This recipe takes a favorite snack chip and turns it into a crunchy, flavorful dinner that everyone will enjoy. These tenders are coated in crushed Chili Heatwave Doritos and a blend of spices for a kick that is satisfyingly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Whether you bake them or use the air fryer, these golden strips are perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a party appetizer served with your favorite creamy dipping sauce.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: These tenders pack a punch with savory onion and garlic notes, smokiness from the paprika, and a spicy kick from the Chili Heatwave chips and cayenne.
- Texture: The coating mimics panko breadcrumbs for a superior crunch, while the chicken inside stays tender and moist.
- Time: This recipe requires about 15 minutes of prep time and cooks in under 20 minutes.
- Difficulty: Easy. The process involves a standard dredging station that any home cook can master.
What You’ll Need
To make this dish, you will need a standard breading setup using three shallow dishes. The star of the show is the chicken either tenders or sliced breasts and a bag of Chili Heatwave Doritos. You will also need plain flour mixed with a variety of spices to ensure the meat is seasoned through, eggs to help the coating stick, and oil spray to get that perfect golden crisp.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken – You can use 1.3lb of pre-cut chicken tenders or chicken breast. If using breast, slice them into even strips yourself.
- Doritos – This recipe specifically calls for 7oz of Chili Heatwave Doritos. They provide the signature color, crunch, and bold spice flavor.
- Spices – A blend of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper gives the flour coating depth.
- Salt – Note that the recipe uses salt in two places: 1/4 tsp is used to season the raw chicken directly, while the remaining 1 tsp goes into the flour mix.
- Eggs – Beaten eggs act as the glue between the seasoned flour and the crushed chips.
- Oil Spray –This is essential for helping the coating crisp up in the oven or air fryer without deep frying.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Adjust the Heat: If you prefer a milder tender, you can reduce the amount of cayenne pepper in the flour mixture, relying just on the spice from the chips.
- Chip Flavors: While Chili Heatwave provides a specific spicy profile, you could technically use this same method with Cool Ranch or Tangy Cheese Doritos if you want to experiment with flavor, provided the weight remains the same.
- Gluten-Free Option: To make this gluten-free, substitute the plain flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and ensure your chips are certified gluten-free.
How to Make Dorito Chicken Tenders
1. Prepare the Chips and Oven
If you are baking these, preheat your oven to 400F/200C. Place the Doritos in a large zip-lock bag. Seal it tight and crush the chips with a rolling pin. You want them to resemble large Panko breadcrumbs. Be sure to keep a bit of that flaky texture rather than turning it into fine dust (see video for guidance if available).
2. Season the Chicken
Take your chicken tenders or strips and season them directly with the 1/4 tsp of salt. This ensures the meat itself is savory, not just the coating.
3. Set Up the Dredging Station
Line up 3 large shallow dishes on your counter:
- Dish 1: Mix the 1/3 cup plain flour with the 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp each of onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Dish 2: Add the 2 beaten eggs.
- Dish 3: Add the crushed Doritos.
4. Coat the Chicken
One by one, coat a chicken tender in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg wash, ensuring it is fully covered. Finally, place it in the Doritos. Thoroughly coat the tender, pressing gently to make the chips adhere.
5. Cook the Tenders
Place the coated tenders on a wire rack above a tray (if baking) or place them straight into the air fryer basket (if air frying). Handle them gently so the Doritos don’t fall off. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Air Fryer Method: Space out the tenders in the basket. Spray them with oil, then cook for 10-12 minutes at 400F/200C. Flip the tenders and spray them again halfway through cooking. Work in two batches if you need to avoid overcrowding.
- Oven Method: Spray the tenders with oil, then bake for 15-18 minutes at 400F/200C.
6. Check for Doneness
Timings may differ slightly depending on the size of your tenders. They should be golden and crisp on the outside and white/piping hot right through the center. Some tiny specs of char will likely form, but if they look like they are burning, just reduce the heat slightly. Serve up and enjoy!
Pro Tip: When crushing the chips, stop when you see coarse flakes. If you crush them into a fine powder, the texture will be more like a standard breadcrumb and you will lose that signature Dorito crunch and visual appeal.
Recipe Tips
- Use a Wire Rack: If baking, placing the chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet allows hot air to circulate underneath, preventing the bottom from getting soggy.
- Don’t Overcrowd: In the air fryer, air circulation is key. If you stack the tenders, they will steam instead of crisp. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Press Gently: When coating with the chips, use your hand to gently press the crushed chips onto the egg-coated chicken to ensure a thick, even layer.
