Crispy Onion Chip Tenders (Print Version)

Juicy chicken strips coated in a crunchy onion and cheese chip crust, baked or air-fried to crispiness.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb chicken tenders (approximately 8 pieces)

→ Onion & Cheese Chip Coating

02 - 2 cups onion-flavored chips (e.g., Funyuns or onion rings snacks)
03 - 1 cup cheese-flavored chips (e.g., cheddar cheese crisps or cheese puffs)

→ Dredging

04 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 2 tablespoons milk
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F or set air fryer to 400°F.
02 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or spray air fryer basket with cooking spray.
03 - Place onion and cheese-flavored chips in a food processor or zip-top bag and crush into coarse crumbs; transfer to a shallow dish.
04 - Combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a separate shallow dish.
05 - Whisk eggs and milk together in a third shallow bowl.
06 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
07 - Dredge each tender in seasoned flour, shake off excess, dip into egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with crushed chip mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
08 - Place coated tenders in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet or air fryer basket.
09 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes or air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
10 - Allow tenders to rest for 2 minutes prior to serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The coating stays crispy even when it cools down, which means these are surprisingly good for lunch the next day.
  • You get restaurant-quality flavor from pantry staples that kids actually recognize and trust.
  • Air frying makes these ready in under 12 minutes, so weeknight dinners suddenly feel less stressful.
02 -
  • Don't skip patting the chicken dry—wet surfaces make coatings slide off, and that's heartbreaking when you're already this far in.
  • The chips will brown fast, so keep an eye on them during the last few minutes and don't let them blacken.
03 -
  • If your crushed chips seem too fine, mix them with a tablespoon or two of panko breadcrumbs to add more texture.
  • An air fryer cuts the cooking time in half and uses less energy, though an oven works just fine—just flip halfway through for even browning.
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