These Doritos chicken tenders are a heavenly combination of crunchy, savory, and utterly delicious. The recipe is quite simple, requiring just a few ingredients and minimal prep time. First, cut up your chicken into tender-sized pieces. Then, dip each piece into a mixture of beaten eggs and spices.
The juicy chicken is then coated in crushed Doritos, creating a crispy and flavorful outer layer. Finally, bake them in the oven until they are golden brown and perfectly cooked through. These Dorito chicken tenders are guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering or as a fun twist on a classic weeknight dinner. Trust me, you won’t be able to resist these crunchy bites of chicken perfection!
Tips for Perfecting the Recipe
Choice of Doritos: While Nacho Cheese Doritos are recommended, feel free to experiment with different flavors to find your favorite. Each flavor can add a unique twist to the recipe.
Crushing Doritos: Ensure the Doritos are crushed to the right consistency. They should be small enough to stick to the chicken easily but not so fine that they turn into powder. You want to maintain some texture for a better crunch.
Even Coating: When dipping the chicken in the Doritos, press the crumbs onto the chicken to ensure an even and thorough coating. This helps achieve a consistent crispy texture all around.
Avoid Soggy Coating: If preparing a large batch, work in smaller batches with the Doritos. Adding all the crushed Doritos at once can cause them to become soggy from the egg wash, making them less effective at sticking to the chicken.
Chicken Preparation: Slice the chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking. If the pieces are uneven, thinner parts may overcook while thicker parts remain undercooked.
Baking Sheet Preparation: Use a foil-lined baking sheet for easy cleanup. Additionally, placing a wire rack on the baking sheet and putting the chicken on the rack can help circulate air around the chicken, leading to an even crispier coating.
Avoid Overcooking: Keep an eye on the chicken while it’s in the oven to prevent overcooking. Overcooked chicken can become dry and tough. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Serving Suggestions: While ranch or sour cream are classic dips, don’t hesitate to try other sauces like honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or a spicy mayo for variety.
Resting Time: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring the chicken is moist and tender.
Experiment with Sizes: Besides strips, you can also cut the chicken into nuggets or use whole chicken breasts for a different presentation and serving size.
Ingredients Needed for This Recipe
1 Bag of Doritos (any flavor, Nacho Cheese recommended)
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
2 chicken breasts
Instructions for Making Doritos Chicken Tenders
Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken into strips, about ¾ inch thick.
Crush Doritos: Crush the Doritos until you have 1 ½ cups of crushed Doritos.
Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk.
Coating: Dip each chicken strip in the egg mixture and then into the crushed Doritos. Make sure to press the chips into the chicken so the whole strip is coated.
Baking Preparation: Place the coated chicken strips on a foil-lined pan. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray.
Bake: Bake the chicken strips for 15-17 minutes or until they are cooked through.
Serve: Serve the chicken strips with ranch or sour cream.