Crispy Onion Chip Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken with a crunchy onion and cheese chip crust, baked or air-fried until golden and flavorful.

# What You Need:

→ 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 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
05 - 2 large eggs
06 - 2 tbsp milk
07 - ½ tsp garlic powder
08 - ½ tsp paprika
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper

# How-To Steps:

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 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 shallow dish.
05 - Whisk eggs and milk in a separate shallow bowl.
06 - Pat chicken tenders dry using paper towels.
07 - Dredge each tender in seasoned flour, shaking off excess; dip into egg wash, then coat in crushed chip mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
08 - Place coated tenders in a single layer on prepared baking sheet or air fryer basket.
09 - Bake for 16–18 minutes or air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
10 - Allow tenders to rest for 2 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Kids actually beg for these instead of pushing their plate away, which is its own kind of victory.
  • The coating stays shatteringly crispy whether you bake or air fry, no soggy regrets.
  • It feels fancy enough for a casual dinner party but takes barely thirty minutes from fridge to table.
02 -
  • Don't skip drying the chicken; wet tenders make the coating slide off during cooking and you'll end up with crispy crumbs in the pan instead of on your food.
  • The egg mixture is your glue—without it, the chips won't cling, so don't rush through the dipping step.
  • Air frying makes these crispier with less oil, but if you use a regular oven, the results are still excellent and the cooking time difference is worth noting so you don't overbake.
03 -
  • If you're craving extra heat, mix cayenne pepper into your flour blend—just start with a quarter teaspoon and taste as you go.
  • Crushing your chips by hand in a sturdy bag instead of a food processor gives you more control over texture and feels like you're actually making something, not just assembling.
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