Sweet & Spicy Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken with Chipotle Sauce Recipe

Crispy tortilla chip crusted chicken brings an unexpected crunch to your dinner table.

Mexican street food inspires this playful twist on classic breaded protein.

Crushed chips create a golden, textured coating that shatters delightfully with each bite.

Zesty chipotle sauce adds a smoky punch of heat and complexity.

Pantry staples transform into something extraordinary with minimal effort.

Simple ingredients combine to deliver maximum flavor and excitement.

Chicken With Chipotle Crust That’s Crispy And Spicy

• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Whip up this delicious tortilla chip crusted chicken in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy families craving a flavor-packed dinner without complicated steps.
• Customizable Crunch Factor: Crush tortilla chips to your preferred texture – from fine breadcrumb-like coating to chunky pieces – creating a personalized crispy exterior that adds exciting texture to ordinary chicken.
• Healthier Baking Option: Skip deep-frying and use oven or air fryer methods, significantly reducing oil content while maintaining an incredibly crispy, golden-brown chicken that satisfies crunchy food lovers.
• Spicy Sauce Sensation: Homemade chipotle sauce delivers a bold, smoky kick that elevates the entire dish, transforming simple chicken into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal extra effort.

Ingredients for Chipotle Crusted Chicken

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides the main structure for the dish, boneless and skinless for even cooking.

• All-Purpose Flour, Tortilla Chips: Provide crispy exterior and textural crunch, choose high-quality corn tortilla chips for best flavor.

• Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika, Chili Powder, Salt, Pepper: Create a robust and complex flavor profile for the chicken coating.

• Eggs, Milk: Help the coating adhere to the chicken, whole milk provides richer binding.

• Mayonnaise, Chipotle Pepper, Lime Juice: Create a creamy and tangy sauce with smoky heat and bright citrus notes.

• Cilantro, Lime Wedges: Fresh herbs and citrus to brighten the dish and add final flavor complexity.

Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken with Chipotle Sauce – How to Prepare

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400°F.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and give it a quick spray of cooking oil.

If you’re using an air fryer, warm it to 375°F.

Step 2: Create Flavor Stations

• First bowl: Flour playground with garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper
• Second bowl: Egg and milk whisking zone
• Third bowl: Crushed tortilla chip coating arena

Step 3: Dress the Chicken

• Roll in seasoned flour, shake off the excess
• Dive into egg mixture, ensuring total coverage
• Press firmly into tortilla chip crumbs, creating a crunchy armor

Step 4: Cook to Crispy Perfection

Oven Method:

Slide chicken onto the prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping midway, until golden and fully cooked.

Air Fryer Method:

Arrange chicken in a single layer in the basket.

Fry for 12-15 minutes, turning once, until beautifully crisp.

Step 5: Whip Up Chipotle Magic Sauce

• Mayonnaise
• Chipotle pepper
• Lime juice
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika

Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.

Step 6: Serve with Flair

Drizzle or dunk chicken in the zesty chipotle sauce.

Garnish with fresh lime wedges and sprinkle of chopped cilantro.

Enjoy your crispy, spicy creation!

Crusted Chicken Tips With Chipotle Kick

• Crush tortilla chips into fine, even crumbs for a consistent, crispy coating that adheres perfectly to chicken without large chunks falling off.
• Pat chicken dry before breading to ensure the flour and egg mixture stick well, creating a crunchier exterior that seals in moisture.
• Let chicken rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and prevent dry, overcooked meat.
• Adjust chipotle sauce heat by adding more or less chipotle pepper, or swap with different hot sauces to match personal spice preferences.
• Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free tortilla chips to make the recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.

Chicken with Chipotle Sauce That Stores for Zesty Reheat

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months.
• Warm chicken at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying. Place on a wire rack for crispiest results.
• Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the tortilla chip coating soggy. If necessary, use short 30-second intervals at 50% power, checking texture between bursts.

