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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Breaded)

A stack of golden brown, crispy air fryer chicken tenders on a white plate, one piece broken open showing white meat.
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Make golden, crunchy chicken tenders in your air fryer. This recipe delivers a juicy interior and a perfectly crisp coating using less oil than traditional frying. It is a quick, kid-friendly dinner or snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon paprika
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken strips completely dry with paper towels. This step helps the coating stick and promotes crispiness.
  2. Set up the dredging station: Place the flour in one shallow dish. In a second dish, whisk the eggs. In a third dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  3. Coat the chicken: Dredge each chicken strip first in the flour, shaking off excess. Next, dip it into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Finally, press the strip firmly into the seasoned panko breadcrumbs to coat completely.
  4. Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C) for 5 minutes.
  5. Spray the basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  6. Arrange the tenders: Place the breaded tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
  7. Spray the tops: Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray. This helps them brown evenly.
  8. Air fry: Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through the cooking time. Continue to spray lightly with oil during the flip.
  9. Check for doneness: The tenders are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden brown and crisp.
  10. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, let the breaded tenders rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes before air frying.
  • If you want a gluten-free option, substitute almond flour for the all-purpose flour and use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Do not skip spraying the tenders with oil before cooking; this is key for achieving that golden brown color.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://kitchenslang.com/air-fryer-chicken-tenders-recipe-crispy/