If you’re looking for a family-friendly dinner that’s incredibly easy, crowd-pleasing, and just plain fun, Potato Chip Chicken is your new weeknight hero. This irresistible recipe turns humble chicken breasts into a crunchy, golden delight by coating them in a flavorful crust of crushed potato chips. Whether you love it classic or with a twist (hello, BBQ or sour cream & onion chips!), every bite delivers a satisfying crunch and juicy interior. Best of all, Potato Chip Chicken is endlessly adaptable and makes kids and grown-ups equally happy at the dinner table.

Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity. You only need a few pantry and fridge staples, but each one has a job in maximizing crunch, moisture, and flavor. Here’s how each ingredient does its part:
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are the perfect canvas for this dish, soaking up flavor and staying juicy under the crispy coating.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the egg and chip coating stick like glue to the chicken for guaranteed crispiness.
- Eggs: The magic binder! Beaten eggs keep the chip layer firmly in place for every bite.
- Crushed potato chips: The co-star of Potato Chip Chicken, providing signature crunch and salty flavor you can customize with your favorite chip variety.
- Garlic powder: Adds a subtle savory kick that boosts the chip flavor.
- Paprika: Gives gentle warmth and a little color to the coating, so it looks as good as it tastes.
- Black pepper: For a hint of heat and sharpness to complement the other seasonings.
- Nonstick spray or melted butter: Ensures that gloriously crisp finish by helping the crust brown up in the oven.
How to Make Potato Chip Chicken
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Equipment
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high heat is key to getting that perfectly crisped exterior. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup, then set a wire rack on top. That rack keeps the chicken elevated so the air can circulate and crisp up every side—no soggy bottoms here!
Step 2: Flatten Your Chicken Breasts
If your chicken breasts are on the thick side or uneven, give them a quick pound with a meat mallet or rolling pin. You want them to be a uniform thickness, about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. This helps everything cook evenly and keeps your Potato Chip Chicken juicy throughout.
Step 3: Set Up the Breading Station
This step is surprisingly fun—think of it as your very own assembly line. You’ll need three shallow bowls: one with the flour, one with your beaten eggs, and the last with the crushed potato chips, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper all mixed together. Give the chip mixture a good stir to distribute the spices evenly.
Step 4: Bread the Chicken
Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then dredge each one in the flour, knocking off any excess. Next, dip the chicken in the beaten eggs, allowing the extra egg to drip off. Now comes the best part: press each chicken breast into the potato chip mixture, pressing gently to coat every nook and cranny. Lay each piece on the prepared wire rack as you go.
Step 5: Add the Final Touch and Bake
Lightly spray each breast with nonstick cooking spray or drizzle with melted butter for an extra golden finish. Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Your Potato Chip Chicken is ready when it’s deeply golden and a thermometer reads 165°F in the thickest part. Let the chicken rest for five minutes before serving so all those tasty juices stay where they belong—inside the meat!
How to Serve Potato Chip Chicken

Garnishes
Presentation matters just as much as taste! Top your Potato Chip Chicken with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives for a pop of color. If you love a little zing, add a bit of lemon zest or a wedge on the side. A drizzle of your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch or honey mustard, is also a fan-favorite finishing touch.
Side Dishes
This chicken goes with almost anything, but for a truly satisfying meal, pair it with creamy mashed potatoes, tangy coleslaw, or a crisp garden salad. For a comfort-food feast, serve alongside mac and cheese—or keep things vibrant with roasted veggies or sweet corn on the cob.
Creative Ways to Present
Let your creativity shine! Try slicing the Potato Chip Chicken into strips for dunk-worthy chicken fingers or using it in wraps with crunchy lettuce and tomatoes. For parties, cut into bite-sized chunks and spear with toothpicks for an easy appetizer that always disappears fast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Have some leftovers? No problem. Place cooled Potato Chip Chicken in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The coating will stay pleasantly crisp, especially if you reheat it the right way.
Freezing
If you want to prep ahead, freeze the cooked, cooled chicken on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Potato Chip Chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. To enjoy later, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
For the best results, reheat Potato Chip Chicken in a 375°F oven for about 10-15 minutes. This brings back the crunch. Avoid microwaving if you can; it can make the coating less crisp, but if you’re in a hurry, microwave on low for a minute or two.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are just as delicious and bring a slightly richer flavor. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as thighs may be a bit thicker or fattier.
What’s the best way to crush the potato chips?
The easiest method is to seal the chips in a zipper bag and crush them with a rolling pin or your hands. You want a mix of finer crumbs and some slightly larger bits for that unforgettable crunch on your Potato Chip Chicken.
Can I use different chip flavors for variety?
Definitely. This recipe is practically begging for you to experiment! Try BBQ, sour cream & onion, cheddar, or even jalapeño chips for a fun flavor twist. Each type Main Course.
How do I know when the chicken is cooked through?
The surest sign is an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the chicken. The coating should also be golden brown and crisp. Let it rest a few minutes before slicing for the juiciest results.
Is there a gluten-free version?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend, and choose gluten-free potato chips. Potato Chip Chicken is incredibly adaptable for many dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to try this Potato Chip Chicken in your own kitchen—it’s crunchy, fun, and destined to become an instant family classic. However you customize it, this recipe will bring smiles to the table and make dinnertime a breeze. Happy cooking!
Print
Potato Chip Chicken Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Potato Chip Chicken recipe offers a fun twist on a classic favorite, creating a crispy and flavorful coating using crushed potato chips. Baked to golden perfection, these chicken breasts are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 4 cups crushed potato chips (plain or flavored)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Nonstick cooking spray or melted butter for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and set a wire rack on top.
- Prepare the chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness if needed.
- Set up breading station: Create a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with crushed potato chips mixed with garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken: Dredge each chicken breast in flour, dip in the egg, then press into the crushed chips, coating completely. Place coated chicken on the wire rack.
- Bake: Lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray or drizzle with melted butter. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp of 165°F). Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use flavored chips like BBQ or sour cream & onion for a fun twist.
- Great served with ranch, honey mustard, or ketchup for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg