Flamin' Hot Cheeto Chicken

These oven-baked Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders are spicy and crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside and so easy to make.  Serve as a simple appetizer, on a bun or even sliced into a salad for something a little different.

Our recipe for Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders will knock your socks off.  They are smothered with a buttermilk ranch batter, dipped into crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and oven-baked to perfection.  It’s a match made in heaven!

Jump to:

• Flamin' Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders Video Tutorial
• Ingredients
• How to Make Baked Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders
• Tips and Tricks
• Variations
• Flamin' Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders Recipe

Flamin' Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders Video Tutorial

The amazing thing about this recipe is that it is oven-baked, not fried.  This means you’ll cut down on the calories a bit but you will still get that crispy crunch on the outside of the tender chicken.  

We like to serve these as a fun appetizer on game day, or any time we’re hankering for a spicy chicken tender.  They also work great served on a sandwich, made into chicken nuggets or however else you like to eat chicken tenders.

Ingredients

• Flamin’ Hot Cheetos - if you aren’t big on spicy foods, you can also use plain Cheetos.
• Chicken Tenders - these are a great size. However, you can also use chicken breasts cut into 1 ½” strips.
• Ranch Dressing - store-bought or homemade.
• Buttermilk - any type will work.
• Eggs - use any type of large egg.
• Flour - all-purpose flour works great.
• Garlic Powder and Onion Powder - these add great flavor without the large pieces of garlic and onion or the hassle of chopping!
• Salt and Pepper

How to Make Baked Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders

1. Prep the chicken.  Remove the chicken tenders from their packaging and pat dry with paper towels.  Place them into a gallon Ziplock bag, or between two sheets of plastic wrap, and whack the thickest parts using a rolling pin, mason jar or the flat side of a meat tenderizer.  You want them all to be about ½" thick (this should only take a couple of good whacks!).
2. Pulse the Cheetos.  In a food processor, pulse the Flamin' Hot Cheetos until they are the size of grains of rice, then pour into a pie plate or shallow plate with edges.
3. Make the batter.  In a mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk, ranch dressing, egg, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper and mix until combined.
4. Dredge the chicken tenders.  Using tongs, add the tenderized chicken tenders to the batter and toss until completely covered on all sides.  Remove one chicken tender at a time and press into the ground Cheetos, making sure to press the Cheetos onto all sides, then place the chicken on the baking sheet.  Repeat until all of the chicken is covered.
5. Bake.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 
6. Serve.  Once fully cooked, remove from the oven and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.  Enjoy!

How to make AIr Fryer Chicken Tenders

1. Prep the chicken.  Remove the chicken tenders from their packaging and pat dry with paper towels.  Place them into a gallon Ziplock bag, or between two sheets of plastic wrap, and whack the thickest parts using a rolling pin, mason jar or the flat side of a meat tenderizer.  You want them all to be about ½" thick (this should only take a couple of good whacks!).
2. Pulse the Cheetos.  In a food processor, pulse the Flamin' Hot Cheetos until they are the size of grains of rice, then pour into a pie plate or shallow plate with edges.
3. Make the batter.  In a mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk, ranch dressing, egg, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper, and mix until combined.
4. Dredge the chicken tenders.  Using tongs, add the tenderized chicken tenders to the batter and toss until completely covered on all sides.  Remove one chicken tender at a time and press into the ground Cheetos, making sure to press the Cheetos onto all sides, then place the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer.
5. Air Fry the chicken tenders at 400 degrees F for 7-8 minutes, and flip the chicken tenders half way through. Repeat with remaining chicken.

Tips and Tricks

• It works great to use your food processor to crush the Hot Cheetos. As a result, you will have a fine crumb of Cheetos to dip your chicken tenders in. 
• If you aren't up for spice, you can use regular Cheetos too.
• Baking the chicken tenders on a baking sheet with a cookie cooling rack helps to keep the chicken tenders crispy on all sides.
• Try dipping the baked chicken in ranch or blue cheese dressing.  Both are delicious!

Variations

• Air Fryer Hot Cheeto Fried Chicken--Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F, then prep as directed in the recipe.  When you go to cook them, arrange a single layer of chicken tenders in the basket and spray lightly with cooking spray.  Air fry for about 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.  Repeat as needed.
• Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders Sandwich--If you've ever had the KFC Chicken Cheeto Sandwich, you know what I'm talking about.  It's amazing and now you can make it at home.  Just toast 2 buns, add a little mayo or ranch dressing, some lettuce, and your Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders, and you've got yourself a KFC Cheetos Chicken Sandwich. 
• Flamin’ Hot Nuggets-- Cut chicken breasts, tenders or even thighs into nugget-sized pieces and prep as directed in the recipe.  Remember that the baking time will be less; otherwise, you’ll make them just the same.  Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Here are some more easy chicken appetizers that we love!

• Buffalo Chicken Drumsticks
• Green Chili Chicken Taquitos
• Oven-Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings
• Garlic Parmesan Chicken Wings
• Garlic Parmesan Drumsticks
• Chicken Leg Recipes
• Chipotle Copycat Chicken

More recipes you'll love

• Best Appetizer Recipes
• Cheesy Appetizers
• Dip Recipes
• Chicken Recipes
• Pepper Jack Cheese Sauce
• Stuffed Crust Pizza
• Ham and Cheese Ball Recipe
• Spicy Italian Meatball Recipe
• Garlic Spread

If you’ve tried this recipe, please rate it and leave a comment on this post. I love hearing feedback from you helps me and other readers too! If you love Pinterest,  feel free to leave a comment and photo there too.  Also, if you like to share, use the hashtag #thecarefreekitchen on Instagram and tag me @thecarefreekitchen so I can find you and give your post some love. You can also find me on Facebook at The Carefree Kitchen. Thank you!!

These Flamin' Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders are oven-baked and so easy to make. They are spicy, crunchy, flavorful on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.  

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