If you're a fan of crispy, savory, and oh-so-delicious chicken, then this Air Fryer Doritos Chicken recipe might just become your next obsession.
Combining the irresistible crunch and zippy taste of Doritos with succulent chicken tenders, this recipe offers a delightful twist to traditional fried chicken.
Serve these delicious chicken fingers with some ranch or BBQ sauce and you are set for family dinners, a quick lunch, or the perfect game day munch.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Imagine biting into a juicy piece of chicken, encased in a crispy, golden coating that's flavored with the tangy and bold notes of everyone's favorite: Doritos.
This recipe offers the perfect harmony of textures and flavors – the crunchiness of the chips, the tenderness of the chicken, and the explosion of zesty tastes. Not only is it a fun and unique way to enjoy chicken, but it's also easy and fast to make for gatherings, family dinners, or even a solo treat.
Ingredients Needed
👩🏻🍳How to Make Delicious Doritos Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
The prep is very simple. You'll need to crush the Doritos. I start with a little over half a (9.25 ounce) bag, since I have never needed it all.
💭In theory, you can use any Doritos flavor, but I love Nacho cheese so much I haven't tried any others!
You can use a food processor for this, or simply crush the chips in a zip top bag using a rolling pin. I've used both methods with success, but the plastic bag method results in fewer dishes to be washed. 😁
How to remove the tendon from your chicken tenderloins
Another prep step is optional, but I do like to take it whenever I have a couple extra minutes. I prefer to remove the white tendon which runs through each chicken tenderloin.
To do this, use a piece of paper towel to grip one end of the tendon, then use a fork to slide along the tendon, the entire length of the chicken.
It only takes a couple minutes, and you will have perfectly tender chicken fingers, without that sometimes icky tendon. You might end up with some smaller pieces of chicken from this, but they still coat and cook the same.
Coating the Chicken with Doritos
Sprinkle the garlic powder over the surface of the chicken pieces. Coat both sides (top and bottom) of each piece.
Beat the egg slightly in a bowl and place the crushed chips in a separate bowl.
Dip each chicken tender in the egg first, then place in the crushed chips. Press down slightly to help the chips stick to the chicken, then turn it over and coat the other side.
Remove to a plate and repeat with the rest of the chicken.
Place the Doritos coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket. Make a single layer, not touching if possible.
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Air fry at 380F for 14-15 minutes. If your air fryer tends to send heat from one direction, you'll want to turn these halfway through the cooking cycle. With my air fryer, I do not flip and they cook and crisp just fine.
Note: I use a Ninja Digital Air Fry Pro Countertop. It has a large flat basket that allows me to spread these out. If your air fryer has a smaller basket, you might need to cook the tenders in batches.
Once the cooking cycle is done, your chicken tenders are ready to serve! Browned and crispy coating filled with the robust flavors of nacho cheese Doritos - these are a guaranteed hit!
Note: remove the chicken pieces straight to a plate. Moving the basket around is likely to result in many chip pieces on the floor!
🍽Serving Suggestions
These Dorito chicken fingers are quite delightful on their own, but who can resist dipping? Our favorites are ranch and barbecue sauce, but I think a chipotle mayo would be delicious as well. Try your favorite!
If you have a little one in the house, you can make some air fryer dino nuggets alongside these chicken tenders and have a meal that makes everyone happy!
Storage
Leftovers are rare in my house LOL. But if you do have some, store them in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Reheat them in the air fryer for a couple minutes to restore the crunch to the coating.
❓Recipe FAQs
I love chicken tenders for their small size and fast cooking, but bone-in chicken thighs are a close second. As I do in my air fryer chicken thighs, air fry at 400F for 18 to 20 minutes, and use a meat thermometer to verify the chicken is done (at least 165F).
Feel free to get creative and use other types of chips or crackers for coating. Just make sure they are finely crushed.
🤤More Delicious Ideas
If you love Doritos like I do, you'll want to try them in a taco salad, or in Dorito Casserole with ground beef.
Love your air fryer? Try some stuffed chicken breasts or air fryer chicken nachos. You can even use the air fryer to make some apple cider donut holes. That's my kind of appliance!
