Are you ready to make the crispiest, most flavorful, and most ridiculously fun chicken tenders of your life? A guaranteed home run for dinner that will have both kids and adults cheering? This amazing, from-scratch Crispy BBQ Chip Chicken is a total game-changer for weeknight meals. We’re using a brilliant kitchen hack—crushed barbecue potato chips—to create an instant, perfectly seasoned, and unbelievably crunchy coating for tender, juicy chicken.
This isn’t just another baked chicken recipe; it’s a guide to your new favorite family dinner. We’ll show you the simple secrets to a crust that stays shatteringly crisp in the oven and chicken that is always perfectly moist and tender. Served with a cool, creamy, and tangy chive and garlic dip, this is a complete and satisfying meal that is pure, unadulterated fun.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate Fun & Crispy Chicken
What makes this BBQ Chip Chicken so spectacularly delicious is its brilliant use of a simple, store-bought shortcut to create a gourmet-quality result. A bag of your favorite barbecue-flavored potato chips acts as the perfect, all-in-one, seasoned breading that is packed with smoky, sweet, and savory flavor. The chicken tenders are baked, not fried, on a wire rack, which is the secret to a perfectly crisp, 360-degree crunch. Paired with a simple, from-scratch sour cream and chive dip, this is a foolproof recipe for a meal that is bursting with flavor and texture.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 30 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 6 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Fun Dinner
This recipe uses a handful of simple, high-impact ingredients and one very smart shortcut.
- The Crispy Crust (The Genius Hack!):
- Barbecue Potato Chips: This is the game-changing secret ingredient! A bag of your favorite brand of coarsely crushed, barbecue-flavored potato chips is the ultimate shortcut. It provides the crunchy coating, the salt, and a complex, smoky, and sweet seasoning blend all in one convenient ingredient.
- The Chicken:
- Chicken Tenderloins: Using chicken tenderloins is a fantastic choice because they are naturally incredibly tender and cook very quickly, making them perfect for a fast weeknight meal and a favorite with kids.
- The Flavorful Dredge: Before the egg and the chips, we first coat the chicken in a seasoned flour mixture. A simple blend of flour, brown sugar, ground mustard, and cayenne pepper creates a wonderful, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy base layer of flavor that mimics a classic barbecue rub and helps the chip coating to stick.
- The Cool & Creamy Chive and Garlic Dip: This is the perfect, refreshing counterpoint to the salty, savory chicken. A simple, no-cook mixture of sour cream, fresh minced garlic, and finely chopped fresh chives.
Step-by-Step to the Crispiest Baked Chicken
This delicious meal comes together in just a few simple stages. We’ve also included instructions for making these in an air fryer!
Step 1: Make the Creamy Chive and Garlic Dip
First, in a small bowl, mix together the 1 cup of sour cream, the 1/4 cup of minced fresh chives, the 2 minced garlic cloves, and the 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Cover the bowl and place the dip in the refrigerator to chill and allow the flavors to meld while you prepare the chicken.
Part 2: Set Up Your Breading Station and Coat the Chicken
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack inside a large, 15×10-inch baking pan.
Pro Tip: Using a wire rack is a crucial step for crispy baked chicken! It allows the hot air to circulate all around the tenders, which is the key to making the bottom just as crispy as the top.
Step 2: Prepare your three-step breading station. In a shallow bowl, mix together the 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, the 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar, the 1 teaspoon of ground mustard, the 3/4 teaspoon of pepper, the 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and the 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
Step 3: Place your 2 lightly beaten eggs in a second shallow bowl.
Step 4: Place your 2 1/2 cups of coarsely crushed barbecue potato chips in a third shallow bowl.
Step 5: Working with one chicken tender at a time, first dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture to coat both sides, then shake off any excess. Next, dip the floured tender in the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press the tender firmly into the potato chip crumbs, ensuring a thick, even coating on all sides.
Part 3: Bake to Crispy, Golden Perfection
Step 1: Place the coated chicken tenders on the prepared wire rack in your baking pan.
Step 2: Lightly spritz the tops of the tenders with a cooking spray. This is the secret that helps the dry potato chips to “fry” in the oven, making them extra golden-brown and crispy.
Step 3: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the coating is a beautiful, deep golden brown and the chicken is fully cooked through and no longer pink.
Serve the hot, crispy chicken tenders immediately with the cool and creamy chive and garlic dip.
Air Fryer Instructions
For an even faster and crispier result, you can use your air fryer!
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2: Prepare and coat the chicken as directed above. Lightly spray the air fryer basket and the tops of the coated chicken tenders with a nonstick cooking spray.
Step 3: Place the crusted chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You will likely need to work in batches.
Step 4: Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through, until the crust is golden brown and crispy and the chicken is cooked through.
