Dorito Chicken Tenders
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Get ready to spice up your dinner with Dorito chicken tenders! This fun twist on classic chicken tenders uses crushed Doritos for an extra crispy, cheesy coating. You’ll love how easy these are to make – just coat the chicken, bake for 20 minutes, and dig in!
Kids and adults alike will go crazy for these crunchy, flavorful tenders. Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauces for a meal that’s sure to be a hit. With minimal prep and cook time, you can have these tasty tenders on the table in no time.
Exact Ingredients (+ Possible Substitutes)
Here’s what you’ll need to make these tasty Dorito chicken tenders:
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- 1 large bag nacho cheese Doritos, crushed
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray
Don’t have all the ingredients? No worries! Try these swaps:
- Use chicken breasts cut into strips instead of tenderloins
- Swap nacho cheese Doritos for cool ranch or spicy nacho flavor
- Replace milk with buttermilk for extra tang
- Substitute gluten-free flour for all-purpose flour
- Use garlic salt instead of garlic powder and salt
You can also add extra spices like paprika or cayenne for more kick. Feel free to play around with the recipe to make it your own!
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Give the rack a quick spray with cooking oil.
Crush the Doritos into fine crumbs and put them in a shallow dish. In another dish, mix eggs and milk. In a third, combine flour and seasonings.
Pat the chicken tenders dry. Dip each one in flour, then egg, then Doritos. Make sure they’re well-coated. Place them on the wire rack.
Lightly spray the coated tenders with cooking oil. This helps them get extra crispy.
Bake for 15-20 minutes. The chicken should reach 165°F inside and have a crispy, browned coating.
Serve your Dorito chicken tenders right away. They’re great with ranch, honey mustard, or buffalo sauce. Enjoy your crunchy, cheesy meal!
Tips, Tricks & Storing
For extra crispy tenders, crush the Doritos into fine crumbs. You can use a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin.
Pat the chicken dry before coating. This helps the breading stick better and results in crunchier tenders.
Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. Leave space between each tender for even cooking and crispiness.
Try different Doritos flavors for variety. Cool Ranch, Spicy Nacho, or Flamin’ Hot can add fun twists to your meal.
To store leftovers, let the tenders cool completely. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5-10 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid using the microwave, as it can make them soggy.
Freeze uncooked tenders for later. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.