Name: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 52 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken tenders; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional); 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 1/2 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 2 large eggs; olive oil spray

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If you’re on a quest for that perfect blend of crunchy coating and juicy chicken, look no further than this Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe. Incredibly simple yet impressive, this dish takes classic comfort food and gives it a modern, healthier twist. Every tender is golden and crisp thanks to the magic of the air fryer—no deep-frying required. Whether you’ve got hungry kids at the table or just crave a satisfying bite, you’ll love how easy and delicious these homemade chicken tenders are from the very first try.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

This isn’t a recipe that calls for fancy ingredients. Every item on the list is carefully chosen to bring flavor, moisture, and crunch. Here’s how each one plays a role in making your Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe utterly irresistible:

Chicken tenders: These tender cuts cook quickly and stay juicy, but you can also use sliced chicken breasts in a pinch.
Buttermilk: Not only does it tenderize the chicken, but it also gives a subtle tang that makes the meat extra flavorful.
Hot sauce (optional): Just a splash spices up the marinade without overwhelming the chicken—a little kick is always welcome!
All-purpose flour: This base layer ensures the breading sticks and helps create that crispy crust.
Panko breadcrumbs: The secret to unbeatable crunch; panko stays lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs.
Paprika: Adds beautiful color and a touch of smokiness to the coating.
Garlic powder: Provides a savory depth, infusing every bite with subtle flavor.
Onion powder: Balances the seasoning mix with sweetness and warmth.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and ensures each bite is perfectly seasoned.
Black pepper: Adds gentle heat and rounds out the seasoning blend.
Eggs: Act as the perfect glue, helping the breading stick and creating that cohesive, golden crust.
Olive oil spray: Delivers a brilliant crispy finish without extra oil—just a mist does the trick!

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by gathering your chicken tenders and tucking them into a cozy marinade of buttermilk and, if you love a bit of heat, a dash of hot sauce. Let them bathe in the fridge for at least 30 minutes—overnight if you’re planning ahead! This not only infuses the chicken with flavor but also ensures every bite is melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Stations

Now it’s time to build the perfect coating. In one shallow dish, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a second dish, beat your eggs until smooth. Add panko breadcrumbs to a third dish. Prepping your stations in advance makes the breading process smooth, organized, and even a bit fun!

Step 3: Dredge and Coat

Working one piece at a time, lift each tender from its flavorful soak, letting the excess drip off. Dredge first through the seasoned flour, then dip lovingly into the beaten eggs, and finally give it a generous roll in the panko. This trio of coatings is what creates that signature crunch you crave in an Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe.

Step 4: Spray and Arrange

For the best air-fried crunch, lightly spray both sides of your breaded chicken tenders with olive oil spray. Place them in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket—crowding leads to steaming, so give them a little room to breathe and crisp up beautifully.

Step 5: Air Fry to Golden Perfection

Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let the magic happen for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway. The result: irresistible golden-brown chicken strips that are super crispy on the outside and tender inside. Check that the thickest part reaches 165°F for perfect doneness, then get ready to dig in!

How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

Garnishes

For that finishing touch, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or a little smoked paprika over the tenders just before serving. A squeeze of lemon not only brightens the flavors but also looks gorgeous on the plate.

Side Dishes

Pair your Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe with crispy fries, a simple salad, or roasted veggies for a satisfying meal. Don’t forget the dipping sauces—honey mustard, ranch, and spicy ketchup all work deliciously here.

Creative Ways to Present

For a playful presentation, stack the tenders on a platter with little cups of sauces, or lay them atop a waffle for a brunch-inspired treat. You can even slice them to top a colorful chopped salad or pile them into wraps or sandwiches for easy, crowd-pleasing lunches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover chicken tenders, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They’ll keep their flavor and a surprising amount of crunch, making for quick and tasty snacks or lunches.

Freezing

You can freeze cooked tenders by placing them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then storing them in a freezer bag. This makes it a breeze to pull out as many as you need for a speedy meal—just reheat directly from frozen!

Reheating

For the best results, reheat your tenders in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes until crisp and warmed through. This restores their texture far better than the microwave, letting you enjoy your Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe all over again.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?

Absolutely! Just slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips. They’ll work beautifully in your Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe and still deliver that signature juicy bite.

How do I make these tenders gluten-free?

Simply swap the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs for your favorite gluten-free versions. The texture will remain just as crisp and tasty, so everyone can enjoy this dish.

What’s the best dipping sauce for these chicken tenders?

That’s completely up to your taste! Classic ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or even a garlicky aioli complement the tenders perfectly. Try a few different sauces for a fun, customizable meal.

Can I marinate the chicken for less than 30 minutes?

While a full half hour (or longer) provides the most flavor and tenderness, even a quick 15-minute soak will improve your Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe. Just be aware the chicken may not be as juicy if you rush.

My tenders aren’t getting crispy. What can I do?

Make sure you’re not overcrowding the basket and that you’ve given each tender a light spray of oil. For extra crunch, add another mist of oil when flipping halfway through cooking, and always preheat your air fryer for best results.

Final Thoughts

Once you try this Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe, it’s bound to become a go-to favorite. With its crispy, golden outside and juicy center, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s quick enough for weeknights and fun enough for family gatherings. Give it a spin and see how easy it is to make your own homemade chicken tenders that are better than anything you can order out!

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 52 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and so flavorful. Marinated in buttermilk, coated in a seasoned flour mixture and panko breadcrumbs, then air fried to perfection, these chicken tenders are a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Tenders:

1 pound chicken tenders
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

Breading:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 large eggs
olive oil spray

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Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, marinate the chicken tenders in buttermilk and hot sauce for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator.
Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In another dish, beat the eggs. In a third dish, add the panko breadcrumbs.
Coat the Chicken: Remove each chicken tender from the marinade, dredge in the flour mixture, dip into the beaten eggs, and coat in panko breadcrumbs. Lightly spray both sides with olive oil.
Air Fry: Preheat to 400°F, arrange tenders in a single layer, cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F.
Serve: Hot with dipping sauce.