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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

Skip greasy takeout and make homemade Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! Crispy outside and juicy inside, these tenders are perfect for a family meal.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 3
Calories: 483 kcal
Course: Main Course , Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the chicken
  • 1 pound chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced thin
For the marinade
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 egg
For dipping and coating
  • ½ cup buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ¾ cup flour
  • ½ cup breadcrumbs
  • 2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel.
  2. Mix the cup of buttermilk and egg in a medium bowl. Add the chicken pieces and refrigerate for 20 minutes to 2 hours.
  3. Mix the flour, cornstarch, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a bowl.
  4. Put ½ cup buttermilk in a shallow dish.
  5. Take a piece of chicken from the marinade. Dip it into the breadcrumb mixture, then the buttermilk mixture, then the flour again. Set it on a wire rack.
  6. Continue to dip the chicken. The breading will stick better if the pieces rest on a wire rack for 5-10 minutes before air frying.
  7. Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F for 3 minutes. Then, spray the air fryer basket with some oil to prevent sticking.
  8. Put the chicken in the basket. Don't stack it, and make sure there is room for air to circulate.
  9. Spray the chicken with oil to coat the top. Air fry at 370 F for 5 minutes.
  10. Check the chicken. If there is visible flour on top, spray it with a little more oil.
  11. Flip the chicken with tongs and air fry it for another 5 minutes until golden brown.
  12. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer and verify it has reached 165 F. If not, air fry it for another few minutes until it is done.

Notes

  • If you don't have buttermilk, use regular milk with 1 teaspoon of vinegar added.
  • Experiment with the bread crumbs. You can use regular bread crumbs, Panko breadcrumbs, pork rinds, crushed-up Doritos, or Cheetos. Try some different things and figure out what you like best.
  • Don't skip preheating the air fryer for this recipe. Preheating helps ensure golden and crispy chicken tenders.
  • Spritz the tenders lightly with oil from a spray bottle. Air frying allows you to use much less oil than deep frying. But a little oil will enhance the golden-brown color and make the coating crispier. So use a little; just don't drench the tenders in oil.
  • If you don't have buttermilk, use regular milk with 1 teaspoon of vinegar added.
  • Experiment with the bread crumbs. You can use regular bread crumbs, Panko breadcrumbs, pork rinds, crushed-up Doritos, or Cheetos. Try some different things and figure out what you like best.
  • Don't skip preheating the air fryer for this recipe. Preheating helps ensure golden and crispy chicken tenders.
  • Spritz the tenders lightly with oil from a spray bottle. Air frying allows you to use much less oil than deep frying. But a little oil will enhance the golden-brown color and make the coating crispier. So use a little; just don't drench the tenders in oil.

Nutrition Information

Calories 483kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 50g (17%) Protein 44g (88%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 2g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 0.02g Cholesterol 165mg (55%) Sodium 1232mg (51%) Potassium 859mg (25%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 655IU (13%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 198mg (20%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 3Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 483

% Daily Value*

Calories 483kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 50g 17%
Protein 44g 88%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g 12%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Trans Fat 0.02g 1%
Cholesterol 165mg 55%
Sodium 1232mg 51%
Potassium 859mg 18%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 655IU 13%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 198mg 20%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.