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    Home » Chicken » Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

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    Air fryer chicken tenders are the best homemade chicken strips you’ll ever have. They’re juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. The air fryer works magic that a conventional oven just can’t — and these air fryer chicken tenders are much healthier and less greasy than chicken tenders deep fried in oil. There’s a lot to love about this kid-friendly recipe including the homemade breading, easy and delicious seasoning, and short cook time (spoiler: you only need 15 minutes to air fry!).

    Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe. | aheadofthyme.com

    Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    • They take just 15 minutes to air fry. I know these air fryer chicken tenders aren’t technically “fast food,” but they are fast food. In about thirty minutes, you can enjoy homemade air fryer chicken strips and clean up the kitchen!
    • Well seasoned air fryer chicken tenders. The key to making the best chicken tenders you’ll ever have is to season the chicken well under the breading. For this quick and delicious marinade, you’ll need mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, paprika, and black pepper. These few ingredients add so much flavor.
    • So much healthier than fast food. Air fryer chicken strips are just as juicy, tender, and crisp as restaurant tenders but are way healthier for you since they aren’t drenched in oil or deep-fried. Plus, I think they taste better!
    Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe. | aheadofthyme.com

    Ingredient Notes

    To make these delicious Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, you will need the following ingredients (full quantities in the recipe card below):

    • chicken - use boneless skinless tenderloins or breasts and cut them into 1-inch thick strips.
    • mayonnaise
    • Dijon mustard
    • Worcestershire sauce
    • garlic powder
    • paprika
    • ground black pepper
    • breaded coating - you only need Panko breadcrumbs (or Italian style breadcrumbs), and salt. I recommend panko breadcrumbs because it makes the coating extra crispy. Crushed corn flakes will work, too! Larger crumbs help make the breading thick and delicious.
    • cooking oil spray - to help the coating crisp up and turn nicely golden brown.

    You will also need measuring cups and spoons, mixing bowls, and an air fryer.

    Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Make the Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    1. Marinate the chicken. In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly coated and set aside for at least 15 minutes.
    Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Coat with breadcrumbs. Mix breadcrumbs and salt evenly in a large shallow plate. Take the chicken, one strip at a time, and generously coat them in the breadcrumbs. You can gently press the crumbs into the chicken to adhere as much as possible.
    Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe. | aheadofthyme.com
    1. Air fry. Transfer the breaded chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking oil spray. Cook at 350F for 15 minutes until fully cooked through and the breading turns golden brown. The internal temperature for the chicken should reach 165F as read on a meat thermometer.
    2. Serve. Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce, if desired. Try buffalo sauce, sweet chili sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or tahini sauce.
    Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe. | aheadofthyme.com

    How to Serve Chicken Tenders

    Make a complete meal by serving your chicken strips with add a starch (like French fries, pasta, or rice) and a vegetable! I like enjoying these air fryer chicken tenders with:

    • Air Fryer Broccoli
    • Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
    • Air Fryer Asparagus
    • Greek Fries
    • Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
    • Carrot sticks

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • How to store: Allow air fryer chicken tenders to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container for storing. If you store hot tenders, condensation can make them soggy — and no one wants that. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    • How to reheat: Air fryer chicken tenders reheat best in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375F, then reheat them for about 5-7 minutes until warm and crispy.
    Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe. | aheadofthyme.com

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • 25 Best Air Fryer Recipes
    • Air Fryer Chicken Breast
    • Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
    • The Best Breaded Fried Chicken Wings (Air Fryer)
    • Air Fryer Cauliflower Bites
    • Crispy Air Fryer French Fries

    Did you make this recipe? I would greatly appreciate a comment and rating below, letting me know what you thought of the recipe. You can also snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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    Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe. | aheadofthyme.com

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders


    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 reviews

    • Author: Sam | Ahead of Thyme
    • Total Time: 35 minutes
    • Yield: 3-4 servings
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe.


    Ingredients

    For the chicken:

    • 1 pound chicken tenderloins or breasts, cut into 1-inch thick strips
    • ¼ cup mayonnaise
    • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon paprika
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    For the breading:

    • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs (or Italian style breadcrumbs)
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • cooking oil spray

    Instructions

    1. In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, mayonnaise, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly coated and set aside for at least 15 minutes.
    2. Mix breadcrumbs and salt evenly in a large shallow plate. Take the chicken tenders, one strip at a time, and generously coat them in the breadcrumbs. You can gently press the crumbs into the chicken to adhere as much as possible.
    3. Transfer the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking oil spray.
    4. Cook at 350F for 15 minutes until fully cooked through and the breading turns golden brown. The internal temperature for the chicken should reach 165F as read on a meat thermometer.
    5. Serve with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce, if desired. Try buffalo sauce, sweet chili sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or tahini sauce.

    Notes

    How to store: Allow air fryer chicken tenders to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container for storing. If you store hot tenders, condensation can make them soggy — and no one wants that. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    How to reheat: Air fryer chicken tenders reheat best in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 375F, then reheat them for about 5-7 minutes until warm and crispy.

    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Marinate Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Category: Chicken
    • Method: Air Fryer
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, chicken tenders in the air fryer, air fryer chicken strips, breaded chicken tenders, chicken tenders

    Did you make this recipe?

    I'd love to see! Tag me @aheadofthyme on Instagram.

    Air fryer chicken tenders are juicy and moist inside while crispy and golden brown outside. A healthy, delicious, and quick kid-friendly recipe. | aheadofthyme.com
    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. MALLORY says

      May 27, 2022 at 5:13 pm

      I gave up Jesus as soon as I discovered this recipe. God I used to be so IGNORANT!!

      Reply
    2. Viv says

      March 24, 2022 at 1:16 pm

      I LOVE air fryer recipes! This one is now a favorite. Thank you.

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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