Name: Cheetos Chicken Strips Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenders; 4 cups Flamin’ Hot or regular Cheetos, crushed into fine crumbs; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 large eggs; 2 tablespoons milk; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; Salt and black pepper to taste; Cooking spray or oil for baking/frying

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If you’ve ever dreamed of combining your favorite cheesy snack with juicy chicken strips, these Cheetos Chicken Strips are an absolute must-try. Picture perfectly tender chicken tenders coated in a bold, crispy crust made from actual Cheetos—delivering a pop of flavor and color that will make any mealtime outrageously fun. Whether you’re hosting game night, pleasing picky eaters, or just craving comfort food with attitude, Cheetos Chicken Strips are your ticket to snack-time bliss.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Cheetos Chicken Strips Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering ingredients for Cheetos Chicken Strips is wonderfully simple, and each one plays an essential role in building up that crave-worthy crunch and explosion of flavor. From the fiery (or classic) Cheetos to the subtle seasonings, every element works together for maximum deliciousness.

Chicken Tenders: Boneless, skinless tenders deliver juicy, quick-cooking results every single time.
Flamin’ Hot or Regular Cheetos: Crush these into a bright, crunchy coating—the hotter the better if you love spice!
All-Purpose Flour: This helps the coating stick and seasons every bite.
Large Eggs: Acts as the glue that grabs those Cheetos crumbs and keeps everything together.
Milk: Silky-smoothes the egg wash so the coating goes on perfectly even.
Garlic Powder: Adds just the right hit of savory goodness in the background.
Paprika: Brings a gentle, smoky warmth to the flour mixture.
Salt and Black Pepper: For bringing every flavor to life and balancing the heat.
Cooking Spray or Oil: For your chosen method—whether you crave a golden bake or that iconic fried crunch.

How to Make Cheetos Chicken Strips

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F if you’re on team baked chicken, or heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F for classic frying. Grab three shallow bowls to set up your breading station—you’ll need all hands on deck for the tastiest results!

Step 2: Crush the Cheetos

Place your chosen Cheetos (be bold with Flamin’ Hot or keep it classic) into a food processor and pulse until you’ve got finely crushed, vibrant crumbs. Transfer those spicy, cheesy bits into a shallow bowl—get ready, this will be your magical crust!

Step 3: Season the Flour

In your next bowl, stir together the flour, garlic powder, paprika, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. This fragrant mixture will give your chicken a super flavorful foundation before its cheesy transformation.

Step 4: Whisk the Eggs and Milk

Combine eggs and milk in the third bowl, whisking just until it’s all smooth and well-blended. This rich mixture will help the Cheetos crunch stick like a dream and ensure a gorgeous crispy outside.

Step 5: Dredge, Dip, and Coat

To assemble, dredge each chicken strip first in the seasoned flour, shake off the excess, then dip into the egg mixture. Finish by rolling the chicken in those crushed Cheetos, pressing gently so every millimeter is coated with that signature cheesy crust.

Step 6: Bake or Fry to Crispy Perfection

If you’re baking, arrange the strips on a greased sheet and give them a quick spritz of cooking spray. Slide them into the oven for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until brilliantly crispy. For frying, work in batches, cooking chicken strips a few at a time for 4–5 minutes per side—until you have crackling-crisp, golden beauties. Drain on paper towels and get ready for action!

How to Serve Cheetos Chicken Strips

Garnishes

A pop of fresh green always looks stunning against the orange crust of Cheetos Chicken Strips. Sprinkle with a little chopped parsley, sliced green onions, or even a dash of extra crushed Cheetos over the top just before serving. If you love a cooling element, add a side of creamy ranch or a wedge of lime to brighten things right up!

Side Dishes

These chicken strips were made to partner with crispy fries, tangy coleslaw, or a crunchy green salad for a perfect meal. You could also serve them with carrot and celery sticks—soak up every last drop of dipping sauce!

Creative Ways to Present

If you really want to surprise your guests, try serving Cheetos Chicken Strips slider-style in mini buns with lettuce and pickles, or slice them up and sprinkle over a vibrant salad. For an epic party platter, set out a tray with different dipping sauces—honey mustard, sriracha mayo, and ranch are all winners!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Cheetos Chicken Strips keep nicely in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For best results, let them cool completely before storing—this will help keep the coating from getting soggy.

Freezing

If you want to extend the shelf life of your crunchy creation, place fully cooled chicken strips in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Then transfer to a freezer bag and store up to 2 months. Perfect for meal prepping or late-night cravings!

Reheating

For the crispiest reheated chicken, arrange cold strips on a rack set over a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes, or until hot and sizzly. Air fryers also do an amazing job of reviving Cheetos Chicken Strips back to their just-cooked glory.

FAQs

Can I use other flavors of Cheetos for Cheetos Chicken Strips?

Absolutely! Feel free to explore with any Cheetos flavor—White Cheddar, Crunchy Cheddar Jalapeño, or anything seasonal. Each brings a unique twist to your chicken strips.

Are Cheetos Chicken Strips spicy?

That totally depends on your choice of Cheetos. Flamin’ Hot Cheetos will make them spicy and exciting, while the classic orange will bring cheesy, mild comfort. Pick your heat level based on your audience!

Can I make Cheetos Chicken Strips gluten free?

Yes, you can swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend, and use gluten-free crunchy snacks if you can find them. Just double-check all your ingredients to be sure.

What can I use if I don’t have a food processor to crush the Cheetos?

No food processor? No problem. Pour your Cheetos into a large zip-top bag, seal it, and crush with a rolling pin or even a heavy pan. It’s a great way to involve kids or work out a little energy!

How can I make the coating extra crunchy?

For an extra-thick, ultra-crunchy crust, double-dip each strip—after the first Cheetos coating, dip again in the egg mixture and then coat a second time in Cheetos crumbs. You’ll get a satisfying, dramatic crunch with every bite.

Final Thoughts

Cheesy, crunchy, and unlike anything you’ve ever tried, Cheetos Chicken Strips are pure, playful comfort food at its finest. I’m so excited for you to bring this bold recipe into your kitchen and make snack memories you’ll crave again and again. Grab a bag of Cheetos, gather your friends and family, and enjoy every irresistible bite!

Cheetos Chicken Strips Recipe

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4.6 from 16 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Cheetos Chicken Strips are a crunchy and flavorful twist on traditional chicken tenders. Coated in crushed Cheetos and baked or fried to crispy perfection, these strips are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Strips:

1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenders

Coating:

4 cups Flamin’ Hot or regular Cheetos, crushed into fine crumbs
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste

For Cooking:

Cooking spray or oil for baking/frying

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 400°F or heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F if frying.
Prepare the Coating: Place Cheetos in a food processor and pulse until finely crushed. Transfer to a shallow bowl. In another bowl, mix flour with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a third bowl, whisk eggs with milk.
Coat the Chicken Strips: Dredge each chicken strip in the seasoned flour, dip into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly with the crushed Cheetos.
Baking Method: For baking, place coated strips on a greased baking sheet, spray lightly with cooking spray, and bake for 18–20 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Frying Method: For frying, cook strips in hot oil for 4–5 minutes per side or until fully cooked and crisp. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.