Chicken Tenders

Chicken Tenders

Crispy, golden chicken tenders made in the air fryer — juicy on the inside with a perfectly crunchy seasoned breadcrumb coating. Ready in under 30 minutes and loved by kids and adults alike, these are a weeknight staple you'll keep coming back to.

4 servings · Prep 15 min · Cook 14 min · Total 29 min

American · Dinner · Main Course

  • 1.5 lb chicken tenderloins or chicken breasts sliced into 1-inch strips
  • chicken breasts sliced into 1-inch strips
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.75 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 tbsp olive oil spray or avocado oil spray
  • avocado oil spray

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Air Fryer
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Cooking Spray
  • Paper Towel
  • Basket
  • Plates
  • Knife
  • Tongs
  • Cutting Board
  • Meat Thermometer

Instructions

  1. Set up a three-bowl breading station: add @[All-Purpose Flour] to the first bowl; beaten @[Eggs] to the second; and @[Panko Breadcrumbs] mixed with @[Garlic Powder], @[Onion Powder], @[Smoked Paprika], @[Salt], and @[Black Pepper] to the third. Stir the panko mixture well to combine the seasoning evenly.
  2. Pat the @[Chicken Tenderloins] dry with #[Paper Towel]. Working one at a time, dredge each tender in @[All-Purpose Flour] (shake off excess), dip into the beaten @[Eggs] (let excess drip off), then press firmly into the seasoned panko so the coating adheres on all sides.
  3. Preheat your #[Air Fryer] to ![400°F] for ~[3 minutes]. Arrange the breaded tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket — do not overlap. Lightly spray the tops with @[Olive Oil Spray].
  4. Air fry at ![400°F] for ~[7 minutes], then flip each tender with tongs and spray the other side lightly with @[Olive Oil Spray]. Continue cooking for another ~[5–7 minutes] until the coating is deep golden and the internal temperature reads %[165°F] on a #[Meat Thermometer].
  5. Transfer to a plate and let rest for ~[2 minutes] before serving. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce — honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ all work great.