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    Home » Chicken & Turkey » Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken Strips

    Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken Strips

    Mar 29, 2016 · by Valentina · 39 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken Strips are succulent, gluten-free and are served with Honey-Lime Crema -- a refreshing, zesty sauce. This will always draw a crowd and is an excellent party snack.Tortilla Crusted Baked Chicken Strips Recipe and red bowl of Zesty Lime Crema in a small wooden box

    Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken Strips are a fantastic gluten-free lunch or dinner. They're loved by kids and adults alike.

    Kids sure do love chicken strips -- or, as they often call them, chicken fingers.

    This recipe is loved by all because of the added spices and the use of tortilla chips. It's more interesting and more flavorful than typical chicken strips.

    Small pile of Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken Strips on parchment

    How to Make Them

    These are so easy, that they might just become you're go-to chicken recipe.

    • Cut chicken breasts into strips and then press them into a mixture of crushed tortilla chips and delicious spices.
    • Drizzle tortilla chip crusted chicken with a little olive oil and bake in the oven.

    Tortilla Crusted Chicken tenders on parchment paper on baking sheet

    What's in the Sauce?

    Honey-Lime Crema is the perfect accompaniment to the chicken. It's also super easy as all you have to do is mix all of the ingredients together.

    • Crema Mexicana (You can use sour cream as a substitute -- see recipe notes.)
    • lime
    • honey
    • salt, pepper, chili powder

    That's it! 

    (Detailed instructions are below.)

    Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken Strips in a wooden basket iwth parchment, orange bowl with sauce and lime

    I hope you enjoy these Spiced Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken Strips with Honey-Lime Crema as much as I do.

    More gluten-free crusted chicken recipes:

    • Air Fryer Gluten-Free Lemon Fried Chicken
    • Gluten-Free Quinoa Crusted Chicken
    • Gluten-Free Cracker Crusted Chicken

    This is not a sponsored post.

    Several tortilla crusted chicken strips in smal wood crate

    Spiced Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken Strips

    Valentina K. Wein
    Tortilla Chip Crusted Chicken Strips are succulent, gluten-free and are served with Honey-Lime Crema -- a refreshing, zesty sauce. This will always draw a crowd!
    4.91 from 10 votes
    Print
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 12 mins
    Total Time 32 mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 6
    Calories 534 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the chicken

    • 2 pounds chicken breasts
    • 4 cups corn tortilla chips
    • 2 teaspoons chile powder, mild to medium, depending on how much heat you like
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • freshly ground black pepper
    • drizzle of olive oil

    For the Honey-Lime Crema

    • 1 cup Crema Mexicana*
    • zest of 2 small limes (plus extra for garnish if desired)
    • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
    • 1 teaspoon honey
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
    • chile power for garnish if desired

    Instructions
     

    For the chicken

    • Preheat the oven to 375°F, and adjust a rack to the center. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
    • On a clean, dry surface, use a boning or paring knife to remove any excess fat from the chicken breasts, and then cut them into 1 to 2-inch strips, lengthwise. Set aside.
    • Add the chips to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Blend until the chips are very tiny, coarse pieces. Add the chile powder, cumin and salt and blend until they're evenly incorporated. (If you don't have a food processor, you can add the chips to a heavy-duty, zip-lock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Then mix in the spices.)
    • Add the chip mixture to a very large plate, and season both sides of the chicken strips with salt and pepper. Then place them, a couple at a time, on the chip mixture, pressing them down firmly. Flip them over and firmly press down again. You want both sides very well coated with the mixture. Place them on the parchment-lined baking sheet as you work, continuing until all of the strips are done.
    • Drizzle lightly with olive oil and place in the preheated 375°F oven just until they're cooked through, about 12 minutes. If some of the chicken strips are thicker, they'll likely need to be flipped over, for an additional few minutes of baking time.

    For the creama

    • While the chicken is baking, add the crema, lime zest, lime juice and honey to a small bowl and mix. Season to taste with salt and pepper), and then spoon this into a small serving bowl, or 6 tiny individual bowls. If desired, garnish the crema with a bit more lime zest and a sprinkle of chile powder.
    • Serve!

    Notes

    Crema Mexicana is available in most grocery stores, but if you can't find it, you can mix ½ cup sour cream with ½ cup heavy cream.
    Calorie count is only an estimate.
    Keywords great for a crowd, chicken for family dinner
    Have you tried this recipe?I'd love to see it on Instagram! Tag me at @cookingontheweekends or leave a comment & rating below.

     

     

    Save

    More Chicken & Turkey Recipes

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    • Sausage Chicken Cassoulet
    • Pumpkin Pasta Sauce with Sage and Sausage
    • Chipotle Tequila Lime Chicken

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sylvie

      March 30, 2016 at 1:18 am

      Looks super crispy. love that the coating is gluten-free!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 11:05 am

        Thanks, Sylvie! My oldest son (12) has Celiac Disease, so I'm always experimenting with new GF recipes. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry

      March 30, 2016 at 2:30 am

      I really, really, really want to make this for my kids tonight.

