Description
Crispy, flavorful Cheetos Chicken Strips coated in crushed Flamin’ Hot or original Cheetos for a spicy, crunchy twist on classic chicken tenders. These strips can be baked or fried to golden perfection, making for a fun and delicious main course perfect for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenders
Coating
- 4 cups Flamin’ Hot or regular Cheetos, crushed into fine crumbs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
For Cooking
- Cooking spray or oil for baking/frying
Instructions
- Prepare Cheetos coating: Place the Cheetos into a food processor and pulse until they are finely crushed into crumbs. Transfer the crushed Cheetos into a shallow bowl for easy coating.
- Mix seasoned flour: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices.
- Prepare egg wash: In a third bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined. This will help the Cheetos crumbs adhere to the chicken.
- Coat chicken strips: Take each chicken tender and dredge it first in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated, and immediately press it into the crushed Cheetos crumbs, coating it thoroughly on all sides.
- Choose cooking method: For baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Place the coated chicken strips on a greased baking sheet. Lightly spray the strips with cooking spray to promote crispness.
- Bake the chicken: Bake the strips for 18–20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden and crispy.
- Alternatively, fry the chicken: Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (177°C). Carefully place the coated chicken strips in the hot oil and cook for 4–5 minutes per side until fully cooked and crisp. Use a thermometer to confirm internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Drain and serve: Once cooked, drain the chicken strips on paper towels to remove excess oil if fried. Serve immediately while hot with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or honey mustard.
Notes
- You can use Flamin’ Hot or original Cheetos depending on your spice preference.
- For extra crunch, double-coat the chicken by repeating the egg and Cheetos coating steps.
- Serve these chicken strips with ranch, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauces for added flavor.
