Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders: The Ultimate Oven-Baked Comfort Food

Few things bring a smile to the table faster than golden, crunchy chicken tenders fresh out of the oven. These Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders are everything you want in a comfort meal—juicy chicken inside, an irresistibly crunchy coating outside, and a satisfying flavor that reminds you of your favorite chips. The secret? Crushed potato chips! They create a crisp, salty crust that beats breadcrumbs any day. This recipe is quick, kid-approved, and endlessly adaptable—whether you love classic ridged chips, smoky BBQ, or even jalapeño spice.

Reasons You’ll Fall in Love with Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders

Crispy Without Frying
You’ll get that crave-worthy crunch without deep-frying—just a hot oven and a little cooking spray.

Kid-Approved & Crowd-Pleasing
These tenders are guaranteed to disappear fast! They’re fun to make and perfect for family dinners, game nights, or movie snacks.

Flavor Flexibility
Any potato chip flavor works here—go bold with spicy or tangy chips, or keep it classic with plain salted.

Easy, One-Pan Cleanup
Everything bakes on one sheet, which means less mess and more time to enjoy.

Healthier Comfort Food
Oven-baking keeps things lighter while still delivering all the satisfying crunch you crave.

What You’ll Need to Make Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders

Here’s what makes these chicken tenders so addictive—and how each ingredient pulls its weight:

• 1 pound chicken breast tenders (or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into thirds) — Lean, juicy, and quick to cook.
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour — Helps the coating stick and keeps the crust crispy.
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder — Adds savory depth and warmth.
• ½ teaspoon onion powder — Boosts flavor without overpowering.
• ½ teaspoon dried dill — Brings a hint of tangy freshness that complements the chips perfectly.
• 1 large egg — Acts as the glue for your crust, holding everything together.
• 4 ounces ridged potato chips (any flavor) — The star of the show—provides that shatteringly crisp coating.
• Cooking spray — Ensures even browning and crisp texture.
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste — Balances the flavors and enhances the chips’ seasoning.
• To serve: Ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce — For dipping, because tenders and sauce are soulmates.

Easy Steps to Perfect Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders

Preheat the Oven

Set your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking spray. This setup keeps cleanup easy and prevents sticking.

Prepare the Breading Station

In the first shallow bowl, whisk together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, salt, and pepper.

In the second bowl, beat the egg and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Place potato chips in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin (or the back of a wooden spoon) until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs. Transfer them to a third bowl.

Bread the Chicken

Working one piece at a time, dredge chicken in the flour mixture, dip into the egg, then roll in crushed chips, pressing gently so the coating sticks. Lay each coated tender on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each piece.

Bake Until Crispy

Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping once halfway through for even crispness. The coating should be golden and the chicken cooked through—165°F internal temperature is perfect.

Serve

Let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving so the coating stays crisp. Serve hot with ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce for dipping.

Helpful Cooking Tips for Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders

Crush, Don’t Pulverize: You want small, crunchy chip bits—not fine crumbs—so the texture stays light and crisp.

Even Coating: Press the chips gently into the chicken for maximum crunch retention.

Hot Oven = Crispy Coating: Don’t go below 400°F or you’ll lose that irresistible texture.

Flavor Upgrade: Use flavored chips—like sour cream & onion, cheddar, or BBQ—for a fun twist.

Don’t Overbake: Once the tenders hit 165°F, pull them out to keep the meat juicy.

Recommended Equipment

Rimmed baking sheet — Keeps everything contained and allows for even cooking.

Parchment paper — Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.

Rolling pin or wooden spoon — Ideal for crushing chips without a mess.

Three shallow bowls — Perfect for your dredging station setup.

Whisk — For evenly blending seasonings into flour and egg.

Best Ways to Serve Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders

Here are some tasty and creative serving ideas:

Classic Dinner Combo — Pair with coleslaw or oven fries for a nostalgic comfort meal.

Kid-Friendly Lunch — Serve with ketchup or honey mustard and carrot sticks.

Game Day Snack — Slice into bite-size pieces and serve with a variety of dipping sauces.

Chicken Sandwich — Pop a couple of tenders into a soft bun with lettuce and mayo for an instant upgrade.

Party Platter — Mix with other finger foods like fries, sliders, or veggie sticks for a crowd-pleasing spread.

Tasty Ideas to Pair with Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders

Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders are golden, crunchy, and comforting — the ultimate crowd-pleasing main. These sides and dishes complement crispy chicken tenders beautifully:

Spinach Broccoli White Lasagna – A Creamy, Comforting Meatless Classic

Serve a slice on the side for a creamy, cheesy veggie contrast that complements the crispiness of the chicken tenders.

Easy Blackberry Basil Iced Tea – Ready in Minutes with the Instant Pot

This refreshing, lightly sweet tea cuts through the richness of the fried coating and adds a cooling, herbal touch.

4-Ingredient No-Bake Peanut Nougat (No Flour, No Oven!)

A chewy, nutty dessert that’s easy to make and satisfies your sweet tooth without overpowering the meal.

Together, these create a complete comfort-food plate with crispy texture, creamy contrast, refreshing sips, and a sweet, satisfying bite at the end.

Diet-Friendly Options

Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and chips. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Dairy-Free: Skip creamy dips or use dairy-free ranch or mayo-based sauces.

Low-Sodium: Choose unsalted or lightly salted chips, and go easy on added salt.

Air Fryer Option: Cook at 400°F for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway. The result? Even crispier tenders with less oil.

Lower-Carb Version: Swap chips for crushed pork rinds for a keto-friendly crust.

Best Ways to Store

Refrigerate: Store cooled tenders in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Reheat: Bake at 375°F for 8–10 minutes until hot and crisp again. Avoid microwaving—it softens the coating.

Freeze: You can freeze cooked tenders for up to 1 month. Reheat from frozen at 400°F for 15–18 minutes until heated through.

Recipe Variations

BBQ Chip Tenders: Use BBQ-flavored chips and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Spicy Kick: Try jalapeño or hot chili chips for a fun heat boost.

Herb Lovers: Swap dill for Italian seasoning and use plain chips for a more classic herb flavor.

Cheesy Twist: Use cheddar chips and serve with honey mustard for a sweet-salty combo.

Mini Bites: Cut chicken into nuggets for kid-friendly portions or party snacks.

These Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders are the kind of meal that turns ordinary chicken into something unforgettable. With just a handful of ingredients and a clever use of potato chips, you get juicy, flavorful tenders that hit all the right notes—crunchy, savory, and satisfying. Perfect for busy weeknights, picky eaters, or anyone craving a fun twist on comfort food. Try them once, and you’ll wonder why you ever used breadcrumbs!

Your Top 5 Questions About Crispy Potato Crusted Chicken Tenders, Answered