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Every time I put out these Doritos chicken strips, they're the first thing gone. Super crunchy outside, tender and juicy inside. You get all the tang and cheesy kick from Cool Ranch Doritos. Best part? You only need a handful of stuff, and you can whip them up in under thirty minutes for a totally fun meal.
Honestly, I tried making these for a random movie night. Now, they're always requested whenever it's my turn for snack dinners or potlucks.
Irresistible Ingredients
- Milk: Keeps the chicken nice and moist for the next dips. Whole or 2% sticks better, but anything you have works.
- Large eggs: Beat them up for a smooth coating. Good quality eggs give more flavor and that bright color.
- Cool Ranch Doritos: The hero for flavor and texture. Grab a fresh bag and crush them up—you want some chunks, not all dust.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Look for juicy, thick ones. Slice them evenly so they cook together.
- All-purpose flour: This step helps the chips cling and adds crunch. If you've got it, use unbleached.
Simple Step-by-Step Directions
- Bake It Up:
- Pop the tray in the oven for about 15-20 minutes. Flip halfway, so both sides get golden. Double-check there's no pink in the middle.
- Time to Bread:
- Dunk chicken in the milk, roll in flour, dip into the eggs, then press into your Doritos crumbs. Set pieces on the pan, giving them some space.
- Setting Up Your Breading Station:
- Line up four bowls—first for milk, second for flour, third for beaten eggs, last for the crushed Doritos. Put your baking sheet and a damp towel close to your station.
- Bust Up Those Doritos:
- Grip the chip bag shut and squeeze until chips break into flaky pieces, kind of like corn flakes—not too fine.
- Slice Chicken:
- Chop each breast into strips, about 3–4 inches long and a couple of inches thick. Try for similar sizes, and toss in a bowl for now.
- Oven and Sheet Ready:
- Crank your oven up to 400°F. Line a couple of pans with foil or a little oil. Got a wire rack? Toss it on the tray—it helps with crispiness.
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When I made these for the first time, my youngest ran around showing off the big crunch and dubbed them party chicken. Now they're a must for movie marathons, always paired with popcorn.
How to Store
Let them cool before sealing in a container for your fridge. They'll keep up to four days. To keep the outside crunchy, pop them back in the oven or air fryer—not the microwave! If you're freezing, lay cooled tenders in a zip bag or freezer-safe dish. They'll freeze great for up to three months. No need to thaw—just reheat whenever you want.
Switch-Ups & Swaps
Try any Doritos flavor you love—Nacho Cheese, Spicy Sweet Chili, any of them. Gluten-free? Use a gluten-free flour blend and double-check the chips. You can swap chicken tenderloins for breasts, and even skim milk is fine if that's all you've got.
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How to Serve
Stack them up and let everyone dip in ranch, BBQ, or honey mustard. For some color, add sliced green onions or a bit of fresh cilantro. They're awesome tucked into wraps or tacos with salsa and lettuce too!
Snacky Origins
These chicken strips are a fun riff on Southern fried chicken, using a favorite chip for breading. Folks across North America have been coating chicken with all kinds of snacks—from potato chips to crunchy cereal. Swapping in Doritos brings some throwback flavor and party vibes for any get-together.
FAQs About the Recipe
- → What’s the trick for getting Doritos to stick on the chicken?
Start with milk on your chicken, follow with flour, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally press them in those crushed Doritos. This order gets the chips to grab on tight and bake up extra crispy.
- → Could I try different Doritos flavors with this?
For sure! Cool Ranch gives a nice zing, but Nacho Cheese or any kind you love will work for the crunchy coating. Pick what tastes best to you.
- → Can I prep these ahead of time?
You bet. Bread your chicken in advance and pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. If they’re already cooked, just keep them cool and warm them up when you want.
- → Which dips go well with these tenders?
BBQ, ranch, honey mustard, even spicy aioli—pretty much any of your favorites pair up with these, depending on the Doritos you used.
- → Is there a way to make these gluten-free?
Yep! Use gluten-free flour and be sure the chips you pick don’t have any wheat in the list. Then you’re good to go.
- → How should I store and reheat leftovers?
Keep any extra tenders in a sealed box in the fridge for up to four days. Warm them up in your oven or air fryer so they stay crispy.