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Home Recipes by Type Appetizers/Snacks
30 30 Minutes or Less DF Dairy-Free 5I 5 ingredients or less

Taco Chicken Tenders

4.67
/5
35 mins
15 Comments
Jump to Recipe
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 05/01/2013Updated: 06/15/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These taco chicken tenders are great for a party, but your kids will love them too! Super quick and easy to make. Get the recipe on RachelCooks.com!

Taco chicken tenders are great for a party, but your kids will love them too! Super quick and easy to make.

Three chicken tenders with small white bowl of salsa, on black background. Text overlay reads "Taco chicken tenders. Rachelcooks.com"

I’m loving these taco chicken tenders that are perfect for Cinco de Mayo or for any day. You’ll only need five ingredients to whip up taco chicken tenders: flour, taco seasoning, eggs, and tortilla chips. And of course, chicken. 

Kids love taco chicken tenders, too! Healthy, and fun to dip in salsa or better yet, homemade salsa verde. My daughter adores anything she can “dip dip dip.” And what kid doesn’t like food they can eat with their fingers?!

Taco chicken tenders come together quickly and are really flavorful, thanks to the homemade taco seasoning, which is mixed with the flour. Instead of the typical  bread crumb coating, the chicken tenders are coated in crushed tortilla chips. The tortilla chip coating give the chicken tenders a great crunch and a southwestern flavor. 

You don’t have to tell anyone that it’s a great way to use unwanted tortilla chips, all those bits and pieces at the bottom of the bag.

Overhead of five chicken tenders in baking pan.

Make these just like any other chicken tender: Dip the chicken tenders in seasoned flour, then in beaten egg, and then the crushed tortilla chips.

And because these tenders are baked, not fried, you can feel good about serving these to your family. There are no added oils to up the calorie count. Way better than fast food chicken tenders!

Try these taco chicken tenders wrapped in a soft flour or corn tortilla, with your favorite toppings. I’m thinking shredded lettuce, tomato, and avocado would be good. And salsa, of course. 

Chicken tenders are great on salads, too. Just slice them up and add them to your favorite salad. 

PS: If you love chicken tenders, make sure to check out my pizza chicken tenders or chicken caesar chicken tenders. Loving your air fryer? Try crispy air fryer chicken tenders or air fryer chicken nuggets.

Front view closeup of several chicken tenders in baking pan.

Note: Don’t have taco seasoning? That’s okay, any southwestern blend will be delicious. Plain chili powder is good, too. Or try making your own seasoning blend!

More chicken recipes

Boneless or bone-in, chicken that you can eat with your fingers is always a hit, especially with kids. Try:

 

  • Chili Lime Chicken Wings & Dipping Sauce
  • Air Fryer Chicken Wings
  • Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
  • Grilled Chicken Shawarma Drumsticks
  • Soy and Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks
  • Healthy Chicken Nuggets with Parmesan
  • Air Fryer Chicken Wings — so crispy!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Front view of several chicken tenders in baking pan.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Taco Chicken Tenders

4.67 from 3 votes
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
8 servings
Print Rate Recipe
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Taco chicken tenders are great for a party, but your kids will love them too! Super quick and easy to make.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into equal sized strips
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, divided
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups crushed tortilla chips
  • salsa for dipping, optional

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a large sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray, or line with parchment paper.
  • Place flour and half of taco seasoning in a large shallow bowl. Place beaten eggs in another shallow bowl, and chips mixed with the rest of the taco seasoning in a third bowl.
  • Coat each chicken strip in flour mixture, then dip in eggs (let excess drip off), and then finally in chip mixture. Place chicken strip on prepared tray and repeat until all chicken strips are coated.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through. Enjoy hot with salsa for dipping.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1/4 lb., Calories: 477kcal, Carbohydrates: 39g, Protein: 30g, Fat: 22g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 15g, Cholesterol: 111mg, Sodium: 1065mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 1g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
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  1. Carla @ Carlas Confections says

    May 1, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Yes! I definitely want some of these!

    Reply
  2. Bree {Skinny Mommy} says

    May 1, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    I love the tortilla crust on these! My boys would devour them :)

    Reply
  3. dixya@food, pleasure, and health says

    May 1, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    this is just great – I love spicy chicken tenders with Mexican flavors

    Reply
  4. Gerry @ foodness gracious says

    May 1, 2013 at 11:59 am

    These for me would be good every month!

    Reply
  5. Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says

    May 1, 2013 at 11:56 am

    These will definitely have to be tried at home. Mexican food is my favorite and I enjoy trying out new things to keep the flavor profile.

    Reply
  6. Cassie | Bake Your Day says

    May 1, 2013 at 11:32 am

    So fun and unique. Great idea, Rach!

    Reply
  7. Kathryn says

    May 1, 2013 at 11:14 am

    Such a clever idea to use tacos for the crispy coating. Can’t wait to give this a try!

    Reply
  8. Christine (Cook the Story) says

    May 1, 2013 at 10:58 am

    What a flipping FANTASTIC idea! I’ve seen chicken breaded in potato chips before but this is way better. How fun to turn chicken tacos on their head like this. I know my family will love these. Thanks for such a great idea!

    Reply
  9. Erika -Southern Souffle says

    May 1, 2013 at 10:26 am

    Love this idea..

    Reply
  10. Windy P says

    May 1, 2013 at 10:03 am

    What a great idea! I think the kids would love these. :)

    Reply
  11. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

    May 1, 2013 at 9:50 am

    I enjoy using non-traditional breading for chicken. I’ve used tortilla chips before, but didn’t think to add taco seasoning. I like it!

    Reply
  12. Ali | Gimme Some Oven says

    May 1, 2013 at 9:09 am

    I also love anything I can dip-dip-dip. These sound perfect for Cinco De Mayo…or every other day!!! :)

    Reply
  13. Jessica@AKitchenAddiction says

    May 1, 2013 at 9:04 am

    Great idea to use tortilla chips as the coating! Perfect way to switch up normal chicken tenders!

    Reply
  14. Stephie @ Eat Your Heart Out says

    May 1, 2013 at 8:36 am

    Holy moly! Forget the kidlets, I could eat a whole ton of these suckers! Taco seasoning and tortilla chips? Genius chicken tender idea, Rachel!

    Reply
  15. Tasha @ ThatsSoYummy says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:27 am

    This is a great change up on chicken tenders :-)

    Reply

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