Crispy, crunchy Doritos make the most irresistible coating for juicy chicken tenders in this quick and easy air fryer recipe. With just a few simple ingredients and hardly any prep time, you can have nacho cheese flavored fried chicken on the table in less than 20 minutes.
The Doritos provide a texturally pleasing crust that perfectly complements the juicy chicken interior. Their salty, cheesy flavor combined with the smoky paprika and garlic seasoning takes these chicken tenders over the top.
You’ll be amazed at how the air fryer gives them an incredibly crispy exterior without needing all the oil of deep frying. This recipe is sure to become a new family favorite that makes weeknight dinners or game day snacking an absolute breeze.
Keep reading to learn how simple it is to make these insanely delicious air fryer dorito chicken!
💖 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The Crispy, Crunchy Coating– Sinking your teeth into the crispy, crunchy Dorito coating on this chicken is an absolute delight.
It crackles as you bite in, giving a fun textural contrast to the tender juicy chicken underneath. This combination of textures will leave your tastebuds tingling and wanting more.
So Quick and Easy– From prep to plate, this entire recipe comes together rapidly, especially since there’s no deep frying involved.
Simply dip the chicken, coat it, and toss it in the air fryer. In just minutes, you’ll have a drool-worthy snack or meal the whole family will devour. Talk about easy peasy!
Healthier Than Fried Chicken- By using an air fryer instead of deep frying, this recipe cuts out a significant amount of fat and calories compared to traditional fried chicken.
But it still delivers the same crispy, juicy texture you know and love from fried chicken, just in a lighter overall dish.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
For this dorito crusted chicken air fryer recipe you will need:
- 1 bag Nacho Cheese Doritos
- 1 pound (450g) Chicken Breast
- 1 large Egg (whisked)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 3/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy dorito chicken tenders air fryer recipe:
Step 1
Cut the chicken into strips. Place them in a mixing bowl, and season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt. Mix well.
Step 2
Whisk the egg in a bowl.
Step 3
Place the chips in a big Ziploc bag. Use a rolling pin to crush them (until they are similar to the consistency of breadcrumbs).
Step 4
Dip the chicken pieces into the whisked egg. Then, place them the Ziplock bag with the Doritos. Shake the bag until all the chicken pieces are covered.
Step 5
Remove the chicken from the bag and place it in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 390F (200C) for 12-15 minutes until crispy. Flip them halfway through cooking.
Step 6
Remove from the air fryer. You can serve this air fryer doritos chicken with your favorite dipping sauce. That’s it! Enjoy this easy air fryer doritos chicken tenders recipe.
💡Tips
1. Perfecting the Doritos Crust
Creating an even and flavorful crust on your chicken is key to this recipe. When crushing the Doritos, aim for a consistency that’s not too fine nor too chunky.
A finer crumb will adhere to the chicken more uniformly, ensuring a consistent texture and flavor in every bite. However, leaving a few slightly larger pieces can add an enjoyable crunch.
2. Marinating for Flavor and Tenderness
Before breading your chicken, consider marinating it for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight, in the refrigerator. A simple marinade using buttermilk or Greek yogurt with a hint of lemon juice not only tenderizes the chicken but also helps the breading stick better.
This step can dramatically enhance the juiciness and flavor of the chicken. If using buttermilk, the natural acidity and enzymes will tenderize the chicken, while the thickness of the buttermilk creates a perfect adhesive for the Doritos crumbs.
Adding a bit of garlic powder, smoked paprika, or even a splash of hot sauce to the marinade can infuse the chicken with additional layers of flavor.
3. Flavor Burst
Ditch the plain Doritos! Elevate your coating by mixing different Doritos flavors. Nacho cheese for classic, Flamin’ Hot for a spicy kick, or Cool Ranch for a refreshing twist. You can even combine flavors for a unique taste explosion.
4. Spice it Up
Don’t stop at the Doritos! Add a kick of spice by sprinkling cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or even a touch of smoked paprika into the crushed chips before coating the chicken. You can also marinate the chicken in your favorite hot sauce for an extra layer of heat.
5. Press The Crumbs Into The Chicken
After dipping the chicken strips into the egg, press them firmly into the Dorito crumbs to form a thick layer. Packing the crumbs on ensures they don’t fall off during air frying. Let the excess crumbs fall off before carefully transferring the chicken to the air fryer basket.
