Description
Prepare delightfully crispy chicken tenders using your air fryer for a healthier take on a classic comfort food. These tenders are golden, juicy, and incredibly crunchy, making them a perfect quick meal or satisfying snack. Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is a family favorite that delivers on flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Cooking spray or 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare your breading station by setting up three shallow dishes. In the first dish, combine the all-purpose flour. In the second dish, whisk the two large eggs until well beaten. In the third dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until evenly combined.
- Pat the chicken tenderloins completely dry with paper towels. This crucial step helps the breading adhere better and promotes crispiness.
- Dredge each chicken tenderloin first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten egg, ensuring it’s fully coated, letting any extra drip off. Finally, press the chicken firmly into the panko breadcrumb mixture, ensuring a thick, even coating on all sides.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook in batches if necessary for optimal crispiness.
- Air fry the chicken tenders for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown, crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). The exact cooking time may vary based on your air fryer model and the thickness of the tenders.
- Remove the crispy chicken tenders from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- For extra crispy tenders, you can lightly spray the breaded chicken with cooking spray or drizzle with a little olive oil before air frying.
- If using regular breadcrumbs instead of panko, adjust the cooking time slightly as panko tends to get crispier faster.
- Ensure the chicken pieces are not touching in the air fryer basket to allow for even air circulation and crisping. Cook in batches if needed.
- Try serving these tenders with a side of Garlic Chicken Noodles for a complete and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying, Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg
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