Potato Chip Chicken

It’s hard to beat the flavor and crispy texture of fried chicken. But the mess that accompanies deep-frying—let alone figuring out what to do with the leftover fryer oil—often makes it a special-occasion meal at best. What if you could achieve crispy chicken without all that muss and fuss? With this potato chip chicken recipe, you can.

A coating made from crushed potato chips and bold seasonings ensures this chicken is crispy and flavorful. With a cooking time of just 25 minutes, it’s easy to make on a weeknight. And, just so you know, the delicious potato chip-crusted chicken makes fantastic picnic food because it’s good warm and cold.

Ingredients for Potato Chip Chicken

• Chicken breasts: Versatile boneless, skinless chicken breasts are perfect for this chicken with potato chips recipe. Look for chicken breasts that are about 6 ounces each. You can always cut larger pieces into smaller portions and pound them out to even thickness.
• Seasonings: A bold combination of paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne powder ensures the flavor of this potato chip-crusted chicken is anything but boring.
• All-purpose flour: Flour helps remove moisture from the chicken’s surface and provides a layer to which the egg can adhere.
• Eggs: Two beaten eggs act as a binder to ensure the crushed potato chips stick to the chicken.
• Potato chips: Crispy and salty potato chips replace bread crumbs in this oven-baked fried chicken recipe. Use your favorite or try any of the top potato chip brands. For a classic potato chip chicken flavor, use regular potato chips. Or, play around with the flavor profile and try flavored potato chips. Barbecue-flavored chips would be a great place to start.

Directions

Step 1: Make the spice seasoning

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, combine the paprika, salt, pepper, garlic powder and cayenne. Sprinkle half the spice mixture on all sides of the chicken breasts. Stir the other half of the spice mixture into the flour.

Step 2: Coat the chicken

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Coat the chicken breasts in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then dip each chicken breast into the beaten egg and, finally, dredge in crushed potato chips.

Step 3: Bake the chicken

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Bake the chicken on parchment- or foil-lined baking sheets until the internal temperature reaches 165°, 25 to 30 minutes. Let the chicken rest for five minutes before serving.

Editor’s Tip: Do not skip the resting stage, as it will ensure the breading doesn’t slide off when you cut into the cooked chicken. Resting also helps seal in the juices.

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Potato Chip Chicken Variations

• Say cheese: Add a tablespoon of finely grated Parmesan to the crushed potato chips for a little cheesy goodness.
• Make ’em dippers: Potato chip-crusted chicken begs for a sauce. Use your favorite condiments—barbecue sauce, ketchup or mustard are all yummy options—or make a dip from scratch. Some favorite chicken dippers include homemade ranch dressing, sticky honey sauce and mustard barbecue sauce.
• Go for extra-crispy: For an extra-crispy topping, place the cooked chicken breasts under the broiler for a minute or two to make the breading extra-crunchy. Just be sure to watch the chicken carefully—it can go from extra-crispy to extra-burnt in a flash.

How to Store Potato Chip Chicken

Let the potato chip chicken cool and store it in an airtight container. To prevent the breading from sticking, place parchment or waxed paper between the layers of chicken. It will last up to four days in the refrigerator.

How do you reheat potato chip chicken?

To prevent soggy breading, the best way to reheat chicken with potato chips is in the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and place the chicken in a single layer on the wire rack. Bake for five minutes, then flip the chicken breasts over and bake for another five minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°.

Alternately, you can reheat potato chip-crusted chicken in an air fryer. Lightly spray both sides of the chicken with nonstick cooking spray, then reheat in an air fryer preheated to 350°. Flip every three minutes, and continue air-frying until the internal temperature reaches 165°.

Potato Chip Chicken Tips

JOSH RINK FOR TASTE OF HOME

Can you make potato chip chicken with other types of chicken?

This potato chip chicken recipe also works with boneless, skinless chicken thighs. Thighs take longer to cook, so expect to bake them in the oven for about 40 to 50 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 170° to 180°. You can also use bone-in chicken breasts or chicken thighs, but they will take an extra 5 to 10 minutes to cook. If you enjoy eating chicken skin, you can always leave it on; otherwise, skinless is the way to go. (Eating chicken skin isn’t as bad for you as you think!)

Can you make potato chip chicken in an air fryer?

Absolutely! To make potato chip chicken in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 400°. Then air-fry the chicken for 13 to 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you will likely need to air-fry the chicken breasts in several batches. For a quicker cook time, cut the chicken breasts into fingers to make air-fryer chicken tenders or into smaller bite-sized pieces to make air-fryer chicken nuggets.

What can you serve with potato chip chicken?

Potato chip chicken pairs well with all your barbecue or picnic favorites—think baked beans, creamy coleslaw, classic macaroni salad or southern potato salad. A veggie-packed fresh green salad or lime-honey fruit salad would also hit the spot.