  We develop a theoretical framework to match transverse momentum dependent
parton distribution functions (TMD PDFs) onto chiral effective theory
operators. In this framework the TMD PDF is expressed as a convolution of TMD
hadronic distribution functions, which describe fluctuations of initial states
into intermediate hadrons in chiral perturbation theory, and short distance
matching coefficients, which are the TMD PDFs of intermediate hadrons in the
chiral limit. The various limits of the matching condition are explored and an
operator product expansion is applied to the high energy TMD matching
coefficients, allowing them to be written in terms of the collinear valence
PDFs of intermediate hadrons. As an example, we calculate the isovector TMD
hadronic distribution functions for the proton at leading order in the chiral
expansion.