The Ultimate Crunchy BBQ Potato Chip Chicken
A simple and kid-friendly recipe for crispy, baked chicken tenders with a unique crust made from crushed barbecue potato chips. The chicken tenderloins are coated in a seasoned flour mixture, dipped in egg, and then pressed into the coarsely crushed potato chips for a flavorful, crunchy exterior. The tenders are then baked on a rack until golden and cooked through, and served with a quick, homemade chive and garlic sour cream dipping sauce.
Ingredients
- For the Dip:
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup minced fresh chives
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Chicken:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 1/2 cups coarsely crushed barbecue potato chips
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Make the Dip: In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream, chives, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Refrigerate the sauce until you are ready to serve.
- Prepare the Chicken: Set up a breading station with three separate shallow bowls. In the first bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, ground mustard, pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and cayenne pepper. Place the lightly beaten eggs in the second bowl. Place the crushed potato chips in the third bowl.
- Dip each chicken tenderloin first in the flour mixture to coat, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it in the egg, and finally, press it into the potato chip crumbs, patting to help the coating adhere.
- Place the coated tenders on a wire rack set inside a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Spritz the tops with cooking spray.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve the chicken tenders warm with the prepared dipping sauce.
Notes
- Using crushed barbecue potato chips as the breading is a key technique that provides both a crispy texture and a smoky, savory flavor.
- Baking the chicken tenders on a wire rack allows air to circulate, which helps to make the coating crispy on all sides.
- Spritzing the tenders with cooking spray before baking helps the potato chip coating to brown and crisp up.
What to Serve With Your BBQ Chip Chicken
These fun and crispy chicken tenders are perfect for a classic, kid-friendly comfort food dinner.
- Classic Fries: Serve them alongside some hot, crispy french fries or tater tots with ketchup for dipping.
- Mac and Cheese: A scoop of creamy, homemade macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food pairing.
- A Simple, Crunchy Slaw: A side of simple, crisp coleslaw is the perfect, fresh counterpoint to the rich, savory chicken.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive meal, you can get a head start by preparing the dipping sauce up to 3 days in advance and storing it in the refrigerator. You can also bread the raw chicken tenders and lay them on your prepared baking sheet. Cover the sheet tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you plan to bake.
- Storage: Store any leftover cooked chicken tenders and the dipping sauce in separate, airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating: The absolute best way to reheat the chicken and bring back its original crispiness is in an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for just 3-4 minutes. You can also place it on a baking sheet in a hot 400°F (200°C) oven for about 5-8 minutes.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Flavor of Chip: This is where you can get really creative! This same fantastic breading technique is also incredible with other bold, crunchy chip flavors like sour cream and onion, salt and vinegar, or even some cheesy tortilla chips like Doritos®.
- Use a Different Cut of Chicken: If you don’t have chicken tenders, this recipe is also absolutely fantastic with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been pounded to an even 1/2-inch thickness.
- Make it a Crispy Chicken Sandwich: Serve the hot, crispy chicken tenders on a soft hamburger bun with a generous spoonful of the chive and garlic dip and a few slices of dill pickle for an amazing crispy chicken sandwich!
Enjoy The Ultimate Fun & Crispy Chicken Dinner!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of fun, classic ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. These Crispy BBQ Chip Chicken Tenders are a testament to the power of a simple, creative idea to become an instant family favorite. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new, much-requested staple for busy weeknights.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and comforting meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the absolute secret to getting a super crispy, baked chicken crust?
This recipe uses three main secrets! First, the three-step breading process (flour, then egg, then the coating) ensures the crust sticks. Second, baking the chicken on a wire rack allows the hot air to circulate all around the chicken, making the bottom just as crispy as the top. Finally, a light spritz of cooking spray on top helps the dry potato chip coating to “fry” and become extra golden and crunchy in the oven.
Q2: What is the best way to crush the potato chips for the breading?
You want a coarse, rustic crumb, not a fine powder. The easiest and best way is to place the chips in a large, resealable zip-top bag. Press out most of the air, seal the bag, and then use a rolling pin or a meat mallet to gently crush the chips until you have a mixture of small pieces and coarse crumbs.
Q3: Can I make these chicken tenders ahead of time?
Yes! The best make-ahead method is to fully bread the raw chicken tenders and lay them out on your prepared baking sheet. You can then cover the sheet tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you are ready for dinner, you can just pop them in the oven.
Q4: Can I freeze these chicken tenders?
Yes, these are a fantastic freezer meal! You can freeze them either cooked or uncooked. For the best result, place the breaded, uncooked tenders in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, you can transfer the frozen tenders to a freezer-safe, resealable bag. You can bake them directly from frozen, adding about 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
Q5: Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of potato chips?
Of course! If you don’t have potato chips on hand, you can substitute them with about 2 cups of panko breadcrumbs. You may want to add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika to the panko to mimic the flavor of the barbecue chips.