Been making chicken tenders for years, but let me tell you about this little trick I stumbled upon – crushing up Cool Ranch Doritos for the coating. Works like a charm every single time.
Now, these aren't your regular old chicken tenders. The Doritos give them this wonderful ranch flavor that gets even better when baked, and they stay nice and juicy inside. I've served these at plenty of family gatherings, and even the pickiest eaters come back for seconds.
The secret's in crushing those chips just right – not too fine, mind you, or you'll lose that satisfying crunch. Give them a good bash with your rolling pin, but leave some bigger pieces in there. Makes all the difference in the world.
What I really like about this recipe is that it's no fuss, no muss. Just dip your chicken in egg, roll it in those crushed chips, and pop it in the oven. Couldn't be simpler. And cleanup's a breeze since there's no deep frying involved.
Been a lifesaver on busy weeknights when the grandkids come over. They think it's just about the cleverest thing – using their favorite chips to make dinner. Gets them excited about helping in the kitchen too, which is always a good thing in my book.
Recipe
Baked Cool Ranch Doritos chicken tenders combine the irresistible flavor of Cool Ranch Doritos with juicy, tender chicken strips. The crunchy coating creates a satisfying texture while sealing in moisture, resulting in a dish that appeals to both kids and adults alike. These tenders can be served as an appetizer in a similar fashion to Chicken Bacon Ranch Wonton Cups, providing a delightful fusion of flavors and textures.
This creative twist on traditional chicken tenders transforms an everyday protein into something extraordinary by using crushed Doritos as the breading. The seasoning from the chips eliminates the need for additional spices, making this recipe both convenient and flavorful while maintaining a crispy exterior through oven-baking rather than frying.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
- 2 large bags Cool Ranch Doritos
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray
Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Crush the Doritos into fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin. Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour seasoned with salt and pepper, one with beaten eggs, and one with crushed Doritos. Dip each chicken tender in flour, then egg, and finally coat with Doritos crumbs. Place on the prepared baking sheet and spray lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
For best results, crush the Doritos just before using to maintain maximum crunch, and avoid pressing the crumbs too firmly onto the chicken as this can make the coating dense. If the chicken tenders are very thick, consider butterflying them for more even cooking. Store any leftover tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator, but be aware that the coating will soften over time and is best enjoyed fresh from the oven.
Turning snack foods into crispy coatings for chicken is a creative twist that emerged from home kitchens during the early 2000s. This recipe transforms Cool Ranch Doritos into a crunchy, flavorful breading that adds both texture and a zesty ranch-seasoned punch to ordinary chicken tenders.
The technique builds on the classic preparation of breaded chicken but swaps traditional breadcrumbs for crushed chips – a modification that not only creates an extra-crispy exterior but also infuses the meat with the distinctive Cool Ranch flavor that has made these chips a pantry favorite since their debut in 1986.
The result is a dish that bridges comfort food and novelty, perfect for both family dinners and casual entertaining.
Conclusion
These Doritos-crusted chicken tenders are just what you need when regular breadcrumbs won't cut it. Let me tell you, crushing up those Cool Ranch chips for coating is oddly satisfying – and the results are worth every crumb. The chicken stays nice and moist inside while that Doritos coating crisps up beautifully in the oven.
Now, don't toss those chip crumbs away when you get to the bottom of the bag – save them for this instead. The ranch seasoning from the chips seeps into the meat while it bakes, and you get this savory crust that's worlds better than plain old breadcrumbs.
I learned the hard way that you've got to crush those chips pretty fine – any big pieces tend to fall off during cooking. A rolling pin and a zip-top bag do the trick nicely. And make sure you press that coating on good and firm; you want it to stick to the chicken, not the baking sheet.
These aren't your typical chicken tenders, but they'll certainly get folks talking at the dinner table. Even the youngsters who normally turn their noses up at anything new tend to come around when they spot that familiar Doritos bag in the kitchen.