- Keep an Eye on Color: Because the chips are already cooked and colored, they can darken quickly. Watch them during the last few minutes of cooking.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of tenders? Yes. You can buy whole chicken breasts and slice them into strips yourself. Just try to cut them into similar sizes so they cook evenly.
How do I make sure the coating sticks? The three-step dredge is the secret. The flour gives the egg something to hold onto, and the egg acts as the glue for the chips. Make sure you don’t skip the flour step, or the breading may slide off.
Is this recipe very spicy? It has a kick. The Chili Heatwave chips combined with 1 tsp of cayenne pepper and smoked paprika create a noticeable heat. If you are sensitive to spice, you can omit the cayenne in the flour mix.
How do I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer or oven for a few minutes to crisp the coating back up. Microwaving is not recommended as they will become soft.
Serving Suggestions
These tenders are bold in flavor, so they pair well with cooling or simple sides.
- Dipping Sauces: Serve with a cool ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or a sour cream and chive dip to balance the spice.
- Salads: Slice them up and place them on top of a crisp green salad with cucumber and tomatoes.
- Sides: Serve alongside corn on the cob, coleslaw, or seasoned potato wedges for a full meal.
Make This Recipe in Advance
You can prepare the components ahead of time to make dinner faster.
- Prep the Mixes: You can crush the Doritos and mix the flour and spices together and store them in separate airtight containers or bags a day in advance.
- Freezing: It is best to cook these fresh. Freezing raw breaded chicken can sometimes make the chips soggy upon thawing. However, you can freeze cooked tenders and reheat them in the oven or air fryer from frozen until piping hot.
Dorito Chicken Tenders (Air Fryer or Baked)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
These Dorito Chicken Tenders transform a favorite spicy snack into a crunchy, flavorful dinner that is sure to please the whole family. Coated in crushed Chili Heatwave Doritos and a savory spice blend, the chicken remains juicy on the inside while achieving a superior crunch on the outside. Whether baked in the oven or crisped in the air fryer, this easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal or a party appetizer served with a cooling creamy dip.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1.3 lbs Chicken tenders or chicken breast (sliced into strips)
- 1/4 tsp Salt (for seasoning raw chicken)
- Oil spray (as needed)
For the Coating
- 7 oz Chili Heatwave Doritos
- 1/3 cup Plain flour
- 2 Eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp Onion powder
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chips and Oven
Pre-heat your oven to 400°F (200°C) if baking. Place the Doritos in a large zip-lock bag, seal it tightly, and crush with a rolling pin. Aim for a texture resembling large Panko breadcrumbs with coarse flakes rather than a fine dust to ensure the signature crunch.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
Place your chicken tenders or sliced breast strips on a board or plate. Season them directly with the 1/4 tsp of salt to ensure the meat itself is savory and flavorful, not just the coating.
Step 3: Set Up the Dredging Station
Prepare three large shallow dishes on your counter. In the first dish, whisk together the flour, smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. In the second dish, add the beaten eggs. In the third dish, pour in the crushed Doritos.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken
Working one piece at a time, dredge a chicken tender in the seasoned flour mixture and shake off any excess. Dip it into the egg wash until fully covered, then press it into the crushed Doritos. Gently press the chips onto the chicken to ensure a thick, even layer adheres to the meat.
Step 5: Cook the Tenders
If baking, place the tenders on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and spray with oil; bake for 15-18 minutes at 400°F (200°C). If air frying, arrange them in a single layer in the basket, spray with oil, and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 6: Check for Doneness
Ensure the tenders are golden, crisp, and piping hot through the center. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Serve immediately with your favorite cooling dipping sauce.
Notes
Texture Tip: When crushing the chips, stop as soon as you see coarse flakes. If you process them into a fine powder, the texture will resemble standard breadcrumbs, and you will lose the specific visual appeal and crunch of the Doritos.
Soggy Bottom Prevention: If using the oven method, using a wire rack over your baking sheet is crucial. This allows hot air to circulate underneath the chicken, preventing the bottom of the tenders from becoming soggy.
Storage and Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven at 350°F until crisp; avoid microwaving as the coating will become soft.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking or Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving (approx 3 tenders)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 1150mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: Dorito chicken tenders, crispy chicken strips, easy dinner recipe, air fryer chicken, spicy chicken tenders, kid friendly dinner, homemade chicken nuggets
