If you’re looking for a fun way to shake up chicken night, this Tortilla Crusted Chicken has you covered! It’s crunchy, full of flavor, and so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Plus, who doesn’t love a dinner that feels a little fancy but takes hardly any effort?
Note: Last updated on April 28, 2025, to include new tips on storing, reheating, and serving.
A Walk Down Memory Lane: Why This Recipe Means So Much
This is a throwback for me! I used to treat my husband (at the time, boyfriend) to tortilla-crusted chicken dinners when we were undergraduate students. We lived across the street from each other, and it was an easy and inexpensive date night dinner to put together for college students —and it still is! The difference now is that I serve a little homemade salsa with it, and we have a little bundle of joy to share some with.
Tortilla-crusted chicken is fun to make, especially if you’re having a bad day. It involves crushing up chips and pounding the chicken thin. So, if you need to de-stress and feel like chowing down, this is the recipe for you!
MISE EN PLACE
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s prep our ingredients. You’ll need:
- 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds
- 5-6 handfuls Tortilla Chips
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper (to taste)
NOW THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING WE NEED, LET’S GET STARTED!
RECIPE STEPS TO MAKE TORTILLA CRUSTED CHICKEN
STEP 1: Prep the Tortilla Chips
I like to crush the chips in a gallon-sized freezer bag. The bag will later serve as a vessel for coating the chicken. I find using a rolling pin to crush the chips most comfortable. To get the chips broken down into even-sized crumbs, I roll one side of the bag a few times, then flip the bag over and roll again. I repeat this process until the tortilla chips are broken into a panko-like consistency.
STEP 2: Prep the Chicken
Next, you’ll want to prep the chicken. I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken pieces that I cut down myself. Two large chicken breasts can be split in half to create four servings. I recommend pounding the chicken pieces out to make the baking process quicker. This also tenderizes the chicken and is another fun time to relieve stress! You can use a rolling pin, mallet, or a heavy pan to do this.
STEP 3: Dredge & Bake
Dredging chicken can be pretty simple if you prep your station first. Remember, mise en place means “everything in place” before you start cooking. For more info, visit my post here.
You’ll want to set up a little dredging station that includes a bowl of flour, a bowl of egg wash, your bag of crushed tortilla chips, and a prepared baking sheet to place your dredged chicken pieces at the end.
Be sure to season your chicken lightly and the flour with salt and pepper before you begin. You’ll also mix the spices in the tortilla chips. Note: I don’t add salt or pepper to the tortilla chips because the store-bought chips are usually pretty salty.
When preparing the egg wash, I like to add a splash of water to the eggs as I whisk them. This loosens the egg slightly. It doesn’t take much, just a splash.
When ready, you’ll work with one piece of chicken at a time. You’ll first coat the chicken entirely in the seasoned flour, dip it in the egg wash, and then place it in the bag of tortilla chips. Close the bag and shake to coat the chicken in the chip pieces —just like Shake’ n Bake! Remove the chicken from the bag and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining three pieces of chicken and then bake until golden and cooked through.
Serving Suggestions
Once the chicken is baked, serve it warm on a platter. It is fun to serve the chicken with optional toppings for your guests. Any toppings you would pair with tacos or fajitas go wonderfully with this dish: sour cream, cheese, salsa, limes, cilantro, etc.
If you’re up for making homemade salsa, check out my recipe for Roasted Tomato Salsa.
Here are a few additional ideas to round out your meal:
- Fresh Salad: A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the crispy chicken beautifully.
- Rice or Quinoa: Serve over cilantro-lime rice or fluffy quinoa for a hearty meal.
- Dipping Sauces: Try ranch, chipotle mayo, or a zesty avocado crema.
- Tacos or Wraps: Slice and tuck the chicken into tortillas with your favorite toppings and/or sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: Pair with roasted sweet potatoes, zucchini, or corn for a colorful plate.
Storing and Reheating
Once cooled, store any leftover tortilla-crusted chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain the crispy texture, reheat it in a 375°F oven or an air fryer for about 4 – 5 minutes, until warmed through.
Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can cause the coating to become soggy.
All in All
This has been one of my favorite dishes over the last decade. It brings back so many fun memories! Christian and I always reminisce about funny college stories while eating this dish. I hope this becomes one of your favorites as well.
Do you have a dish or meal that evokes fond memories? If so, please share it in the comments. I’d love to hear!
Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later!!!
Tortilla Crusted Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast about 1-1 1/2 pounds
- 5-6 handfuls Tortilla Chips
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
Prepare Tortilla Chips
- Crush the tortilla chips in a gallon-sized freezer bag.
- Mix in cumin, onion powder, and smoked paprika. If desired, add salt and pepper.
Prepare Chicken & Dredging Bowls
- Split chicken breasts in half. Pound chicken with a heavy skillet or rolling pan until about 1 inch thick. Pat chicken dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl or plate, season flour lightly with salt and pepper.
- In another bowl or a small baking dish, whisk together the egg with a splash of water.
- Prepare a rimmed baking sheet by spraying it lightly with your favorite cooking spray.
Dredge Chicken & Bake
- One piece of chicken at a time dredge the chicken in the following order: coat with flour, dip in egg wash and then coat with tortilla chips. Place the chicken on the baking sheet and repeat this process with the remaining 3 pieces of chicken.
- Bake the chicken at 375 degrees F until cooked through. This will take about 20-25 minutes. Flip the chicken halfway through.
- When chicken is cooked, serve on a platter with desired toppings. Optional: Garnish with chopped cilantro.