📖 Recipe
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Air Fryer Doritos Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders tenderloins
- 1 egg
- 9.25 ounce bag Doritos Nacho Cheese
- 2-3 teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
- Crush enough of the Doritos to make at least a cup of crushed chips. Place in a shallow bowl.9.25 ounce bag Doritos
- Beat the egg in a separate shallow bowl.1 egg
- Remove the tendon from each tenderloin if desired.1 pound chicken tenders
- Sprinkle the chicken tenders with the garlic powder on each side.2-3 teaspoons garlic powder
- Dunk each chicken piece in the egg, then into the crushed chips. Press down on the chicken to help the chips to stick, then flip and coat the other side. Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.
- Place the chicken in a single layer, not touching, in the air fryer basket.
- Air fryer at 380F for 14 to 15 minutes. Turn the chicken midway, as needed, to promote even browning.
- Serve the tenders with ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or other dipping sauce as desired.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Brooke
My family loved this! Adding it to our dinner rotation.
Sula
Fantastic!
Lou
Well, my teens will LOVE this recipe! It's also the perfect way to use up the crumbs from a couple bags of doritos!
Sula
Yes, let no Dorito crumbs go to waste!
Celina
I made these for my little one's sleepover party they had at home and the kids loved them. They were so good I even snagged some for my husband and I.
Sula
I really think kids of all ages will love these tenders!
Marie
The doritos coating got so crispy on the chicken from the air fryer. What a fun twist on chicken tenders!
Sula
I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Louise
The kids just loved these!!
All 5 of them said they were so flavorful and even took a second scoop of vegetables so they could have more chicken strips!!!
THAT IS A WINNING RECIPE IN MY EYES!
With 3 teenagers and 2 pre-teens they eat a lot!! So I showed the eldest how to make these so he can make them as a snack when he gets home from school.
All the kids want to make them as their snacks!! I LOVE the air fryer for that!! It is so much safer than them deep frying!
THANK YOU
Sula
Oh what a great after-school snack! I love that you taught your teen how to use the air fryer, these are important life skills!
Jenny J
This turned out amazing! All my teens love Doritos so I knew it was going to be a hit, everyone was disappointed we had no leftovers. I know it will be made again soon!
Sula
LOL you've gotta love when they want more leftovers!
Chichi
You bought me over at Doritos. These chicken tenders tasted so good with the crunch and Flavor. Never thought to use Doritos but happy I tried it out. Delish.
Sula
I'm so glad you tried it, thanks for letting me know!
Rachna
This was an absolute favorite with my teen. Use of Doritos added so much crunch and it was cheesy as well. Loved these chicken tenders.
Sula
Kids, teens, and grown ups alike seem to go for these!
Devy
When I made this recipe, my boys couldn't believe what I did. But when they tried the chicken, they both requested me to make it again soon. And I don't mind of course. Because it's so easy to make anyway.
Sula
When you can find something easy that the kids will actually eat, it's a double win in my book!
Jessica
Four ingredients is my kind of recipe! This was such a hit after summer soccer camp this week. The kids went nuts for this dinner.
Sula
Oh yes this is perfect for those busy days of school and sports. Enjoy!
Sage Scott
You had me at Doritos. And now that I've tried these delicious chicken tenders, I'm pretty sure there's no better breading option on Earth. So much yum!
Sula
Isn't it surprising? Doritos are definitely my new favorite breading LOL.
Lisa
The kids loved the flavor that the Dorito coating added to the chicken tenders. It was so crispy and crunchy.
Sula
Kids of all ages go for these tenders!
Ksenia
I just had to express how amazing your air fryer Doritos chicken tenders recipe is! The creative use of Doritos as a coating adds a fantastic twist to classic chicken tenders. Following your instructions, the tenders turned out perfectly crispy and flavorful. Your innovative approach to cooking has definitely elevated my chicken game – thank you for sharing this delightful recipe that's now a family favorite!
Sula
I'm so glad I could help you find a new favorite!
Emilie
OMG. Chicken tenders are my favorite, especially when cooked in the air fryer, but the doritos takes this to another level! Thank you so much for the easy to follow instructions, including for removing the tendon with a fork. Great tip!
Sula
You're very welcome, and thank you for the kind review!
Rose
This was a hit! my kids couldn't believe me when I said I'm adding Dorito's to their chicken! They tasted so good in the air fryer too!
Sula
LOL I get the same reaction when I mention Doritos!
Sharon
My hubby loves Doritos so I had to try this recipe. I am glad I did! The chicken turned out awesome and we enjoyed every bite.
Sula
I love the flavor and crunch the Doritos add!