Variations
1. Buffalo Dorito Chicken Tenders: Dial up the heat with a fiery twist! Swap the Nacho Cheese Doritos for Flamin’ Hot Limón or Spicy Sweet Chili for a spicy-tangy kick.
Drizzle the cooked tenders with homemade buffalo sauce (butter, hot sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire) for an extra punch. Pro tip: For a cooling contrast, dip in blue cheese dressing.
2. Ranch Fiesta Chicken Bites: Blend 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup chopped parsley, 1 tbsp chives, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder for a vibrant ranch dip.
Crush seasoned tortilla chips instead of Doritos for a milder, earthy flavor. Dip the pre-cooked tenders in the ranch dip before air frying for a creamy, crispy coating.
3. Taco Tuesday Chicken Wings: Turn wing night into a Mexican fiesta! Marinate the chicken wings in taco seasoning and lime juice for at least 30 minutes before coating in crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos.
Air fry as usual, then drizzle with melted taco cheese and sprinkle with chopped cilantro and red onion for authentic taco flair.
4. Hawaiian Huli Huli Chicken Strips: Transport your taste buds to paradise! Crush pineapple chips instead of Doritos for a sweet and tangy twist. Add 1/2 teaspoon ginger and 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves to the seasoning mix for a tropical aroma.
Serve with a sweet and sour dipping sauce made with pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar for a complete island experience.
5. Cheesy Parmesan Chicken Nuggets: Elevate the crunch with extra cheesy goodness! Mix grated Parmesan cheese and a pinch of Italian seasoning into the crushed Doritos for a savory, umami depth.
Drizzle the cooked nuggets with melted Parmesan cheese for an extra cheesy pull in every bite. Pair with marinara sauce for a satisfying Italian-inspired snack.
↩️ Ingredient Substitutions
Nacho Cheese Doritos: Try using a different brand of cheese-flavored corn chips. Or, you could use regular corn chips and add a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese on top of the chicken before baking.
Chicken Breast: You could use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast if you prefer.
Egg: You could use a non-dairy milk (such as soy milk) or a flax egg as a substitute for the egg. However, this may alter the texture of the chicken slightly.
Garlic Powder: You could use fresh minced garlic instead of garlic powder, or substitute onion powder for a slightly different flavor.
Smoked Paprika: You can also use regular paprika instead.
Recommended Dipping Sauces
Here are 5 delicious dipping sauces that would pair perfectly with the air fryer dorito chicken:
1. Ranch Dressing– A creamy, herby ranch dressing is a classic pairing with breaded chicken tenders or fingers. The cooling tang of the ranch perfectly balances the crispy, salty flavor of the Doritos breading. Ranch dip also adds moisture, which helps soften the crust for easier biting.
2. Honey Mustard- Sweet honey mustard sauce is another traditional match for fried chicken. The smooth, mildly spicy flavor accentuates the cheesy Nacho Dorito coating. The sweetness cuts through the saltiness perfectly. It’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleasing dipping option.
3. Guacamole- Fresh, chunky guacamole makes for a more unique, Southwestern-inspired dipping partner. The cool, rich avocado base provides lush creaminess to contrast the crunch of the air-fried chicken. Tangy lime, onion, tomato and cilantro brighten up and enhance the spice of the Doritos.
4. Queso Dip- Warm queso cheese dip is an indulgent match for Doritos anything. The smooth, gooey cheese sauce echoing the Nacho Dorito flavor takes this chicken over the top. The irresistible cheese-on-cheese combo is sure to delight.
5. Sour Cream & Onion Dip– Finally, a dip made with sour cream, onion soup mix, and chives doubles down on the nostalgic flavors of sour cream & onion chips and Doritos. The bright bite of onion and herb cut through the fried coating, while the cooling tang of sour cream mellows the salt and spice.
Storage
This crispy Dorito chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken pieces on a baking sheet and air fry at 400°F for 3-4 minutes until heated through.
The cooked chicken can also be frozen for longer term storage. Place chicken pieces in a single layer on a sheet pan and freeze until solid.
Then transfer the frozen pieces to a freezer bag or airtight container. The dorito crusted chicken will keep frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating as directed.
