Tender Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
These tender air fryer chicken tenders are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, marinated in buttermilk to enhance flavor and tenderness. Perfectly seasoned and air-fried to golden perfection, they make a quick and healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken tenders.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lbs chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
Breading
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken tenders in a bowl with the buttermilk and allow to marinate for 30 minutes up to 4 hours. This step tenderizes the chicken and infuses flavor.
- Prepare the Breading Stations: In one medium bowl, put the flour. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs gently. In a third bowl, mix the Panko bread crumbs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder until combined evenly.
- Pat Dry the Chicken: Remove the chicken tenders from the buttermilk and gently pat dry with paper towels to prevent steaming during cooking and help the breading stick better.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each tender first in flour, then dip into the whisked eggs, and finally coat with the seasoned Panko mixture. Spray both sides lightly with cooking spray or oil.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the coated tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each piece for proper crisping. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Cook at 390°F for 5 minutes per side. Adjust cooking time depending on tender size: 4 minutes per side for smaller tenders, 6-7 minutes per side for larger ones. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the chicken tenders hot with dipping sauces like ranch or ketchup and enjoy immediately.
Notes
- Marinating in buttermilk helps achieve extra tender and juicy chicken.
- Patting the chicken dry after marinating is crucial for a crispy coating.
- Cooking times may vary based on air fryer models and tender thickness; always check internal temperature.
- Use cooking spray to aid in crispiness without adding extra oil.
- These chicken tenders are best enjoyed fresh out of the air fryer for optimal crunch.
Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, buttermilk chicken, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken tenders