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 11:04 am

        I hope you try the recipe. Both my kids love it! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Melissa

      March 30, 2016 at 3:32 am

      Oh my gosh I want to eat that right now!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 11:04 am

        Do it! 😉

        Reply
    4. Sarah

      March 30, 2016 at 3:42 am

      These look and sounds absolutely amazing! I can't wait to try this recipe out - I'm positive they'll be a hit!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 11:04 am

        Hope you love it, Sarah. Thank you!

        Reply
    5. Felesha Bell

      March 30, 2016 at 4:07 am

      How delicious do these look?!?! The grandkids would love them!!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 11:03 am

        My kids loved it, Felesha. Hope it's a hit! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious

      March 30, 2016 at 7:45 am

      Yeah, I really, REALLY want that for dinner. Every bit of it.

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 11:03 am

        It's yummy, Dorothy. (IMHO, of course!) 😉

        Reply
    7. Rosalia

      March 30, 2016 at 8:29 am

      That looks and sounds great!
      That is what I am going to make for Dinner tonight?
      Thank you ! ?

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 11:02 am

        Yay! I hope you love it as much as I do, Rosalia. Thanks for visiting my site! XOXO

        Reply
    8. Deb|EastofEdenCooking

      March 30, 2016 at 2:14 pm

      An amazing chicken recipe! I'm thinking these chicken strips would be wonderful with a big green salad for scrumptious dinner.

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 8:44 pm

        I agree, Deb. Perfect with some leafy greens!

        Reply
    9. Sophia @Veggies Don't Bite

      March 30, 2016 at 2:37 pm

      Love that the crisp is the tortilla chips!! I thought I was the only obsessed chip fan. LOL! It gives the perfect crunch!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 8:44 pm

        Thanks, Sophia! 😀

        Reply
    10. Tamara

      March 30, 2016 at 2:50 pm

      I don't typically eat chicken strips, but your post and photos really make me want to! And kudos for the encouragement in being authentic... I find that is so important!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 8:45 pm

        Thanks so much, Tamara. I so appreciate it. 🙂

        Reply
    11. Diana

      March 30, 2016 at 3:26 pm

      I love how you added tortilla chips! The tenders look super crispy and yummy!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 8:46 pm

        Thanks so much Diana!

        Reply
    12. Bella B(xoxoBella)

      March 30, 2016 at 3:50 pm

      This is total comfort food! That crema sounds so good!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 8:46 pm

        Comforting indeed! 🙂 Thank you.

        Reply
    13. Sherri @ Watch Learn Eat

      March 30, 2016 at 4:10 pm

      I definitely need to try this! The kids (and the parents) would love these! So excited that they're gluten free!! Awesome recipe! 🙂

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 8:47 pm

        Thank you, Sherri. Hope your kids like them as much as mine do. 🙂

        Reply
    14. Jolina - The Unlikely Baker

      March 30, 2016 at 5:16 pm

      I totally agree on authenticity. It's exhausting to be otherwise isn't it? Now on to these delicious chicken strips. They look gorgeous. I wish I had them for dinner tonight! Unfortunately I already had dinner 🙁 But I just pinned this for later!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 30, 2016 at 8:47 pm

        Yay! Thanks for pinning! 🙂

        Reply
    15. David

      April 02, 2016 at 2:11 pm

      I think these would make a wonderful appetizer for a cocktail party. Especially here in the Southwest! I'm hosting a small cocktail party for my alma mater in early May, just after Cinco de Mayo. Don't you think these would be perfect on the buffet table?

      Reply
      • valentina

        April 02, 2016 at 4:23 pm

        Why yes I do! And yo can certainly make them as small as you'd like for easier handling -- you know, with a cocktail in one hand, a napkin, etc. Sounds fun! Thanks, David! 🙂

        Reply
    16. Caroline

      February 27, 2019 at 6:08 pm

      This is such a fun idea, and I can imagine gives both a great flavor and crunch. The crema sounds tasty too.

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 06, 2019 at 5:10 pm

        It does! Thank you Caroline. 🙂

        Reply
    17. Taylor Kiser

      February 27, 2019 at 6:45 pm

      Love everything about these chicken strips! That Honey-Lime Crema sounds ahhmazing!

      Reply
    18. Sarah

      February 27, 2019 at 7:00 pm

      These look delicious and kid friendly!!

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 06, 2019 at 5:10 pm

        They are. 🙂

        Reply
    19. Lisa Bynum

      February 27, 2019 at 7:41 pm

      This would be an EXCELLENT way to use up all those little tortilla chip crumbs that are left at the bottom of the bag. Thank you for this idea.

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 06, 2019 at 5:11 pm

        I know, right!? Thank you for checking it out. 🙂

        Reply
    20. Jere Cassidy

      February 27, 2019 at 7:49 pm

      I am always looking for a new chicken recipe and I love the Mexican flavors of this dish. and the crema sounds super tasty. This is a must try.

      Reply
      • valentina

        March 06, 2019 at 5:11 pm

        Thanks for the kinds words Jere. I hope you try and love the recipe. 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Valentina, certified chef, owner, recipe developer and photographer at Cooking on the Weekends. I'm also a mom of two boys and a Los Angeleno. I use seasonal whole foods to create unique and comforting recipes for casual entertaining.

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