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Enjoy this childhood favorite – crispy air fryer chicken tenders that offer that irresistible crunch with every bite. Simple to prepare, marinate, bread, and air fry to golden perfection!
Ditch the greasy takeout and enjoy the same crispy, juicy chicken tenders at home with your air fryer. Made with minimal oil, this recipe is a healthier alternative to deep-fried options, yet the strips of chicken retain their crunch. Quick and easy, these air fryer chicken tenders will have you coming back for more, whether you enjoy them just with a dipping sauce or alongside salad, potatoes, and more.
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Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders: You can use pre-cut raw chicken tenders (also called chicken tenderloins/goujons) or cut them yourself from chicken breasts.Â
- Buttermilk: To tenderize the chicken with its acidity.
- Eggs: To help the breading adhere.
- Breadcrumbs: I use a combination of golden breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs for the perfect, super-crispy coating. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs if necessary.
- Seasonings: garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Instructions
Prepare the chicken tenders: If you’ve purchased pre-cut chicken tenders, skip the cutting step! Otherwise, first, use paper towels to pat the chicken dry. Use a sharp knife to slice the chicken in half horizontally and create two thin cutlets. Then, slice the cutlets into 1-inch-long chicken fingers.
Next, in a medium-large bowl, combine the buttermilk and spices (garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper), and mix well. Then add the chicken tenders and toss them until well (and evenly) coated. Cover the dish and refrigerate it to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes (if you’re low on time), up to 8 hours.
Bread the chicken tenders: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF/200ºC and spray the basket with cooking oil (I used olive oil). In a wide shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. In another wide shallow bowl, mix well the breadcrumbs, panko, paprika, salt, and pepper. Arrange your dredging station – place the marinated chicken next to the bowl with the breadcrumbs, and that next to the bowl with the eggs.
First, dip the marinated chicken tenders in the breadcrumbs. Then dredge them in the egg mixture. Then press them again into the breadcrumbs on all sides, shaking off any excess – this will make them extra crispy.
Air fry: Place the breaded tenders into the air fryer basket in a single layer with a bit of space in between. Cook in multiple batches if necessary. Air fry at 400ºF/200ºC for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway. Note that if your pieces are thicker or larger, you may need to air fry the chicken strips for 14-16 minutes.
To ensure they’re safely cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached 165ºF/74ºC. Then, remove the air fryer chicken tenders from the basket, serve them with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Dipping sauce suggestions
- Honey mustard
- BBQ sauce
- Buffalo Wing Sauce
- Sweet and sour sauce
- Garlic Aioli
- Ranch dressing
- Ketchup or mayo
Storage instructions
- To store: Allow the tenders to cool (for no longer than 2 hours), then transfer them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat: You can reheat them in the microwave (in 20-30 second increments), or air fry them at 350ºF/175ºC until heated and crispy.
- To freeze: You can freeze chicken tenders cooked or uncooked (then cook from frozen). Flash freeze them, not touching, on a tray until solid (about 2-3 hours), then transfer them to a freezer-safe Ziplock and into the freezer for up to 3 months. Cook them from frozen OR, for the pre-cooked meat, thaw them overnight first.
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If you try this air fryer chicken tenders recipe, let me know how it goes in the comments below. I’d appreciate a recipe card rating and would love to see your recipe recreations – tag me on Instagram @Alphafoodie!
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 oz chicken tenders or chicken breast to cut into smaller pieces
Chicken Marinade
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Breading
- 2.64 oz breadcrumbs 1/2 cup
- 1 oz panko 1/2 cup
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs for the egg wash
Instructions
Prepare the tenders
- If you've purchased pre-cut chicken tenders, skip this step!Use paper towels to pat the chicken dry. Use a sharp knife to slice the chicken in half horizontally and create two thin cutlets. Slice the cutlets into 1-inch-long chicken pieces.
- In a medium-large bowl, combine the buttermilk and spices (garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper), and mix well.
- Add the chicken tenders and toss them until well (and evenly) coated.
- Cover the dish and refrigerate it to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes (if you're low on time), up to 8 hours.
Bread the tenders
- Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF/200ºC. Spray the basket with cooking oil.
- In a wide shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. In another wide shallow bowl, mix well the breadcrumbs, panko, and spices (paprika, salt, and black pepper).
- Arrange your dredging station – place the marinated chicken next to the bowl with the breadcrumbs, and that next to the bowl with the eggs.
- Dip the marinated chicken tenders in the breadcrumbs. Then dredge them in the egg mixture. Then press them again into the breadcrumbs on all sides, shaking off any excess.
Air fry
- Place the breaded tenders into the air fryer basket in a single layer with a bit of space in between. Cook in multiple batches if necessary.
- Air fry at 400ºF/200ºC for 10-12 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway.If your pieces are thicker or larger, you may need to air fry for 14-16 minutes.To ensure they’re safely cooked, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature has reached 165ºF/74ºC.
- Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer, serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
Storage instructions
- Store: Allow them to cool (for no longer than 2 hours), then transfer them to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.Reheat: Reheat them in the microwave (in 20-30 second increments), or air fry them at 350ºF/175ºC until heated and crispy.Freeze: Freeze the chicken tenders cooked or uncooked (then cook from frozen). Flash freeze them, not touching, on a tray until solid (about 2-3 hours). Transfer them to a freezer-safe Ziplock and into the freezer for up to 3 months. Cook them from frozen OR, for the pre-cooked meat, thaw overnight first.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Best air fryer chicken tender recipe I’ve tried by far! Followed the recipe exactly but I think I had a lot more chicken than the recipe called for, so I had to make double/triple the bread crumb mixture, but it got so crispy and was delicious. Thank you so much! 🙂
Thank you for your comment, Dani. Glad you liked it! 🙂