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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Easy Recipe for Juicy Bites

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This recipe delivers golden, crispy chicken tenders with a juicy interior using a simple breading method and an air fryer for quick, healthy cooking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh chicken tenders, trimmed of excess fat
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (60g)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (100g)
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25g)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • ½ cup buttermilk (120ml)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels to help coating stick and prevent sogginess.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk until smooth.
  3. In another bowl, combine flour, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper; mix well.
  4. Dip each chicken tender first into the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then into the egg and buttermilk mix, and finally dredge thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to adhere coating.
  5. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
  6. Place coated tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding; cook in batches if needed.
  7. Lightly spray tenders with olive oil spray.
  8. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  9. Let tenders rest on a wire rack or paper towels for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before breading to ensure crispiness. Do not overcrowd air fryer basket to avoid soggy tenders. Lightly spray oil to prevent greasiness. Preheat air fryer for best crust. Rest tenders after cooking to keep crust crisp. For extra crunch, broil or use air fryer high setting for 1-2 minutes at the end. Can be baked at 425°F for 15-20 minutes if no air fryer is available.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken tenders, air fryer chicken, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken tenders, quick dinner, family meal, air fryer recipe

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-tenders-easy-recipe-for-juicy-bites/