Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer, Chicken, Main Dish, Recipes, Seasonal, Summer

These air fryer chicken tenders are a fast and tasty way to enjoy crispy, golden, and juicy chicken tenders without the deep frying. This easy recipe is sure to become a go-to for a quick, flavorful meal everyone will love!

Check out some other delicious chicken recipes, like Popcorn chicken or crispy chicken cutlets!

AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS

Looking for a healthier, quicker way to enjoy crispy, golden chicken tenders? Look no further than these incredibly easy air fryer chicken tenders! The air fried chicken tenders give you the perfect balance of a crunchy outside and a juicy inside in every bite. Whether you’re craving a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing snack, these crispy chicken tenders are sure to become a staple in your kitchen.

WHAT YOU NEED-

Chicken– You can choose between chicken tenderloins or chicken breasts—just cut the breasts into tenderloin-sized pieces. I love using pre-cut chicken tenderloins for easy prep!
Flour– All-purpose flour helps give you a crispy coating on your chicken tenders.
Eggs– Fresh eggs are used to bind the breading together, so be sure to use fresh eggs for the right texture.
Panko Crumbs– The final coating on the chicken tenders is crispy panko crumbs! This gives you the ultimate crispy tenders, so good! You can also mix panko crumbs with regular breadcrumbs for a mix.
Flavor– To season the chicken, I use the classics, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and chili powder. You can use any of your favorite seasonings to season these chicken tenders!

HOW TO MAKE AIR FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS

This easy chicken tender recipe gives you crispy, golden tenders without the need for deep frying. This kid-friendly recipe is going to be loved by both kids and adults!

Start by trimming any excess fat from the chicken.
Start by preparing each bowl. Combining everything that goes into bowl 1, bowl 2, and bowl 3.
Dip each chicken tender into each bowl, starting with bowl 1 and ending with bowl 3. Make sure that the chicken is fully coated and dredged.
Repeat this with all the tenders and place the coated chicken onto a plate, tray, or rack.
Spray the air fryer basket with baking spray and add tenders, do NOT overload.
Cook until the chicken is crispy and golden. Flip halfway through the cooking time.
Serve with your favorite sides and dipping sauces!

DIPPING SAUCE IDEAS-

You can’t enjoy these crispy chicken tenders without the right dipping sauces! Here are some delicious sauces to serve these tenders with:

CHICKEN TENDER VARIATIONS

These crispy chicken tenders are delicious just as they are, but also delicious when tossed in sauce like boneless wings. Here are some chicken tender flavor ideas:

BBQ– Toss these crispy wings in honey BBQ, hot BBQ or any other of your favorite barbecue sauces for a delicious barbecue chicken tender.
Buffalo– Spice it up and toss the chicken in buffalo wing sauce.
Asian Zing– One of my favorite sauces for chicken is the BWW Asian Zing sauce, toss the tenders in this sauce for the perfect tangy and spicy kick.
Lemon Pepper– Use the lemon pepper sauce from my lemon pepper chicken wings and toss your tenders in the sauce for a zesty flavor.
Hot Honey– Drizzle hot honey over the tenders or use my hot honey sauce from the hot honey chicken wings.
Garlic Parmesan– Toss the tenders in the popular garlic parmesan sauce, another delicious idea!

FREEZING CHICKEN TENDERS

Skip buying the premade frozen tenders and make your own! I love to double or triple the recipe and make a bunch to freeze later.

Allow the chicken tenders to completely cool.
Once cool, transfer the chicken tenders to a freezer safe container or freezer bag.
Freeze for up to 3-4 months!

ENJOYING FROZEN TENDERS-

When you are ready to enjoy frozen chicken tenders, just pop out the amount desired and heat and enjoy! Here are some reheating methods:

Bake– Add the tenders to a baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes.
Air Fry– Cook the frozen tenders at 400°F for 6-7 minutes, or until warmed through!
Microwave– Pop them into the microwave to thaw and warm, if you are in a hurry.
Toaster Oven– If you have a toaster oven, toss them in the toaster oven and toast until reheated.

QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:

How do I know if my tenders are done cooking?

Cooked chicken will have an internal temperature of 165°F. You can also check by cutting a chicken tender and ensure there is no pink!

Are panko crumbs the same as regular breadcrumbs?

No, panko crumbs are bigger, flakier pieces, and made from crustless bread. While regular breadcrumbs are finer and usually made with a variety of breads.

Why do my chicken tenders look dry?

To avoid the chicken from being dry, you want to make sure you spray them with some baking spray. Chicken tenders can also seem dry because they are overcooked.

How to store air fryer chicken tenders?

Once the chicken tenders are cooled, store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Or freeze, instructions above.

How to reheat chicken tenders?

To reheat leftover tenders, throw them in the oven, microwave, toaster oven, or air fryer until warmed through.

SERVING IDEAS

Pair with the right sides for the perfect lunch or dinner! Here are some classic sides to enjoy this chicken recipe with:

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