Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are golden, crispy, and juicy on the inside—everything you love about fried chicken but made with much less oil. These tenders cook up fast, stay tender and flavorful, and are perfect for lunch, dinner, or a quick snack. They’re kid-friendly, easy to make, and pair wonderfully with dips like honey mustard, ranch, or barbecue sauce.
1. Cooking Time: 20 minutes
2. Serving: 4 servings
3. Ingredients:
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1 pound chicken tenders (or chicken breast strips)
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1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
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1 cup breadcrumbs (plain or panko)
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½ cup all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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2 eggs, beaten
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Cooking spray or light oil mist
4. Instructions:
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Marinate the chicken: Place the chicken tenders in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours in the fridge). This keeps the chicken juicy.
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Prepare the coating: In a shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, beat the eggs.
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Coat the tenders: Remove chicken from the buttermilk, shake off the excess, dip each piece in egg, then coat it evenly in the breadcrumb mixture.
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Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and preheat for 3 minutes.
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Cook the tenders: Lightly spray the basket with oil. Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer without overlapping. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
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Check for doneness: The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
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Serve: Enjoy hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
5. Nutrition (per serving):
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Calories: 270
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Carbohydrates: 20g
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Protein: 28g
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Fat: 9g
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Fiber: 1g
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Sugar: 2g
6. Tips:
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For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular ones.
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Add a pinch of cayenne or chili powder to the coating for a spicy kick.
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Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches for the best crispiness.
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To make them gluten-free, use almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
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Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to bring back the crisp.
