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Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 89 reviews
  • Author: Harry
  • Total Time: 27 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

Crispy and flavorful air-fryer chicken tenders made with tender chicken strips coated in a seasoned panko breadcrumb mixture and cooked to golden perfection. These chicken tenders are quick to prepare, healthier than traditional frying, and perfect served with your favorite dipping sauces like BBQ, ranch, or ketchup.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 pound chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch strips
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt (such as Diamond Kosher), plus more for seasoning
  • Black pepper, to taste

Breading

  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 2 teaspoons sweet paprika

Cooking

  • Nonstick cooking spray

Optional for Serving

  • Lemon wedges
  • BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or ketchup for dipping

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Air Fryer: Heat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit if preheating is recommended for your model to ensure even and quick cooking of the chicken tenders.
  2. Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season all sides of the chicken strips thoroughly with kosher salt and black pepper. For enhanced flavor, you may season and let them rest uncovered in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours.
  3. Prepare the Egg Wash and Breading: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and Dijon mustard until smooth. In another bowl or shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs with sweet paprika, 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt, and black pepper to taste, mixing well.
  4. Bread the Chicken Tenders: Working one piece at a time, dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture allowing any excess to drip off, then roll it thoroughly in the seasoned panko mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating adheres well. Place the breaded tenders on a large plate.
  5. Cook in the Air Fryer: Lightly spray both sides of the breaded chicken tenders with nonstick cooking spray to help crisping. Arrange as many tenders as will fit in your air fryer basket in a single even layer, avoiding overcrowding. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is fully cooked inside. If your air fryer basket is small, cook in batches and tent the cooked tenders with foil to keep warm.
  6. Serve: Serve warm with optional lemon wedges and your choice of dipping sauces such as BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or ketchup for a delicious meal or snack.

Notes

  • For a stronger paprika flavor, you can increase the amount of sweet paprika to 3 teaspoons.
  • Make sure the chicken strips are evenly sized for uniform cooking.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure crispy coating; cook in batches if needed.
  • Leftover chicken tenders can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer to restore crispiness.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute the panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 12 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken strips, easy chicken recipe, healthy fried chicken, gluten free option, quick chicken tenders

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Find it online: https://dishesbyharry.com/air-fryer-chicken-tenders-recipe/