Flavorful Bites For Chipotle Chicken

• Perfectly Paired Flavor Companions
• Craft a Zesty Margarita Cocktail: Blend tequila, fresh lime juice, and triple sec to match the dish's spicy, citrusy chipotle sauce and complement the crispy tortilla chip coating.
• Spark a Fresh Corn Salad: Toss grilled corn kernels with lime, cilantro, and a light chili powder sprinkle to echo the chicken's southwestern flavor profile and provide a cooling contrast.
• Whip Up Cilantro-Lime Rice: Cook white rice with fresh cilantro, lime zest, and a touch of butter to create a light, bright side that balances the chicken's rich, crunchy texture.
• Create Creamy Avocado Slaw: Mix shredded cabbage with diced avocado, lime juice, and a hint of jalapeño to add creamy, tangy notes that harmonize with the chipotle sauce's smoky heat.

Chicken with Chipotle Tortilla Crust Options

• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat flour with rice flour or cornstarch, using gluten-free tortilla chips for coating. Ensures celiac and gluten-sensitive individuals can enjoy the crispy chicken.
• Vegetarian Option: Swap chicken with cauliflower or tofu steaks, maintaining the same tortilla chip coating and chipotle sauce techniques. Perfect for plant-based eaters seeking a protein-packed alternative.
• Spicy Kick Version: Incorporate additional cayenne pepper into the flour mixture and mix extra chopped chipotle peppers into the sauce for heat lovers. Amplifies the zesty flavor profile for those craving intense spiciness.
• Low-Carb Modification: Use crushed pork rinds instead of tortilla chips for coating, reducing carbohydrate content. Replace milk with heavy cream in egg wash to maintain a keto-friendly approach.

FAQs

• What is the purpose of the three-bowl breading station?

The breading station ensures a crispy, flavorful coating by creating layers: flour adds seasoning and helps egg stick, eggs bind the coating, and crushed tortilla chips provide a crunchy exterior that adds texture and Mexican-inspired flavor.

• Can I use different types of tortilla chips?

Yes, you can experiment with different flavors like nacho cheese, ranch, or spicy chips to create unique variations. Just crush them finely to ensure even coating on the chicken.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and white and juicy on the inside with no pink areas.

• Is there a way to make this recipe gluten-free?

Substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch, and ensure your tortilla chips are gluten-free. This will maintain the crispy texture while making the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.

Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken with Chipotle Sauce Recipe

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4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy tortilla chip crusted chicken delivers a spicy Mexican-inspired crunch that elevates weeknight dinner from ordinary to extraordinary. Chipotle sauce adds bold, smoky heat, creating a perfect balance of texture and flavor you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup crushed tortilla chips
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs

Coating and Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Cooking and Sauce Ingredients:

• Cooking spray or oil
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt)
• 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper, lightly greasing the surface. Set the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C), or preheat an air fryer to 375°F for alternative cooking.
2. Create three separate preparation stations: one with seasoned flour mixture combining garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper; another with whisked eggs and milk; the final station with finely crushed tortilla chips.
3. Transform chicken pieces by first coating thoroughly in seasoned flour, ensuring complete coverage while shaking off any excess powder.
4. Submerge the floured chicken into the egg mixture, guaranteeing an even, wet layer that will help the tortilla chip coating adhere effectively.
5. Carefully press each egg-coated chicken piece into the crushed tortilla chips, rotating and pressing to create a uniform, crispy exterior that fully encases the meat.
6. For oven preparation, arrange the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet, positioning pieces to allow even heat circulation. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to ensure consistent golden coloration and complete internal cooking.
7. Alternative air fryer method involves placing chicken pieces in a single layer within the basket, cooking for 12-15 minutes and flipping once to achieve maximum crispiness.
8. Simultaneously craft the chipotle sauce by whisking mayonnaise with finely chopped chipotle pepper, fresh lime juice, garlic powder, and smoked paprika, adjusting seasonings to personal preference.
9. Once chicken achieves a perfect golden-brown crunch, plate immediately and accompany with the vibrant chipotle sauce, garnishing with fresh lime wedges and chopped cilantro for a burst of color and flavor.

Notes

• Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of chipotle pepper, using milder peppers, or substituting with hot sauce for heat control.
• Create a gluten-free version by replacing wheat flour with almond or rice flour and using gluten-free tortilla chips.
• Boost nutrition by using whole wheat tortilla chips or adding ground flaxseed to the chip coating for extra fiber and omega-3s.
• Experiment with alternative dipping sauces like ranch, avocado cream, or Greek yogurt-based sauce to vary flavor profiles and cater to different taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 430
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 750mg
• Fat: 24g
• Saturated Fat: 4g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 120mg