These air-fried chicken tenders are a hit in our household! Crisp, hot, and golden with your go-to sauce on the side!
Wow. We Adore These.
Everyone in my home rates these air fryer chicken tenders 5 stars. We sincerely love them.
Having chicken tendies for dinner is truly a remarkable meal plan:
- a tray filled with hot, crunchy, perfectly coated chicken tenders
- everyone selects their preferred sauce
- any assorted veggies lingering in the fridge (a delightful salad, frozen mixed vegetables, or even just a platter of raw veggies, which we commonly do!)
Top sauce suggestions include: honey mustard, gochujang sauce (highly recommend), yum yum sauce, or just the usual store-bought options – ranch, ketchup, etc. My husband has been mixing ranch with hot sauce lately and he’s onto something. It’s so delicious.
I’m not usually the kind to get excited about the whole dredging and dipping process, but I recently acquired these pans, and they are AMAZING for this. I have the larger size. Additionally, I utilize them for storing the breaded chicken before baking, or for any leftovers, should there be any. They are simply a GREAT quality product. They give me the feeling of having my life organized.
And regarding leftovers, I’ve truly enjoyed them 1-2 days later with a quick reheat in the air fryer. Re-crisped and golden once more.
Hope you enjoy these (it’s tough not to). 🙂
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Watch Me Prepare This Recipe
Air Fried Chicken Tenders
Total Time:
25 minutesYield:
6 servings (2-3 tenders per person) 1x
Description
These air-fried chicken tenders are a hit in our household! Crisp, hot, and golden with your go-to sauce on the side!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Instructions
- Prepare your dipping stations! 1: Mix together the flour, salt, and ranch seasoning. 2: Allow the milk and vinegar to rest for 5 minutes (this makes a “buttermilk”). Combine it with the eggs and hot sauce; whisk to blend. 3: Mix the breadcrumbs with the seasoning blend.
- Flatten Chicken Tenderloins. Gently press down on each chicken tenderloin a few times on a cutting board with the flat side of a knife (refer to video). They should be slightly flattened or fanned out.
- Batter Up! Coat each chicken tenderloin in flour; shake off the extra. Dip them in the buttermilk mixture; let any excess drain. Then roll in the breadcrumbs, flipping and gently pressing a few times until entirely coated. Set aside and continue with all the chicken tenderloins.
- Arrange in Air Fryer. Fit as many as possible in the air fryer, keeping them in a single flat layer (mine can usually handle 6 at once). Generously spray with avocado oil spray until lightly and evenly moistened – this aids in achieving that golden brown, fried appearance.
- Cook and Serve: Air fry at 400 degrees for 7-9 minutes. Aim for them to be golden on the outside, and 165-175 degrees internally. Serve with your preferred sauce! SO delicious!
Notes
Oven Directions: We have tested these in the oven and they turn out great; bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees and broil for a minute or two if you prefer more browning. Using a wire rack helps prevent sticking and allows air circulation all around. If not using a rack, only spray the top side of each tender with oil spray so the bottom won’t become soggy.
Seasonings: If you don’t have the seasoning mixes or prefer not to use them, simply add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a sprinkle of freshly ground pepper to each of the flour and breadcrumb mixtures; it will still taste fantastic. However, I truly enjoy maximum flavor, and I think using both ranch seasoning and rotisserie chicken seasoning was such a flavorful choice, so that’s my favored method!
Hot Sauce: This is optional; it’s solely for added flavor and a touch of zing, but it won’t be spicy! I promise. My kids wouldn’t allow me to post this if the chicken tenders were spicy. 😉
Breadcrumbs: I have tried various types of breadcrumbs, but I really prefer Trader Joe’s breadcrumbs! They are slightly chunkier than standard plain breadcrumbs but still finer than panko. In the images here, I actually used a mix of half Trader Joe’s and half Progresso plain breadcrumbs because I ran out of the ones from TJ’s – the mixed texture worked wonderfully!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, chicken tenders recipe, homemade chicken tenders, air fryer recipe
More Fantastic Air Fryer Recipes
**Crisp and Tasty Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe**
If you’re seeking a healthier option for fried chicken tenders without losing that delightful crunch, look no further than your reliable air fryer. This kitchen appliance has transformed how we cook, providing a fast and straightforward way to create crispy, juicy chicken tenders with significantly less oil. Here’s a step-by-step guide for making wonderfully crispy air fryer chicken tenders that will have everyone wanting seconds.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 pound of chicken tenders
– 1 cup of all-purpose flour
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup of breadcrumbs (Panko for that extra crunch)
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
– Cooking spray or a light application of olive oil
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Chicken:**
– Start by patting the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. This ensures that the coating sticks well to the chicken.
2. **Set Up the Breading Station:**
– In a shallow dish, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
– In another bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.
– Put the breadcrumbs in a third dish.
3. **Coat the Chicken:**
– Dip each chicken tender in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.
– Then, dip the floured chicken into the scrambled eggs, making sure it’s completely coated.
– Finally, press the chicken into the breadcrumbs, ensuring a uniform coating.
4. **Preheat the Air Fryer:**
– Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for around 5 minutes. This helps achieve the ideal crispy texture.
5. **Cook the Chicken:**
– Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil to avoid sticking.
– Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket, ensuring none touch or overlap. You may need to work in batches based on the size of your air fryer.
– Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
6. **Serve and Enjoy:**
– After cooking, take the chicken tenders out and let them rest for a few minutes. This rest period helps redistribute the juices, keeping the chicken moist.
– Serve with your favorite dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ranch, or barbecue sauce.
**Tips for Success:**
– **Even Coating:** Ensure that each piece is uniformly coated with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs for the best crunch.
– **Avoid Overcrowding:** Cook in batches if necessary to allow hot air to circulate around the chicken for even cooking.
– **Customize Seasonings:** Adjust the spices according to your preference. Add cayenne pepper for a spicy flavor or Italian herbs for a herby touch.
With this straightforward recipe, you can enjoy crispy, flavorful chicken tenders without the guilt of deep frying. The air fryer not only simplifies cooking but also makes it healthier, making it an essential tool in any kitchen. Relish these delightful chicken tenders as a snack, appetizer, or main dish, and enjoy the delightful crunch in every bite.