Simple Cheetos Chicken Recipe
A Creative Twist on a Classic: Cheetos Chicken Tenders
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of making a meal that turns out better than expected. That’s exactly what happened when I decided to make breaded chicken tenders but found myself short on breadcrumbs. Instead of giving up, I turned to a bag of Simply Cheetos puffs that had been sitting in the pantry, waiting for a purpose. The result? Crispy, flavorful Cheetos chicken tenders that were a hit with the whole family.
This recipe is perfect for those who want to enjoy a quick and easy meal without sacrificing flavor. It only takes 15 minutes to bake, and it’s a great option for busy weeknights or impromptu dinners. Plus, it’s an excellent way to use up any leftover Cheetos you might have lying around.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here are a few reasons why this Cheetos chicken recipe is a must-try:
- Quick and easy: With minimal ingredients, this recipe can be made in no time.
- Minimal ingredients: Most of the items needed are likely already in your kitchen.
- Versatile: You can use an air fryer instead of the oven for even crispier results.
- Picky eater approved: The kids will love the crunchy texture and cheesy flavor.
What You Need
To make this recipe, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Chicken tenders: You can also use chicken breasts if you prefer, though they may take longer to cook.
- Cheetos: I used white cheddar, but any flavor — including Flamin Hot or regular cheddar — will work.
- Italian seasoning: This adds a nice herby kick to the dish.
- Egg: Helps the breading stick to the chicken.
- Milk: Used to thin out the egg mixture.
How to Make Cheetos Chicken Tenders
Follow these simple steps to create your own crispy Cheetos chicken tenders:
- Crush the Cheetos in a large freezer bag using a meat mallet or rolling pin, or use a food processor.
- Place the crushed Cheetos into a shallow dish and stir in the Italian seasoning.
- In a separate dish, whisk together the egg and milk.
- Dip each chicken tender into the egg wash, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Press the chicken into the Cheeto crumbs until well covered.
- Place the chicken on a lightly greased baking sheet.
- Bake at 400°F for 15–20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Quick Tips
To make the process smoother, try these tips:
- Set up a breading station with the egg wash and Cheeto crumbs in separate dishes.
- Use kitchen tongs to avoid getting crumbs on your hands.
Variations
If you don’t have chicken tenders on hand, you can:
- Slice chicken breasts into long strips or smaller pieces to make chicken nuggets.
- Use an air fryer instead of the oven. Air fry at 390°F for 8–10 minutes.
- Add shredded Parmesan cheese for extra flavor.
Easy Cheetos Chicken Recipe
This easy Cheetos chicken recipe uses crushed Cheetos instead of bread crumbs to make breaded chicken tenders in the oven. Ready in just 15 minutes!
Course: Main
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 362 kcal
Author: Dee
Cost: $10
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon milk
- 3 cups white cheddar Simply Cheetos puffs (crushed)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F, and lightly grease a baking sheet with oil or non-stick cooking spray. You can also line the baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Crush the Cheetos in a large freezer bag using a meat mallet or rolling pin, or use a food processor.
- Place the crumbs into a shallow dish, and stir in the Italian seasoning.
- Add the egg to a small shallow dish, and whisk with milk until blended.
- Dip the chicken tenders into the egg mixture.
- Press the chicken into the Cheeto crumbs until well coated.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet, and bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes or until the internal temperature is at least 165°F, according to a meat thermometer.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use any flavor or variety of Cheetos. If you’re using the crunchy variety, you may only need 2 cups.
- These can be air fried at 390°F for 8–10 minutes or until cooked through.
Nutrition
- Calories: 362 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0.02 g
- Cholesterol: 119 mg
- Sodium: 545 mg
- Potassium: 551 mg
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Vitamin A: 111 IU
- Vitamin C: 1 mg
- Calcium: 121 mg
- Iron: 3 mg
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