“This recipe comes from Gaël, my 11-year-old son, who saw it on social media and asked his mom to try it. I tested and refined everything for a result that adults will love as much as children. A killer!” — Marilyn

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An ultra-crispy coating full of flavor

Looking for a coating that's out of the ordinary and bursting with flavor? These Doritos-coated chicken bites add a fun and delicious twist to a home-cooked classic. With their ultra-crispy and spicy coating, they'll please both children and adults.

Why use Doritos for breading?

Doritos chips, in addition to their incomparable crunch, bring a unique flavor that varies depending on the version chosen: cheesy, spicy, or even barbecue. This trick transforms a simple breaded chicken into a comforting and original dish, perfect for a quick dinner or a festive snack.

A marinade for more tender and flavorful chicken

While breaded chicken is already delicious on its own, marinating it creates an even juicier and more flavorful texture. The acidity of the buttermilk tenderizes the meat while enhancing its flavor. Add a touch of hot sauce for an extra kick!

🔍 Information
Details	Values
⏱️ Preparation time	15 minutes (+ marinade if used)
🍳 Cooking time	10-18 minutes
⏲️ Total time	25-33 minutes
🔧 Difficulty level	Easy
🍽️ Servings	4

Ingredients

Chicken : 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch bite-sized pieces Marinade option (optional): 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice) 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional) 1 tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper Crispy breading: About half a bag of Doritos (flavor of your choice) 1 cup flour 2 eggs 1 1/2 tsp paprika 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional) 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp salt Cooking : Frying oil: peanut, sunflower or canola (according to preference)

Instructions

Marinade (optional): Combine buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add the chicken and marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Drain and dry lightly before coating. Prepare the breadcrumbs: Crush the Doritos into fine crumbs. Prepare the breading station: Mix flour, paprika, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a bowl. Beat the eggs in a second bowl. Place the Doritos crumbs in a third bowl. Coat the bites: Coat each piece in flour. Dip in beaten eggs. Roll in Doritos crumbs. Cooking : Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 15-18 minutes. Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 10-12 minutes. Pan-fry with 2 tbsp of oil for 3-4 minutes per side.

Service and accompaniments

These bites are best enjoyed warm with ranch, spicy mayonnaise, or honey-mustard dressing. They're perfect as an appetizer, a main course with salad or grilled vegetables, or even as a snack for a night in with friends.

🥄 Tip : For an even hotter kick, try with spicy Doritos or add a pinch of chili to the breadcrumbs!

Everything you need to know about Doritos Crispy Chicken Bites

What is the best Doritos flavor for this recipe?

It all depends on your taste! The classic Nacho Cheese flavors add a creamy, slightly spicy flavor, while Sweet Chili Heat adds a sweet and spicy kick. Flamin' Hot is perfect for those who like something spicy, and the BBQ flavor we used adds a smoky, savory touch that works wonderfully with chicken.

How to prevent breadcrumbs from coming off during cooking?

Proper coating adhesion depends on a few key steps: dry the chicken thoroughly before coating, lightly press the breading in after coating, and let the coated pieces rest for 10 minutes before cooking. This helps the layers bond better and prevents the coating from peeling during cooking.

Can this recipe be made with another meat?

Absolutely! This coating works great with fish fillets, shrimp, or even tofu sticks for a vegetarian version.

What sauces go best with these bites?

They're delicious with homemade ranch dressing , spicy mayo , honey mustard sauce , or even queso-style cheese sauce for a Doritos-like flavor. For a simple and effective option, mayo + ketchup is a winning combination—it's Gaël's favorite, in fact!

How to make this recipe even crispier?

For an even crispier crust, you can add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to the flour before breading the chicken. The cornstarch helps absorb moisture and creates an even crispier texture when cooked.

Nutritional Information
Nutrient	Quantity (per serving)
🍽️ Serving	1/4 of the recipe
🔥 Calories	450 kcal
🥩 Proteins	28 g
🍞 Carbohydrates	35 g
🍬 Sugars	3 g
🌾 Fibers	2 g
🛢️ Lipids	20 g
🥑 Saturated fatty acids	5 g
🧂 Sodium	850 mg
✅ Health note	6.5/10 Highlights: High in protein, tasty and crunchy. Things to watch out for: High sodium and fat content.

🌎 Chips Consumption by Country (kg per capita/year)
🇺🇸 United States	≈ 5 kg/inhabitant
🇬🇧 United Kingdom	≈ 4 kg/inhabitant
🇫🇷 France	≈ 3 kg/inhabitant
🇩🇪 Germany	≈ 2 kg/inhabitant
🇯🇵 Japan	≈ 1 kg/inhabitant

📌 Fun Fact : Americans consume an average of 5 kg of potato chips per year , or about 150 bags of chips per second nationwide! 🥔