Air-Fried Dorito Chicken: A Quick, Crunchy Delight

Air Fryer Dorito Chicken is a fun and easy way to turn plain chicken tenders into a unique and delicious meal. The recipe involves coating chicken strips in spiced flour, eggs, and a generous layer of crushed Doritos, before air-frying them to crispy, crunchy perfection. The chips add layers of flavour and texture, while keeping the chicken juicy. This dish is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults, and can be served as a snack, appetiser, or main course.

Crushing the Doritos

To make Dorito chicken in an air fryer, you'll need to start by crushing the Doritos. This can be done by placing them in a sealed Ziploc bag and using a rolling pin, meat mallet, or the bottom of a bowl to crush them until they resemble fine breadcrumbs or Panko crumbs. You can also use a food processor if you have one available. Just be sure to crush the chips finely so that they stick to the chicken and form a crispy coating.

Once you have your crushed Doritos, you can set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix together flour, spices, and/or seasoning. Common spices and seasonings used for Dorito chicken include garlic powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and salt. In the second bowl, whisk an egg or two (depending on how much chicken you're making). You can also add a bit of milk to the egg mixture if you like. The third bowl is for your crushed Doritos.

Now it's time to start breading the chicken! Cut your chicken breasts into strips or use pre-made chicken tenders. You can also slice the chicken into nugget-sized pieces if you prefer. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg wash, followed by the crushed Doritos. Be sure to coat the chicken thoroughly with the Doritos, gently pressing them into the chicken if needed. Place the breaded chicken on a baking sheet or directly into the air fryer basket, being careful not to crowd the pieces too closely together.

Once all of your chicken is breaded, it's time to air fry! Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil and place the chicken inside in a single layer. Set the temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 12-14 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. For crispier chicken, you can spray the tops of the chicken with oil before placing them in the air fryer. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

And that's it! Your Dorito chicken is now ready to be served. Enjoy the delicious combination of crispy, crunchy Doritos and juicy chicken. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!

Preparing the chicken

First, you'll want to cut the chicken into strips or tenders. You can use chicken breasts and slice them into strips, or opt for chicken tenders, which are the strips of meat located underneath the breast and tend to be slightly more tender.

Once you have your chicken prepared, it's time to season it. A simple combination of garlic powder, salt, and pepper is a great option, but you can also get creative and use other spices like cayenne pepper, onion powder, or smoked paprika. Don't be shy with the seasoning, as it will enhance the flavour of the chicken and complement the Doritos coating.

After seasoning, it's time to coat the chicken. This is a three-step process that involves dredging the chicken in a dry mixture, dipping it in a wet mixture, and then coating it with the crushed Doritos.

For the dry mixture, you can use plain flour, or a combination of flour and spices. This step will help the wet mixture and Doritos coating adhere to the chicken.

The wet mixture is typically an egg wash, which helps bind the coating to the chicken. You can use a single egg or add milk to make a larger quantity. Some recipes also suggest using mayonnaise as an alternative to the egg wash.

Finally, the moment you've been waiting for—coating the chicken with crushed Doritos! You can use any flavour of Doritos you like, from Nacho Cheese to Cool Ranch, Spicy Nacho, or even Chilli Heatwave. Crush the Doritos into a crumb-like texture, similar to Panko breadcrumbs. You can use a zip-lock bag and a rolling pin, a food processor, or simply crush them with your hands.

Coat the chicken thoroughly with the crushed Doritos, making sure to get an even coating. Handle the coated chicken gently to avoid dislodging the crumbs.

Now you're ready to cook your Dorito-crusted chicken in the air fryer! But first, give it a light coating of oil spray to help it crisp up and prevent burning.

Coating the chicken

Preparing the Dorito Crumbs:

First, you'll need to prepare the Dorito crumbs, which will serve as the crispy coating for your chicken. Place your desired flavour of Doritos (such as Nacho Cheese, Cool Ranch, or Chilli Heatwave) into a sealed Ziploc bag. Using a rolling pin, meat mallet, or even your hands, crush the Doritos until they resemble fine breadcrumbs or Panko crumbs. It is important to crush the chips finely so they stick to the chicken and provide an even coating.

Preparing the Chicken:

Next, prepare your chicken tenders or breasts. If using chicken breasts, cut them into strips. You can season the chicken with ingredients like garlic powder, salt, and pepper, or a simple blend of salt and pepper.

Creating the Breading Station:

Now, it's time to set up your breading station. You will need three separate bowls for this step. In the first bowl, mix together flour, spices, and/or seasonings of your choice. Common spice options include cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. The second bowl should contain beaten eggs, which act as a binding agent for the coating. You can also add a bit of milk to the eggs if desired. The third bowl will hold the crushed Dorito crumbs you prepared earlier.

The Breading Process:

Take each piece of chicken and coat it thoroughly with the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it is well-coated. Finally, dredge the chicken in the bowl of Dorito crumbs, making sure every inch of the chicken is covered. Gently press the crumbs into the chicken if needed. Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet or directly into the air fryer basket, being careful not to dislodge the crumbs.

Tips for Success:

• Keep the bowl of crushed Dorito crumbs dry. The moisture from the egg-coated chicken can cause the crumbs to become mushy, making it difficult for them to stick to the chicken.
• Use a spoon to pour the crumbs over the chicken, which helps to avoid getting egg mixture into the dry crumbs.
• Handle the coated chicken gently to prevent the crumbs from falling off.
• If your chips are getting soggy before you're able to coat the chicken, pour the crumbs directly onto the chicken and pat them on to stick.
• Be generous with your coating to ensure every bite is packed with flavour.

Now that your chicken is coated and ready, it's time to move on to the air frying process!

Cooking the chicken

Now that you have your chicken tenders coated in the egg and crumb mixture, it's time to cook them!

First, spray your air fryer basket or racks with oil spray. Then, gently place your chicken pieces in the basket or on the racks, being careful not to overlap them. Spray the tops of the chicken pieces with oil spray.

Set your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) and air fry for 12-15 minutes. Flip the chicken pieces halfway through the cooking time and spray the other side with oil spray. Be careful not to turn the chicken too roughly, or the Doritos coating may fall off.

Air fry for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and golden brown, and the chicken is cooked through. The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Your Dorito chicken is now ready to be served! Enjoy the crispy, juicy, and flavourful chicken with your favourite dipping sauce or side dish.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve air fryer Dorito chicken. It can be served as a snack, appetiser, or as a main dish.

For a more substantial meal, serve it with a side of fries, onion rings, zucchini fries, roasted or steamed vegetables, pasta, or a salad. It can also be served with Air Fryer French Fries, Air Fryer Smashed Potatoes, or Air Fryer Mac and Cheese.

For a lighter option, serve the chicken with a salad. This could be a fresh green salad or a chicken salad.

Air fryer Dorito chicken can also be served with dips, such as ranch, blue cheese, salsa verde, sour cream and chives, honey mustard, spicy nacho cheese, BBQ sauce, or mild salsa.

Frequently asked questions