These air fryer chicken tenders are crispy, tender, juicy, and loaded with delicious flavor. They take under 30 minutes to make and are super easy to throw together for a quick lunch or dinner.
Cooking these in the air fryer makes them extra crunchy on the outside with the best tender and delicious texture on the inside.
You can serve this next to your favorite side dish for a whole meal or as an appetizer next to your favorite dip or sauce!
I love adding this chicken to our favorite greek pasta salad, and serving it next to our air fryer potato wedges, smoked mac and cheese, and air fryer home fries!
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Why this recipe works
- These are so much better than frozen store-bought chicken tenders!
- You can serve this chicken over a bed of pasta, mashed potatoes, or white rice for a balanced meal.
- This whole recipe comes together in under 30 minutes from start to finish!
- This chicken dish is inexpensive to make and uses simple ingredients!
- This recipe is way healthier than fried chicken tenders! It is made with minimal oil, and still tastes amazing!
What are chicken tenders?
Chicken tenders or chicken tenderloins are a part of the chicken breast. They are trips of meats that are attached to the bottom of the chicken breast. They are more tender and moist than chicken breast but have the exact same flavor.
Ingredients
Before you start to make this recipe, measure and prepare your ingredients so the cooking process will go smoothly and easily.
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
Chicken- use either chicken thighs or chicken breast for this recipe. we used chicken breast for this recipe, feel free to use whatever chicken part that you like most. We used boneless chicken breasts.
Panko breadcrumbs- we love using panko breadcrumbs for chicken tender because the panko breadcrumbs have the best light and flakey texture which is a favorite!
Eggs- you will need 2 large eggs to make the crumbs stick to the chicken and create a crispy exterior.
Kosher salt– we used kosher salt in this recipe. You can use sea salt or flakey salt as well.
Black pepper- for flavor. Adjust the black pepper to your personal liking.
Parmesan cheese- the parmesan cheese makes this. I recommend grating your cheese yourself instead of buying pre-grated cheese for the best flavor.
Seasoning- add your favorite seasoning to the flour mixture. I used garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. You can add your favorite seasoning like Italian seasoning, greek seasoning, etc.
Olive oil spray- it is important to spray the chicken with a thin layer of oil (you can use your favorite oil spray) to make the chicken extra crispy on the outside and prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket.
Instructions
Into a shallow bowl, add the flour, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper and mix.
In a second shallow bowl, add the eggs and whisk them with a fork.
Into a third shallow bowl, add the panko breadcrumb and grated parmesan cheese and mix well.
Dip the chicken in the flour, coating it well, then dip it in the egg mixture, and finally dip it in the panko mixture, coating the chicken and pressing the breadcrumbs into the chicken to make sure they stick to the chicken.
Brush the air fryer basket with olive oil or your favorite oil. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket leaving spaces between each chicken tender. Cook in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes at 200c (400f) until the chicken is cooked through, golden brown, and crispy.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot!
Expert Tips
- You can use your favorite parts of chicken for this recipe. Like chicken thighs, and chicken breasts. Ensure that you clean the chicken and that there are no bones for easy eating.
- Do not disturb the chicken! Let the chicken cook for at least 5 minutes without flipping it so it will have time to properly form a crust.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken is cooked on the inside and prevents your chicken from drying out. If the middle of the chicken reaches 74c (165f), it's ready!
- You can season the breading with your favorite seasoning like Italian seasoning, greek seasoning, Mexican seasoning, etc!
Faq's
This chicken will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
You can serve this chicken with mashed potatoes, home fries, potato wedges, freshly made pasta, cauliflower rice, roasted vegetables, rice, etc.
Make sure that you spray the air fryer basket with oil or brush it with oil before adding the chicken to prevent the chicken from sticking to the basket and making a mess.
Yes! If you are using chicken breast for this recipe, make sure to cut it in the same shape as chicken tenders. Cut them into even pieces so they'll cook evenly.
Yes! Bake them in a preheated 200c (400f) for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken tenders are golden brown and crispy on the outside. Do not overbake them so they won't dry out.
Storing
If you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Reheating
Reheat these in the air fryer at a low temperature to prevent them from overcooking 180c (350f) for about 5 minutes or until they are warmed through. You can also reheat them in a preheated 180c (350f) oven for 3-5 minutes.
Freezing
Freeze these in a freezer-friendly airtight container after the chicken is cooled completely for up to 2 months.
Serving tips
You can serve your chicken tenders next to your favorite side dish like our dairy free mashed potatoes! Dip the chicken tenders in ketchup, boom boom sauce, barbecue sauce, yogurt dill sauce, sweet chili sauce, sweet and sour sauce, etc!
Substitutions
Chicken- you can swap the chicken tenders with boneless chicken breasts, or skinless chicken thighs.
Gluten-free- to make this chicken gluten-free, use gluten-free breadcrumbs!
Variations
Spicy- you can make this chicken spicy by adding a pinch or two of cayenne pepper or adding chili flakes to the panko mixture. Add it to your personal liking.
Dried herbs- you can use your favorite mix of dried herbs for this chicken and add it to the breading!
Lemon zest- add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the flour mixture for a delicious zesty lemon flavor.
More chicken recipes
Marry me chicken- This marry me chicken is the perfect chicken dinner that is herby, creamy, tender, juicy, and goes perfectly with pasta or rice!
Cast iron chicken breast- This cast iron skillet chicken is super easy to make, perfectly seasoned golden brown chicken that is tender and juicy and goes perfectly with any side dish!
Honey butter chicken- This honey butter chicken is crispy, sweet, juicy, and tender, and comes together in 30 minutes!
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📖 Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 450 g Chicken tenders
Flour mixture
- ½ cup Flour
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
Egg mixture
- 2 Eggs large
Panko mixture
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- â…“ cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Into a shallow bowl, add the flour, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper and mix.
- In a second shallow bowl, add the eggs and whisk them with a fork.
- Into a third shallow bowl, add the panko breadcrumb and grated parmesan cheese and mix well.
- Dip the chicken in the flour, coating it well, then dip it in the egg mixture, and finally dip it in the panko mixture, coating the chicken and pressing the breadcrumbs into the chicken to make sure they stick to the chicken.
- Brush the air fryer basket with olive oil or your favorite oil. Place the chicken in the air fryer basket leaving spaces between each chicken tender. Cook in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes at 200c (400f) until the chicken is cooked through, golden brown, and crispy.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot!
Notes
- You can use your favorite parts of chicken for this recipe. Like chicken thighs, and chicken breasts. Ensure that you clean the chicken and that there are no bones for easy eating.
- Do not disturb the chicken! Let the chicken cook for at least 5 minutes without flipping it so it will have time to properly form a crust.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure that your chicken is cooked on the inside and prevents your chicken from drying out. If the middle of the chicken reaches 74c (165f), it's ready!
- You can season the breading with your favorite seasoning like Italian seasoning, greek seasoning, Mexican seasoning, etc!
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