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Air fryer chicken tenders served with multiple dipping sauces

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

These crispy and juicy air fryer chicken tenders are easy to make and packed with flavor. Made with simple ingredients and no deep-frying, they are perfect for a quick meal, snack, or appetizer. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Air Fryer – Essential for cooking the tenders to crispy perfection.
  • Mixing Bowls (3) – One for flour mixture, one for beaten eggs, and one for breadcrumbs.
  • Tongs – For handling and flipping the chicken tenders.
  • Whisk – To beat the eggs evenly.
  • Measuring Cups & Spoons – For accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Baking Sheet or Plate – To hold coated tenders before air frying.
  • Cooking Spray or Oil Mister – Helps achieve extra crispiness in the air fryer.
  • Instant-Read Thermometer – Ensures chicken is cooked to a safe temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  • Paper Towels – For patting the chicken dry before coating.

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb 450g chicken tenders
  • 1 cup 120g all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup 120g panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup 50g grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Cooking spray or olive oil spray

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it preheat for 5 minutes.
  • Prepare Breading Stations:
  • In one bowl, mix flour with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
  • In a second bowl, beat the eggs.
  • In a third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese (if using).
  • Coat the Chicken:
  • Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
  • Dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it's fully coated.
  • Press it into the breadcrumb mixture, coating evenly.
  • Air Fry the Tenders:
  • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  • Arrange chicken tenders in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary).
  • Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray for extra crispiness.
  • Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  • Serve: Let rest for 2 minutes before serving. Enjoy with dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.

Notes

For extra crispiness, double-coat the tenders by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps.
Spice it up by adding cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the egg mixture.
If using chicken breasts, slice them into strips before coating.
To make gluten-free, use almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
Details
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Main Course, Appetizer
Method: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American
Diet: High Protein
Keywords
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Nutrition (Per Serving)
Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
Calories: ~280
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 120mg
Keyword Air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, healthy chicken tenders, easy air fryer recipes, chicken tenders recipe, air fryer chicken strips, kid-friendly chicken recipe