Side Dish Ideas
Here are 5 delicious side dish ideas that would pair perfectly with the Air Fryer Dorito Chicken:
1. Air Fryer Mini Potatoes– Crispy, garlic parmesan air fryer potatoes are the ultimate sidekick for breaded and fried chicken dishes. The crunch of the mini potatoes complements the crispy Dorito breading on the air fryer dorito chicken perfectly. Plus, the creamy garlic parmesan flavor balances out the spicy nacho cheesiness.
2. Air Fryer Onion Petals – Sweet, caramelized onion petals air fried to golden perfection make a tasty accompaniment. The slight char on the onions from the air fryer plays nicely against the Dorito coating on the chicken. The natural sweetness also helps offset the rich nacho cheese flavor.
3. Air Fryer Greek Potatoes – Loaded with feta, olives, oregano and olive oil, these Greek-style air fryer potatoes are an ideal match. The Mediterranean flavors pair wonderfully with the Tex-Mex inspired chicken. The potatoes add a fresh, herbaceous note to balance the rich, crumb coating of the air fryer dorito chicken.
4. Air Fryer Green Bean Fries – Crisp, crunchy green beans coated in panko breadcrumbs offer a lighter, veggie-centric pairing. The al dente green beans help cut through the decadence of the cheese and chip coated chicken. A spritz of lemon brightens up the plate beautifully.
5. Air Fryer Frozen Steak Fries – You can’t go wrong with a classic like steak fries hot from the air fryer. The hearty potatoes soaked up in ketchup balance the Doritos and cheese flavors flawlessly. The steak fries also add another layer of crispy texture alongside the crispy chicken.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What kind of Doritos work best for this recipe?
The original nacho cheese Doritos work best to give that classic cheesy, nacho flavor to the chicken. Other flavors could work too but won’t have that nostalgic nacho taste.
2. Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes, you can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe. The cooking time may need to be a few minutes longer since thighs are thicker. Check for doneness after 12 minutes.
3. How long does the chicken keep for if I have leftovers?
Refrigerate any leftover doritos chicken in an airtight container up to 4 days. You can reheat in the air fryer or oven until warmed through. The crust may lose a bit of crispness.
4. Can I use a different type of coating besides Doritos?
You can use a different type of coating, such as panko breadcrumbs or seasoned flour, to coat the chicken instead of Doritos.
The Healthier Chicken: Air Frying vs Deep Frying
Fried chicken is a beloved, crispy, juicy dish enjoyed around the world. However, the traditional way of frying chicken in copious amounts of oil is extremely unhealthy due to the high levels of saturated fat and calories. The good news is that new technology like air fryers allow you to enjoy fried chicken in a much healthier way.
Air fryers work by rapidly circulating hot air to produce a crispy, fried texture without submerging the food in oil. When you air fry chicken, you may use just a teaspoon or two of oil – dramatically less than the cups of oil used in deep frying. This slashes the calories and fat in the finished chicken to a fraction of its deep fried alternative.
So when that fried chicken craving hits, go for air fried over deep fried. Your waistline and heart will thank you! Air frying makes it possible to keep enjoying the crispy, juicy chicken you love in a way that simply makes you feel better.
This crunchy, flavorful Dorito chicken is sure to be a hit thanks to the air fryer, which makes the prep and cook time so quick and easy. Be sure to check other recipes on my website for more tasty and convenient meals you can make in your air fryer.
Feel free to leave a comment below with any questions or modifications you made to this Dorito chicken recipe. Thanks for reading!
Air Fryer Dorito Chicken
- 1 bag Nacho Cheese Doritos
- 1 pound Chicken Breast (450g)
- 1 large Egg (whisked)
- 1 1/4 teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 3/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- Cut the chicken into strips. Place them in a mixing bowl, and season with garlic powder, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt. Mix well.
- Whisk the egg in a bowl.
- Place the chips in a big Ziploc bag. Use a rolling pin to crush them (until they are similar to the consistency of breadcrumbs).
- Dip the chicken pieces into the whisked egg. Then, place them the Ziplock bag with the Doritos. Shake the bag until all the chicken pieces are covered.
- Remove the chicken from the bag and place it in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 390F (200C) for 12-15 minutes until crispy. To ensure even cooking - flip them halfway through cooking.
- Remove from the air fryer. You can serve this air fryer doritos chicken with a dipping sauce.
