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.

If you’re looking for some regular homemade crispy chicken tenders we’ve got you covered and we also have an Air Fryer Chicken Tender recipe and be sure to try our Oven Baked Chicken Wings too.

Flamin hot cheeto chicken tenders on a platter with a side of ranch for dipping.

Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Chicken Tenders

This recipe will absolutely knock your socks off.  Chicken tenders 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!

The amazing thing about this Cheeto Chicken 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.

hot cheeto chicken tenders recipe on a wire cooling rack.

Key Ingredients

  • Flamin’ Hot Cheetos – this has a nice kick and are extra bright red, but 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 Ranch works great.
  • Buttermilk – any type will work. It adds a little flavor but also tenderizes the chicken.
  • Eggs – you will need eggs to help stick the breading onto the chicken.
  • Flour – all-purpose flour works great for the breading.

How to Make 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 1/2″ 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!
hot cheeto chicken on a baking sheet with a wire rack underneath.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I crush the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos for the recipe?

Use a food processor and pulse the cheetoes until crushed or Place the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos in a resealable plastic bag and crush them using a rolling pin or mallet until they are finely ground.

Can I use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breast tenderloins?

Yes, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs as a substitute, but adjust the cooking time as they may take longer to cook through.

What dipping sauce pairs well with Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Chicken tenders?

Ranch dressing, honey mustard, or a creamy sriracha sauce are popular choices to complement the spicy kick of the chicken tenders.

Do I need to marinate the chicken before coating it with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos?

It’s not necessary to marinate the chicken, but you can if you prefer. A simple buttermilk or seasoned yogurt marinade works well with this recipe.

A platter with flamin hot chicken cheetos and a side of ranch dressing.

Recipe Tips and Variations

  • 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 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!
  • 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.
  • To make an easy copycat KFC Chicken Cheeto Sandwich, just toast 2 buns, add a little mayo or ranch dressing, some lettuce, and your Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders. 
  • To air fry these instead, arrange a single layer of chicken tenders in the air fryer basket and spray lightly with cooking spray.  Preheat to 400 degrees F, then air fry for about 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.  Repeat as needed.
3.92 from 69 votes

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders Recipe

Author The Carefree Kitchen
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.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Yields8 people

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken tenders, or chicken breasts cut into 1½" strips
  • ounces Flamin' Hot Cheetos, ground or crushed fine
  • 1/3 cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons ranch dressing
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Prepare a baking sheet by placing a cooling rack over it, then set aside. 
  • Remove the chicken tenders from their packaging and pat dry with paper towels.  Place them into a gallon freezer 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 until they are about 1/2" thick.
  • 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.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the buttermilk, ranch dressing, egg, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper and mix until combined.  Using tongs, add the 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.
  • Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit.  
  • Once fully cooked, remove from the oven and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.  Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Storing Instructions: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating: reheat in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through.

Nutrition

Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Sharing this recipe with a link is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.

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More Easy Chicken Recipes

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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3.92 from 69 votes (66 ratings without comment)

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12 Comments

  1. Hi could these tenders be panned fried?
    Thank you

  2. wilhelmina says:

    My husband gave these two thumbs up! They were excellent dipped in ranch.

  3. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says:

    So delicious! Thank you for this amazing recipe!

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