Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
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Ever find yourself staring into the pantry abyss, wondering what to whip up for dinner that won’t bore the socks off your taste buds? Enter: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. These little nuggets of joy are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and an absolute game-changer for busy weeknights. You toss them in some magic breadcrumbs and let the air fryer work its wonders. Easy-peasy and utterly delicious.

This has quickly become the meal that my husband casually requests every other week, and the kids? Well, let’s just say it disappears faster than a magician’s rabbit. Fun fact: the first time I made these, I forgot the seasoning midway through, and they still turned out fantastic. It’s now a bit of a joke in our house—reminder mom to forget something each time!

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Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

– They’re quick and require minimal cleanup. Who has time for tedious kitchen duties?
– You can customize them endlessly with spices or just a dash of hot sauce—sky’s the limit!
– Healthier than takeout but equally satisfying.

Top Reader Reviews

These air fryer chicken tenders turned out so crispy and flavorful—I was honestly surprised by how easy they were! The seasoning blend is just right, and they cooked up perfectly in under 15 minutes. Definitely adding this to my weeknight dinner rotation!

– Eden

How to Make It

Oh, hey! So, here’s the lowdown on whipping up these delightful tenders. Picture this: you’re chatting with your best buddy over a glass of (insert favored drink) and you start coating those juicy strips of chicken in seasoned breadcrumbs. Funny enough, I sometimes forget an ingredient halfway through. Drama! But you just pivot, sprinkle some magic—like garlic powder or paprika—and bam, it’s happiness on a plate.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken Tenders: The superhero of this dish. You want them nice and juicy inside, so give them love.
Bread Crumbs: Panko is the way. Crispy vibes, anyone? Avoid the soggy reg.
Eggs: The glue. Don’t cry if you run out—try with a splash of milk next time.

Recipe Steps

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F. This baby needs time to warm up.
2. In a bowl, whisk eggs like you’re in a rock band.
3. Dip chicken in egg, then roll luxuriously in breadcrumbs.
4. Place in air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd them—give space to sizzle.
5. Air fry for 10 minutes, flip halfway for optimum crispiness.
6. Marvel at your brilliance, then devour.

What to Serve It With

Basically, anything you can dream of: a fresh salad, some sweet potato fries, or a delightful homemade ranch dip that’s never as simple as it looks.

Tips & Mistakes

If you’re feeling brave, add a sneaky kick of cayenne for some spice! But hey, no shame if spice isn’t your vibe. Eating these cold is surprisingly good too, but don’t tell grandma I said that.

Storage Tips

Leftovers? You won’t have any! But if you do, toss them in an airtight container and into the fridge they go. Cold from the fridge? It’s like a secret midnight snack I take no responsibility for enjoying in my PJs.

Variations and Substitutions

Out of breadcrumbs? Crush up some cornflakes or chips for crunch. Try honey if your sugar jar’s empty.

Frequently Asked Questions

I can’t have gluten… will this still work?
Totally. Just switch the soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos. I’ve done it more times than I can count. Still tastes bomb.
Do I have to peel the pineapple first? Asking for a friend.
Yeah… definitely peel it. Unless you’re into chewing bark. It’s not fun, trust me.
Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh?
Been there, done that. Just drain it like your life depends on it. Still good, just not *as* wow.
How sweet is this? Can I tone it down a bit?
You totally can. Cut the sugar a little or swap in honey or maple syrup. I’ve done both when I ran out of brown sugar.
What if I skip the sesame oil?
Honestly? It’s fine. You’ll lose that toasted vibe, but it’s not a dealbreaker. Still delicious.

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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

These crispy air fryer chicken tenders are perfectly seasoned and golden brown, making a quick and healthy dinner option.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 120kcal

Ingredients
 

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb chicken tenders
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs preferably seasoned
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.75 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 2 large eggs beaten

Instructions

Preparation Steps

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  • In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Dip each chicken tender into the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs.
  • Place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
  • Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
  • Remove from air fryer, let rest for 2 minutes, and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

For extra crispiness, lightly spray the chicken tenders with cooking spray before air frying.
💬

Featured Comments

“New favorite here — so flavorful. savory was spot on.”
★★★★★ 13 days ago Nora
“Made this last night and it was will make again. Loved how the flavor-packed came together.”
★★★★☆ 9 days ago Scarlett
“Super easy and absolutely loved! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
★★★★☆ 2 days ago Olivia
“Impressed! Clear steps and so flavorful results. Perfect for busy nights.”
★★★★☆ 4 weeks ago Amelia
“Made this last night and it was family favorite. Loved how the summer-ready came together.”
★★★★☆ 2 weeks ago Zoe
“Super easy and will make again! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
★★★★☆ 2 weeks ago Harper
“Impressed! Clear steps and turned out amazing results. Perfect for busy nights.”
★★★★☆ 9 days ago Lily
“This light recipe was family favorite — the crowd-pleaser really stands out. Thanks!”
★★★★☆ 4 weeks ago Riley
“This crispy crust recipe was so flavorful — the warm hug really stands out. Thanks!”
★★★★☆ 3 weeks ago Riley
“Super easy and family favorite! My family asked for seconds. Saving this one.”
★★★★☆ 13 days ago Ava

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