Crispy Potato Chip Chicken Recipe

Crunchy Chicken Magic: Crispy Potato Chip Recipe Hack

Weeknight dinners demand a knockout chicken recipe that crispy potato chip chicken delivers with pure magic.

Crunchy, flavorful, and surprisingly simple, this dish turns ordinary chicken into a crowd-pleasing sensation.

You’ll love how the salty, crisp potato chips create an irresistible coating that locks in moisture.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of tender meat and satisfying crunch.

The golden-brown exterior gives way to juicy chicken that will have everyone asking for seconds.

With minimal ingredients and maximum flavor, this recipe transforms a classic protein into something extraordinary.

Prepare to be the dinner hero with this crowd-winning chicken that makes mealtime delightful.

How to Coat Chicken in Chips and Bake It Crisp

  • Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a sizzling 400F and grab a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for a crispy chicken adventure.

  • Crush and Prep

Smash those potato chips into tiny pieces using a rolling pin or food processor. Mix flour with zesty spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in one bowl. Whisk eggs and milk in another bowl.

  • Create Crispy Chicken Magic

Dunk each chicken piece into the flour mixture, give it a quick egg bath, then press firmly into the crushed chip crumbs, making sure every inch gets a crunchy coating.

  • Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange the chip-covered chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Give a light spritz of cooking spray or drizzle some melted butter for extra flavor. Slide into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the chicken turns a gorgeous golden brown and reaches 165F inside.

  • Serve and Devour

Pull out your crispy creation and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce – ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce will take this dish to the next level!

Chip Flavor Swaps for a Fun Chicken Twist

  • Use kettle-cooked or thick-cut potato chips for extra crunch and robust flavor that adheres better to chicken.
  • Prepare coated chicken pieces up to 4 hours in advance and refrigerate before baking to enhance flavor absorption and maintain coating.
  • Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour to accommodate gluten-sensitive diets without compromising taste.
  • Experiment with different chip flavors like jalapeño, barbecue, or salt and vinegar to transform the chicken's taste profile and add exciting dimensions.
  • Substitute potato chips with crushed pork rinds or almond flour mixed with parmesan cheese for a keto-friendly chicken coating that delivers incredible crispiness.

Serve Potato Chip Chicken for Kids or Parties

  • Flavor Fusion Platter: Arrange chicken pieces on a large wooden board with small ramekins of different dipping sauces for a restaurant-style presentation that encourages sharing and sampling.
  • Picnic Perfect Combo: Pack cooled chicken pieces with creamy coleslaw, potato salad, and a crisp green salad for an outdoor meal that balances crunchy textures and fresh flavors.
  • Sandwich Transformation: Slice chicken and layer between toasted brioche buns with lettuce, tomato, and extra crushed potato chips for added crunch, creating a gourmet chicken sandwich experience.
  • Quick Family Meal: Serve chicken with roasted seasonal vegetables and quick-cooking rice or mashed potatoes for a complete dinner that takes minimal extra preparation time.

Keep That Crunch Even After Cooling

  • Store leftover chicken in airtight containers, ensuring maximum crispiness for up to 3 days. Separate pieces with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Revive crispy coating by using an air fryer at 350F for 3-4 minutes. Oven method works too – spread chicken on a wire rack to maintain crunchiness and prevent sogginess.
  • Make coating mixture ahead of time and store in sealed containers. Chip crumbs can be prepared 2-3 days in advance, keeping them fresh and ready for quick meal assembly.
  • Freeze uncooked, coated chicken pieces on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags. When ready to cook, thaw overnight in refrigerator and bake directly from chilled state, adding 5-7 minutes to cooking time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 170 kcal

Servings: 4

Potato Chip Chicken Ingredient Rundown

For Dry Coating:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Essential base for creating a crispy, even layer that helps eggs and chips stick perfectly.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds subtle, aromatic flavor without overwhelming the chicken's natural taste.
  • Onion Powder: Provides gentle, sweet undertone that complements the crispy coating.
  • Black Pepper: Introduces mild heat and sharp flavor to enhance overall seasoning.
  • Paprika: Brings warm, slightly smoky color and depth to the coating.
For Crunchy Layer:
  • Potato Chips: Delivers ultimate crispiness and unexpected texture, transforming ordinary chicken into a gourmet experience.
For Binding:
  • Eggs: Acts as a crucial glue that helps chips adhere perfectly to chicken's surface.
  • Milk: Softens egg mixture, creating smoother binding for better chip attachment.
For Chicken Base:
  • Chicken Pieces: Select fresh, high-quality cuts with consistent thickness for even cooking.
For Optional Finishing:
  • Cooking Spray: Helps achieve extra golden, crisp exterior.
  • Melted Butter: Provides rich flavor and promotes beautiful browning.
For Serving:
  • Honey Mustard Sauce: Classic tangy companion.
  • Ranch Sauce: Creamy, herbal dipping option.
  • BBQ Sauce: Sweet and smoky alternative for adventurous palates.

Tools That Make Crunchy Chicken a Snap

  • Large bowl: Essential for mixing flour and seasonings.
  • Small bowl: Perfect for whisking eggs and milk.
  • Food processor or resealable bag: Great for crushing potato chips into fine crumbs.
  • Whisk: Helps blend eggs and milk smoothly.
  • Baking sheet: Provides even cooking surface for crispy chicken.
  • Wire rack (optional): Creates extra crispiness for chicken coating.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Cooking spray or pastry brush: Helps achieve golden, crispy exterior.
Print
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Crispy Potato Chip Chicken Recipe

Crispy Potato Chip Chicken Recipe


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4.8 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Crispy potato chip chicken brings together salty, crunchy perfection in one irresistible dish. Home cooks can elevate weeknight dinners with this simple yet spectacular coating that delivers maximum flavor and satisfying crunch.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
  • 2 cups crushed potato chips (use your favorite flavor)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp paprika (optional)
  • Cooking spray or melted butter (for extra crispiness)

Instructions

  1. Preparation Setup: Calibrate oven to 400°F (200°C), positioning rack in center position and lining baking surface with parchment paper or wire rack for optimal crispiness.
  2. Coating Creation: Pulverize potato chips into fine fragments using food processor or sealed bag technique. Merge flour mixture with aromatic seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, ground pepper, and paprika. Simultaneously whisk eggs and milk in separate vessel to create binding liquid.
  3. Chicken Transformation: Methodically encase each chicken piece through three-stage coating process – first dusting with seasoned flour, then immersing in egg mixture, finally pressing firmly into crushed chip fragments ensuring complete coverage.
  4. Culinary Execution: Transfer chip-encrusted chicken onto prepared baking surface. Enhance exterior crispness by lightly misting with cooking spray or drizzling melted butter. Roast in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until exterior achieves golden-brown radiance and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C), indicating thorough cooking.
  5. Serving Suggestion: Present immediately alongside complementary dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ranch, or tangy barbecue sauce for enhanced flavor experience.

Notes

  • Crush potato chips coarsely for maximum crunch and better coating adhesion. Use a rolling pin or pulse briefly in a food processor to maintain chip texture.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check chicken’s internal temperature, ensuring it reaches 165F exactly for safe, juicy results without overcooking.
  • Pat chicken dry before dredging to help flour and chip coating stick better. Shake off excess flour between each coating stage to prevent clumpy layers.
  • Experiment with different potato chip flavors like sour cream, barbecue, or jalapeño for unique taste profiles. Gluten-free chips work great for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 500 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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