Dorito Chicken Tacos
    Slice cooked strips and stuff into tortillas with lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo.
12. Dorito Chicken Sandwich
    Layer the tenders on a bun with cheese, lettuce, and ranch for an easy sandwich.
13. Garlic Herb Dorito Chicken
    Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder and Italian herbs to the Dorito crumbs for extra flavor.
14. Honey Mustard Dorito Chicken
    Serve the tenders drizzled with warm honey mustard for a sweet-savory combo.
15. Queso Dorito Chicken
    Dip the cooked strips in warm queso sauce for an ultra-cheesy version.

FAQs

1. Can I use any flavor of Doritos?
   Yes, any flavor works—Nacho Cheese, Cool Ranch, Spicy Sweet Chili, or even Flamin’ Hot.
2. Can I make these ahead of time?
   Yes, coat the chicken in advance and refrigerate up to 12 hours before baking.
3. Can I air fry Dorito Chicken Tenders?
   Absolutely—cook at 380°F for 10–12 minutes for a crispy finish.
4. How do I keep the Doritos from falling off?
   Press the crumbs firmly onto the chicken and make sure it’s fully coated in the egg mixture.
5. Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
   Yes, thighs work well—just cut them into strips and adjust baking time as needed.
6. Can I use flavored dipping sauces?
   Yes, ranch, sour cream, queso, BBQ sauce, chipotle mayo, or honey mustard are great choices.
7. How do I reheat leftovers without losing crunch?
   Bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes to re-crisp the coating.
8. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
   Yes, use gluten-free chips instead of Doritos.
9. Can I double the recipe?
   Yes, simply multiply ingredients; bake in batches for best results.
10. Why did my coating get soggy?
    This happens if the chicken is crowded on the baking tray—leave space between strips.

Dorito Chicken Tenders are an easy, flavorful recipe that brings excitement to the dinner table. With their crunchy Dorito coating and quick baking time, they’re perfect for satisfying cravings without extra effort. This versatile recipe adapts to any Doritos flavor you love, making it a fun option for both kids and adults. Serve them hot with your favorite sauces and enjoy a simple meal bursting with bold flavor.

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