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Tortilla Chip Chicken Tenders Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 259 reviews
  • Author: Lila
  • Total Time: 41 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

Crispy and flavorful Tortilla Chip Chicken Tenders coated in a crunchy blend of crushed tortilla chips and pumpkin seeds, baked to perfection for a golden brown crust. This recipe uses simple ingredients and combines the creaminess of a mayonnaise-based marinade with the smoky tang of barbecue sauce, delivering a deliciously satisfying chicken dish perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken breast fillet, sliced into 1-inch strips

Coating

  • 2 ½ cups tortilla chips
  • ¾ cup pumpkin seeds

Marinade

  • 1 cup mayonnaise (dairy or non-dairy)
  • ¼ cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1 Tbsp barbecue sauce

Additional

  • Cooking spray (preferably avocado oil spray)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil or placing a baking rack on top to ensure even cooking and easy cleanup.
  2. Crush Tortilla Chips: Take a handful of tortilla chips and crush them into small pieces to reach a total of 2 ½ cups. This will help create a crispy coating.
  3. Prepare Coating Mixture: Add the crushed tortilla chips and pumpkin seeds to a food processor or blender. Blend on high for 10-20 seconds until you achieve a crumbly texture. If you prefer, you can skip blending for chunkier coating.
  4. Mix Marinade: In a separate bowl, combine the mayonnaise, milk, and barbecue sauce to create a flavorful dipping mixture for the chicken tenders.
  5. Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken breast strip into the mayonnaise mixture, shaking off any excess liquid to avoid soggy coating.
  6. Apply Coating: Roll the dipped chicken tenders in the tortilla chip and pumpkin seed crumb mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated on all sides.
  7. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated chicken tenders onto the prepared baking sheet or baking rack in a single layer. Repeat the coating process for all chicken strips.
  8. Spray for Crispiness: Lightly spray the tops of the coated chicken strips with cooking spray, such as avocado oil spray, to encourage a golden and crispy crust.
  9. Bake: Bake the chicken tenders in the preheated oven for 18 minutes. Then, flip them over and continue baking for another 5-8 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. The exterior should be crispy and golden brown.
  10. Serve: Once cooked, transfer the tender chicken strips to serving plates and enjoy while hot for a crunchy, flavorful meal.

Notes

  • You can skip blending the tortilla chips and pumpkin seeds for a chunkier, heartier coating.
  • Use dairy or non-dairy mayonnaise and milk according to your dietary preference.
  • Cooking spray helps achieve a crispy finish but can be omitted if preferred.
  • Make sure to check the internal temperature with a thermometer to ensure chicken is safely cooked.
  • Serve with a side of your favorite dipping sauce or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 26 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: tortilla chip chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, baked chicken strips, pumpkin seed coating, crunchy chicken recipe

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Find it online: https://plumandpan.com/tortilla-chip-chicken-tenders-recipe/