Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Juicy Inside, Golden Outside
Make incredibly crispy, juicy air fryer chicken tenders using this simple breaded recipe. They are a healthier alternative to deep frying and perfect for quick weeknight dinners or snacks.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Total Time: 22 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Cooking spray (or 1 tablespoon oil for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken tender strips completely dry with paper towels. This step helps the coating stick and promotes crispiness.
- Set up the breading station: Place the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a shallow dish and mix well. In a second shallow dish, place the beaten eggs. In a third shallow dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat the chicken: Dredge each chicken strip first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it completely into the egg wash. Finally, press the strip firmly into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes.
- Arrange in the basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the breaded tenders in a single layer in the basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
- Spray the tops: Lightly spray the tops of the coated tenders with cooking spray or brush with a tiny amount of oil for extra golden color.
- Air fry: Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through the cooking time.
- Check for doneness: The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden brown and crisp.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the tenders again halfway through cooking before flipping them.
- If you want a gluten free air fryer chicken tenders option, substitute the flour with almond flour and the panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- These are great for air fryer meal prep; reheat them in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 380°F to restore crispness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 tenders
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 110