Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Crispy And Healthy Wellplated Com

From the ages of approximately 4 to 14, chicken tenders (and their first cousin, chicken nuggets) were, to me, the pinnacle of culinary perfection. I ordered them at every drive-through, tugged the end of my mom’s grocery cart towards the freezer aisle hoping she’d grab a box, and if we ate out for a “fancy” dinner (ahem, Chili’s) I’d order them off the appetizer menu as my main dish. These days, I rarely stop for fast food, but on a recent road trip, we pulled through a drive-through and for whatever reason, I HAD to have chicken fingers. I consummated the experience by dunking them into my childhood dipping sauce of choice, honey (it’s also the inspiration behind my baked Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders). They were SO GOOD. Childhood Erin had a point. Freshly enamored, I pulled out my new go-to weapon for making healthy versions of deep-fried favorites, my air fryer. Watch out golden arches, you have been beat! Crunchy and crispy outside, tender inside, and completely dippable just like Air Fryer Shrimp, these healthy air fryer chicken tenders have officially replaced the frozen and fast-food versions in my heart.

How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

The key to making the chicken tenders crispy is a combination of regular and panko breadcrumbs.

The regular breadcrumbs adhere easily to the chicken, so you get a complete coating. Some recipes call for air fryer chicken tenders with flour instead, but I find breadcrumbs yield a better breading that is more reminiscent of the frozen variety (in a good way).The larger panko breadcrumbs add essential texture and crunch.

I’ve suggested some light seasoning that gives the chicken tenders flavor without losing the simplicity of their appeal. Feel free to switch them up to suit your and your family’s preferences.

The Ingredients

Chicken Tenders. Beloved by children and adults alike, chicken tenders are a delicious, quick-cooking option for lean protein. You can find pre-cut chicken tenders at most grocery stores.

Eggs. Helps the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken tenders. Panko Breadcrumbs. Panko provides a lighter breadcrumb coating that crisps up perfectly in the air fryer. Whole Wheat Breadcrumbs. Regular breacrumbs help fully coat the chicken tenders in breading, filling in any gaps that the Panko might leave behind. Paprika. Adds a mild, savory earthiness. Garlic Powder. For necessary garlicky goodness. Salt + Pepper. The essentials.

The Directions

Storage Tips

To Store. Refrigerate chicken tenders in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F, in the air fryer, or (if you are desperate and don’t care about texture) in the microwave. To Freeze. Lay cooked chicken tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer the frozen tenders to an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

Air Fryer. This is the one I own and love! It works wonders with all kinds of chicken, including Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.Instant Read Thermometer. The best way to tell when your tenders are done. Tongs. Ideal for flipping the chicken tenders.

In my model at 400 degrees F (400 degrees F is the best temperature at which to air fry chicken), the chicken tenders cook in 7 to 8 minutes.

Barbecue Sauce. My recipe for homemade BBQ sauce is delish!Ketchup. The classic. Honey Mustard. Try the honey mustard dipping sauce from my Pecan Crusted Chicken.Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip. This lightened-up version tastes just as good as the original. Honey. My childhood fave! It’s sticky and sweet. Buffalo Sauce. An easy way to enjoy buffalo chicken flavor. This is Ben’s fave (he also loves these Buffalo Chicken Meatballs and Air Fryer Chicken Wings)!Sweet Chili Sauce. Sweet, tangy, and a little spicy. (Try these Korean Air Fryer Chicken Wings if you enjoy Asian-inspired sauce flavors.)Basil Dipping Sauce. Try the light and fresh basil dipping sauce from my Zucchini Fries. Sweet and Sour. It’s almost like having takeout. (Sweet and sour fans, don’t miss my Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken.)