Potato Chip Chicken Tenders

Potato Chip Chicken Tenders are a crispy, flavorful twist on classic homemade chicken strips. Coated in crushed honey barbecue potato chips and panko breadcrumbs, these tenders are fried to golden perfection in just 20 minutes. Perfect for quick dinners, game-day snacks, or satisfying comfort food cravings, these tenders come with a simple spicy ketchup dip for an extra flavor punch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy and flavorful: The crushed potato chips create a crunchy, savory coating with a sweet and smoky barbecue flavor.

• Quick and easy: From start to finish, you can have these ready in just 20 minutes.

• Family-friendly: Kids and adults will both love the familiar flavors and fun texture.

• Pan-fried or baked: Easily adaptable to your cooking preference or dietary needs.

• Great with dipping sauces: The spicy ketchup dip is just the start—these pair well with ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce too.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Chicken Tenders

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, patted dry

• ½ cup all-purpose flour

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

• 1 cup Honey Barbecue potato chips, crushed

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

• Vegetable oil, for frying

For the Dipping Sauce

• ½ cup ketchup

• 1 tablespoon Sriracha

Directions

1. Prep the chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into ½-inch wide strips. Season generously with salt and pepper.

2. Set up your dredging stations:

   • In one bowl, place the flour.

   • In a second bowl, beat the eggs.

   • In a third bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, crushed potato chips, salt, and pepper.

3. Coat the chicken:
   Dip each chicken strip into the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip into the egg wash, and finally coat with the potato chip mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating sticks.

4. Fry the tenders:
   Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   Add a few tenders to the skillet without overcrowding. Cook for about 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
   Transfer cooked tenders to a paper towel-lined plate. Add more oil to the pan as needed and repeat until all tenders are cooked.

5. Make the dipping sauce:
   In a small bowl, mix ketchup and Sriracha. Serve alongside the hot chicken tenders.

Servings and timing

This recipe makes 4 servings.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Variations

• Baked version: Place coated chicken tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet and bake at 425°F for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through.

• Spicy kick: Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the chip mixture for extra heat.

• Different chips: Use plain, salt & vinegar, sour cream & onion, or your favorite flavored chips for a different twist.

• Air fryer: Cook in a preheated air fryer at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and fully cooked.

Storage/Reheating

Store: Place leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat: Warm in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5–8 minutes to re-crisp the coating.
Freeze: For longer storage, freeze the cooked tenders in a single layer before transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Reheat directly from frozen.

FAQs

What kind of potato chips work best?

Honey barbecue chips add sweetness and smoky flavor, but you can use any type you like—try sour cream & onion, salt & vinegar, or spicy chips for variation.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

Yes! Bake at 425°F for 25–30 minutes on a parchment-lined baking sheet, flipping halfway through for even browning.

What dipping sauces go well with this?

Aside from the Sriracha ketchup, try ranch dressing, honey mustard, buffalo sauce, or garlic aioli.

Can I use chicken tenders instead of breasts?

Absolutely—chicken tenders are already the perfect size and work just as well without slicing.

How do I crush the potato chips?

Use a food processor, or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin.

Are these spicy?

Not inherently, but you can add heat by using spicy chips or mixing cayenne into the coating.

Can I make these gluten-free?

Yes, just use gluten-free flour, gluten-free panko, and gluten-free potato chips.

What’s the best oil for frying these?

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable oil, canola, or peanut oil.

How do I keep the coating from falling off?

Make sure to press the coating into the chicken and avoid moving the tenders too early while cooking.

Can I prep them ahead of time?

You can coat the chicken strips and refrigerate them for a few hours before cooking. Wait to fry or bake until just before serving.

Conclusion

These Potato Chip Chicken Tenders are a fun and flavorful upgrade to your regular chicken strips. With a golden, crunchy coating made from crushed chips and panko, they deliver satisfying texture and bold taste in every bite. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, this recipe is a must-try for weeknight dinners, parties, or game day eats. Serve with your favorite sauce and enjoy the crispy goodness!