Get ready to transform your ordinary chicken tenders into a crispy, flavor-packed sensation that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds! Our Tortilla Encrusted Chicken Tenders are not just another boring dinner option - they're a culinary adventure that combines the beloved comfort of chicken tenders with the zesty crunch of tortilla chips. Perfect for family dinners, game nights, or when you want to impress your friends with a unique and delicious dish that takes just 30 minutes to prepare.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 2 large tortillas, crushed
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by gathering all listed items and setting up a clean work station.
- Place the tortillas in a food processor or use a rolling pin to crush them into fine, even breadcrumb-like pieces. Transfer crushed tortillas to a shallow dish.
- In a separate shallow dish, mix flour with salt and pepper, creating a seasoned flour coating.
- Crack eggs into another shallow dish and whisk them thoroughly to create an egg wash.
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps coating adhere better.
- Create a breading station: first dredge each chicken tender in seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip the floured chicken tender into the egg wash, ensuring complete coverage.
- Roll the egg-coated tender in the crushed tortilla pieces, pressing gently to help crumbs adhere completely.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (218°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Arrange breaded chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow coating to set and chicken to retain moisture.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce like salsa, ranch, or chipotle mayo.
Tips
- Ensure your tortillas are completely dry and crushed into fine, even crumbs for the best coating texture.
- Pat chicken tenders completely dry before breading to help the coating stick better and achieve maximum crispiness.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet - give each tender enough space to ensure even cooking and crispy edges.
- For extra flavor, consider adding spices like paprika, garlic powder, or chili powder to your flour mixture.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the tenders rest for a few minutes after baking to help the coating set and keep the chicken juicy.
- Experiment with different dipping sauces to find your perfect flavor combination!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 330kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 120mg
