Prepare to revolutionize your dinner game with these mind-blowingly crispy air fryer chicken tenders that are so delicious, they'll have everyone at the table begging for seconds! Forget greasy, oil-soaked traditional fried chicken - these tenders are the ultimate guilt-free comfort food that delivers maximum crunch with minimum effort. In just 25 minutes, you'll create restaurant-quality chicken tenders that are perfectly golden, incredibly juicy, and guaranteed to become your new family favorite.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve maximum crispiness.
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl, combine breadcrumbs, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Create a breading station by arranging the three bowls in order: seasoned flour, beaten eggs, seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Then dip into the beaten eggs, ensuring complete coating.
- Roll the egg-coated tender in the seasoned breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere completely to the chicken.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes to ensure even cooking.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Arrange chicken tenders in a single layer without overcrowding, allowing air circulation. You may need to cook in batches.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the exterior is golden brown and crispy.
- Let the chicken tenders rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to retain moisture.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
Tips
- • Always pat chicken tenders completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crispiness • Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - cook in batches for even, crispy results • Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety • For extra crunch, try using panko breadcrumbs instead of traditional breadcrumbs • Let tenders rest for 2-3 minutes after cooking to help retain moisture • Experiment with different seasoning blends in your breadcrumb mixture for variety • Serve immediately for the ultimate crispy texture
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 120mg
