Doritos Chicken Tenders Recipe

If you’re ready for a playful spin on a classic comfort food, Doritos Chicken Tenders are about to become your newest obsession. Imagine juicy chicken tenders wrapped in a zesty, cheesy crust, baked to crispy, golden perfection. Each bite explodes with flavor—bold nacho cheese mingling beautifully with savory spices. Whether you’re serving these up for a fun weeknight dinner, a party appetizer, or a casual game day snack, Doritos Chicken Tenders promise to delight every crowd and satisfy every crave-worthy, crunchy chicken craving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Doritos Chicken Tenders lies in a handful of simple but strategic ingredients. Each component brings its own touch—whether it’s flavor, crunch, color, or juiciness—so don’t skip a thing!

• Chicken tenders: Opt for tenderloins—they’re just the right size and turn out juicy every time.
• Crushed Doritos (Nacho Cheese flavor): The star of the show, bringing bold flavor and that irresistible crispy cheese shell.
• All-purpose flour: This helps the coating stick and adds a light, crispy finish.
• Large eggs: Essential for binding everything together and keeping the tenders super moist.
• Milk: Whisked with the eggs, it helps the coating cling perfectly to every inch of chicken.
• Garlic powder: A touch of savory depth that rounds out all the cheesy, spicy flavors.
• Paprika: Adds subtle warmth and a hint of color to the crust.
• Salt: Balances the whole flavor profile—don’t forget to season!
• Black pepper: For a bit of background heat that ties it all together.

How to Make Doritos Chicken Tenders

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or give it a light spritz of oil. This step is crucial—not only does it prevent sticking, but it also ensures an easy cleanup (always a win!).

Step 2: Create Three Dipping Stations

Grab three shallow dishes. In the first, combine your all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. This seasoned flour is the flavor base. In the second dish, whisk eggs with the milk until smooth and slightly frothy. In the third, add your star ingredient: those glorious crushed Doritos. Set these up in a row for easy assembly-line dipping.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken Tenders

This is where the fun happens! Dredge each chicken tender in the seasoned flour, coating it evenly, then gently shake off any excess. Dip it right into the egg wash, letting the mixture coat all sides completely—give it a little drip to avoid sogginess. Now, press the tender down into the crushed Doritos. Really pack those crumbs on for maximum crunch. Gently set each coated tender on your prepared baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake Until Crispy and Golden

Slide your tray of coated Doritos Chicken Tenders into the hot oven. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping each tender halfway through to ensure both sides turn out irresistibly crispy. You’ll know they’re done when the crust is a glowing golden orange and the chicken inside is cooked through and juicy.

Step 5: Rest and Serve

Give the Doritos Chicken Tenders just a few minutes to rest after baking—this helps the coating crisp up and keeps everything juicy inside. Now comes the best part: serve ‘em up with your favorite dipping sauces and watch them disappear!

How to Serve Doritos Chicken Tenders

Garnishes

Sprinkle a bit of chopped fresh parsley or cilantro over your Doritos Chicken Tenders for a burst of color and freshness. If you want to up the flavor, a pinch of grated Parmesan or a dash of smoked paprika adds extra flair that looks (and tastes) fantastic.

Side Dishes

Serve these crunchy tenders alongside classics like crispy French fries, coleslaw, or a simple green salad to balance the cheesy richness. For something special, try roasted corn on the cob or sweet potato wedges. And don’t forget those crowd-pleasing dips—ranch, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard make perfect companion flavors!

Creative Ways to Present

Need to impress? Skewer your Doritos Chicken Tenders and present them in a mason jar with a dipping sauce on the side. For parties, set up a DIY dipping bar with assorted sauces and mini pickles for garnishing. Or, tuck tenders into a tortilla with slaw for the ultimate crunchy chicken wrap.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any Doritos Chicken Tenders left (lucky you!), let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Layering parchment between them helps prevent sogginess.

Freezing

These chicken tenders freeze like a dream! Arrange cooled tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. They’ll keep their texture for up to 1 month.

Reheating

To regain maximum crunch, reheat leftover Doritos Chicken Tenders in a hot oven (about 400°F) for 8 to 10 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you can—the oven brings that crispiness back to life!

FAQs

Can I use another flavor of Doritos?

Absolutely! While Nacho Cheese is a true classic for Doritos Chicken Tenders, feel free to get creative with Cool Ranch or Spicy Sweet Chili for a cool twist.

How do I prevent the Doritos coating from falling off?

Make sure to firmly press the crushed Doritos onto the chicken after the egg dip, and don’t skip the three-step coating process. Chilling the coated tenders for 10 minutes before baking can also help the crust stick better.

Can I make Doritos Chicken Tenders in the air fryer?

Definitely! Arrange the coated tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.

Are Doritos Chicken Tenders gluten-free?

The original recipe calls for regular flour and Doritos, which both contain gluten. Swap in your favorite gluten-free flour blend and a gluten-free chip if you need a GF-friendly version.

Can I cut the chicken into nugget shapes instead of tenders?

You sure can! Just adjust the baking time down by a few minutes for smaller pieces. The result: perfectly bite-sized Doritos Chicken Nuggets that are great for parties or lunchboxes.

Final Thoughts

If you love bold flavors and crave that ultimate, cheesy crunch, Doritos Chicken Tenders are a must-try in your kitchen. This recipe is just begging for you to dig in, experiment, and make it your own, so grab a bag of Doritos and get cooking—you’ll be hooked after the very first bite!

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