These air-fried chicken tenders are a go-to favorite at our place! Crispy, hot, and golden, paired with your choice of dipping sauce!
Wow. We Adore These.
Everyone in my home gives these air fryer chicken tenders a perfect score. We truly all enjoy them.
Chicken tenders for dinner is truly a fantastic meal plan:
- a plate of sizzling, crunchy, perfectly breaded chicken tenders
- everyone chooses their preferred dipping sauce
- any leftover veggies from the fridge (a fun salad, frozen veggies, or simply a plate of raw veggies, which we frequently do!)
Some favorite sauces to consider: honey mustard, gochujang sauce (highly recommend), yum yum sauce, or the usual store-bought options – ranch, ketchup, etc. My husband has been mixing ranch with hot sauce lately, and it’s a game changer. It’s delicious.
I’m not usually someone who gets pumped about the entire dredging and dipping process, but I recently acquired these pans and they are FANTASTIC for it. I have the large size. Additionally, I utilize them to keep the breaded chicken before baking or for leftover chicken, if any is left. They are simply a HIGH-QUALITY PRODUCT. They make me feel organized.
On the topic of leftovers, I really appreciate these 1-2 days later with a quick reheat in the air fryer. Crisped and golden once more.
Hope you adore these (I mean, it’s tough not to). 🙂
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Watch Me Prepare This Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Total Time:
25 minutesYield:
6 servings (2-3 tenders per person) 1x
Description
These air-fried chicken tenders are a go-to favorite at our place! Crispy, hot, and golden, paired with your choice of dipping sauce!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Instructions
- Prepare your dipping stations! 1: Blend the flour, salt, and ranch seasoning. 2: Let the milk and vinegar combine for 5 minutes (you’re creating “buttermilk”). Add it to the eggs and hot sauce; whisk until blended. 3: Mix the breadcrumbs with the seasoning blend.
- Flatten Chicken Tenderloins. Gently press each chicken tenderloin on a cutting board using the flat edge of a knife (see video). You want them to be slightly flattened or spread out.
- Batter Up! Dredge each chicken tenderloin in the flour; shake off the excess. Dip in the buttermilk mixture; allow excess to drip off. Then coat in the breadcrumb blend, flipping and gently pressing a few times until fully covered. Set aside and repeat with all the chicken tenderloins.
- Place in Air Fryer. Arrange as many as will fit in the air fryer, keeping them in a single layer (mine can usually fit 6 at a time). Generously spray with avocado oil spray until the surface is lightly and uniformly moistened with oil – this aids in achieving that evenly golden brown, fried appearance.
- Cook and Serve: Air fry at 400 degrees for 7-9 minutes. They should be golden brown outside, with an internal temperature of 165-175 degrees. Serve with your preferred sauce! SO delicious!
Notes
Oven Directions: We tested these in the oven, and they work fantastically; 10 minutes at 400 degrees followed by a minute or two on broil for extra browning. Baking them on a wire rack will help avoid sticking and allow air to circulate. When not using a rack, simply coat the top side of each tender with the oil spray to keep the bottom from becoming soggy.
Seasonings: If you lack the seasoning blends or prefer not to use them, just add 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a pinch of freshly cracked pepper into both the flour and breadcrumb mixtures for great flavor. I LOVE maximum flavor, and using both the ranch seasoning and the rotisserie chicken seasoning was a brilliant flavor choice, so that’s how I prefer it!
Hot Sauce: This is optional; it adds flavor and a little zing, but it’s not spicy! I assure you. My children wouldn’t allow me to share this if the chicken tenders were spicy. 😉
Breadcrumbs: I have tried various breadcrumbs, but I really favor Trader Joe’s breadcrumbs! They’re a bit chunkier than standard plain breadcrumbs, yet still finer than panko. In the photos, I was using half Trader Joe’s and half Progresso plain breadcrumbs because I ran out of my TJ’s ones – 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 Absolutely Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
Title: Irresistibly Crisp Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Introduction:
Chicken tenders are a cherished classic, ideal for both children and adults. When perfectly cooked, they provide a crunchy exterior with a moist interior. Utilizing an air fryer allows you to achieve this delightful texture without an excess of oil, making them a healthier choice compared to traditional frying methods. Here’s a detailed guide to crafting irresistibly crisp air fryer chicken tenders.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound of chicken tenders
– 1 cup of all-purpose flour
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup of breadcrumbs (panko for heightened crispiness)
– 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon of onion powder
– 1 teaspoon of paprika
– 1 teaspoon of salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
– Cooking spray
Instructions:
1. **Prep the Chicken:**
– Dry the chicken tenders using paper towels. This promotes better adhesion of the coating.
2. **Prepare the Breading Station:**
– In one shallow dish, place the flour.
– In another bowl, whisk the eggs.
– In a third dish, mix the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. **Bread the Chicken:**
– Coat each chicken tender in the flour, shaking off any excess.
– Dip it into the whisked eggs, ensuring complete coverage.
– Finally, roll the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, gently pressing to ensure the breadcrumbs stick well.
4. **Preheat the Air Fryer:**
– Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for around 5 minutes.
5. **Cook the Chicken Tenders:**
– Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
– Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket. Avoid overcrowding for even cooking.
– Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray for enhanced crispiness.
6. **Air Fry the Chicken:**
– Cook the chicken tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. They should be golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. **Serve and Relish:**
– Take the chicken tenders out of the air fryer and let them rest briefly.
– Serve with your preferred dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.
Conclusion:
Air fryer chicken tenders are a quick and hassle-free meal that does not sacrifice taste or texture. With minimal oil, they are a healthier option that still delivers the satisfying crunch everyone enjoys. Ideal for a weeknight dinner or as a party appetizer, these tenders are bound to be a hit. Enjoy this guilt-free pleasure with your favorite sides and dips!