Name: Doritos Chicken Tenders
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders; 2 cups crushed Doritos (Nacho Cheese or flavor of choice); 2 large eggs; 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp paprika; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; Optional: 1 tbsp hot sauce (mixed with eggs); Optional: ranch or spicy mayo for dipping

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you love crispy chicken and cheesy chips, this recipe combines both in the best way possible. Doritos chicken tenders are incredibly easy to make with just a few ingredients and deliver serious crunch with every bite. They’re kid-approved, adult-loved, and pair well with all your favorite dipping sauces.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
Doritos (nacho cheese or flavor of choice), crushed
eggs
all-purpose flour
garlic powder
paprika
salt
black pepper
optional: hot sauce for added heat
optional: ranch or spicy mayo for dipping

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
Cut the chicken into strips if not using pre-cut tenders.
In a bowl, whisk the eggs (and hot sauce if using). In another bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place crushed Doritos in a third bowl.
Dredge each chicken strip in the seasoned flour, dip in the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with crushed Doritos.
Place the coated chicken on a lined baking sheet or in the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, or air fry for 10–12 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.

Servings and timing

This recipe serves 4 people.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20–25 minutes (oven) or 10–12 minutes (air fryer)
Total time: 30–40 minutes

Variations

Spicy Nacho: Use Flamin’ Hot Doritos or add cayenne to the flour mix.
Cool Ranch: Swap nacho cheese for Cool Ranch Doritos for a tangy twist.
Buffalo Style: Drizzle with buffalo sauce before serving.
Cheesy Upgrade: Mix grated Parmesan into the crushed chips for extra cheesiness.
Mini Bites: Cut chicken into nuggets instead of tenders for bite-sized party snacks.

Storage/Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10–12 minutes or air fry for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it softens the coating.

FAQs

Can I use any flavor of Doritos?

Yes, any flavor works—Nacho Cheese and Cool Ranch are most popular, but feel free to experiment.

Can I use chicken thighs?

Yes, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used for a juicier result.

How do I crush the Doritos?

Use a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin until fine crumbs form.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Use gluten-free flour and ensure your Doritos flavor is certified gluten-free.

Do I need to marinate the chicken?

Not necessary, but you can marinate in buttermilk or hot sauce for extra tenderness and flavor.

Are these good for meal prep?

Yes, you can prep them ahead and bake or air fry right before serving for best texture.

What dipping sauces go best with Doritos chicken tenders?

Ranch, honey mustard, spicy mayo, BBQ, and chipotle sauce are all great options.

Can I freeze Doritos chicken tenders?

Yes, freeze them after baking. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until hot and crispy.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

Yes, the recipe is designed to be oven-baked or air-fried for a healthier alternative to deep frying.

How do I keep the coating from falling off?

Ensure you pat the chicken dry and follow the flour → egg → Doritos coating sequence carefully. Press the crumbs firmly onto each piece.

Conclusion

Doritos chicken tenders are the ultimate crispy, cheesy, and flavor-packed twist on a classic. Perfect for dipping, sharing, or devouring all on your own, these tenders are fun to make and even more fun to eat. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or looking for a dinner upgrade, this recipe brings the crunch and flavor in every bite.