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how to make the best chicken tenders
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5 from 1 vote

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

These extra crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are super simple to make and a healthy alternative to regular fried chicken. They’re crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, and taste amazing with our homemade honey mustard sauce.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: lunch, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 438kcal
Author: The Carefree Kitchen

Ingredients

  • pounds Chicken Tenders
  • 1 cup Buttermilk

Breading for Chicken Tenders

  • 1 cup Italian Bread Crumbs
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon Dry Mustard
  • ½ teaspoon Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon Pepper
  • 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil to drizzle on chicken tenders before air frying

Honey Mustard Sauce

  • ¼ cup Honey
  • ¼ cup Mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup Dijon Mustard
  • 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice
  • teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • teaspoon Paprika

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 500 degrees F.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken tenders and buttermilk. Use kitchen tongs to turn the chicken and cover all sides, then let sit for 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a pie pan or shallow baking dish, add the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  • Using tongs, remove the chicken tenders one at a time, allowing excess buttermilk to drip off. Place the chicken tender into the breadcrumb mixture and coat on all sides, pressing gently. Transfer the coated chicken tender to a parchment paper lined baking sheet, then repeat with the rest. Drizzle olive oil over the tops.
  • Place the coated chicken tender onto a baking sheet. Repeat until all the chicken tenders are coated. Drizzle a little olive oil on the chicken tenders. Transfer chicken tenders to an air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure the tenders do not touch (you may have to do multiple batches).
  • Cook in a preheated 500-degree (or as close as you can get it) air fryer for 10 minutes. Use tongs to flip the chicken tenders, then continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
  • While cooking, combine the honey, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl and whisk until smooth.
  • Once cooked, remove chicken from the air fryer and serve warm with honey mustard dipping sauce. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 438kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 937mg | Potassium: 565mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 314IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 196mg | Iron: 2mg