Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer (From Scratch!)
Homemade Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer are juicy and moist, with the best crunchy crust! This recipe makes a quick and easy meal!
Ingredients
- non-stick cooking spray
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken tenders
- 2 large eggs lightly beaten
Breading ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Place beaten egg in a shallow bowl. In a separate shallow bowl, place all breading ingredients and stir to combine.
- One at a time, place chicken tenders in the egg, and flip to coat. Then press each tender into the breading mixture and flip to coat on the opposite side. Lightly shake to remove any excess. Place on a plate and spray each side with olive oil spray.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
- Place chicken tenders in an even layer (do not stack). Cook for 10 minutes, flipping the tenders with tongs half-way through. The chicken should be crispy on the outside and cooked through to the center, with an internal temperature of 165°F. Add additional time if necessary, 1 minute at a time until cooked through. Repeat for all remaining batches.
- Serve warm with honey mustard or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
This dish was cooked in a 5.8 quart Cosori air fryer, and in 2 batches (necessary to avoid stacking the tenders). If you have a smaller or larger air fryer, you may need to adjust cooking times.
Also, if your chicken tenders are larger or smaller than normal, your cooking times will vary. Be sure to check that they are cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F. Adjust cooking time as needed.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-5 days in an airtight container.
To freeze, place cooked chicken tenders on a baking sheet, spaced apart, and put them in the freezer until they begin to freeze (about 30 minutes). Remove from the baking sheet and transfer to a freezer bag. Cooked breaded chicken strips freeze well for 2-3 months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 319cal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 833mg | Sugar: 2g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 208mg | Iron: 2mg