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Have 20 minutes? You have time to make these crispy, tender, juicy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! A guaranteed family-favorite!
Looking for more kid-friendly air fryer recipes? Kids not only love these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, but rave about Air Fryer French Bread Pizza, Air Fryer Chicken Legs, and Air Fryer Potato Wedges.
A Family-Favorite Recipe Delivered Fast
If your kids are like mine, they love nothing more than when I announce that chicken tenders and baked fries are on the menu. And this busy mom loves when I can deliver their favorites using wholesome ingredients and with minimal effort on my end!
Let me tell you, this Air Fryer Chicken Tender Recipe is a win-win for everyone!
Made with wholesome ingredients and in record time, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders delivers crispy, juicy chicken tenders that are easy enough for the most frazzled person to throw together after a long day. (It's me, I am THAT frazzled person!)
And more importantly, these air-fried crispy strips of chicken satisfy BOTH the picky eaters and the more sophisticated palates. (Note to Parents, I highly recommend dicing up the air-fried chicken tenders and serving over a Caesar salad--so good!)
Now let's break this recipe down, because as the people we are, we need to get dinner on the table.😉
How to Make the Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the ingredient quantities and detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Save Money and Use Chicken Breasts
Unless they are on sale, chicken tenderloins are often priced higher per pound than chicken breasts. Save money by slicing boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch thick chicken strips to make your own chicken "tenderloins."
Use a 3-Step Breading Process
For the crispiest chicken tenders, you want to coat the chicken strips in flour, then dredge in eggs, and finally finish by coating the chicken in breadcrumbs. This process will help to seal in the juice of the chicken and allow the breading to adhere to the tenders.
Season, Season, and Season Again!
Be sure to season the chicken, the flour, the eggs, and the breadcrumbs with seasonings of choice, which ensures the chicken tenders are perfectly seasoned and not bland. I like to use seasoned salt, but feel free to simply use salt and pepper or swap out the seasoned salt for Cajun seasoning, Taco Seasoning, or Adobo seasoning.
Use Panko
For restaurant-quality crispy chicken tenders, use panko or Japanese breadcrumbs rather than traditional breadcrumbs. They are bigger and add more crunch-factor to the chicken tenders.
Don't Overlap the Chicken Tenders
In order for the chicken strips to cook and brown evenly, it is crucial to not overlap chicken. If needed, work in batches.
Serve with Sauce
Air Fryer Chicken Strips are begging to be served with a dipping sauce of some sort. Serve with honey mustard, sweet chili sauce, BBQ sauce, ketchup, or ranch dressing.
Make it a Meal
- Sides to Pair with Air Fryer Chicken Strips: Air Fryer Chicken Tenders pair beautifully with Bacon Ranch Potato Salad, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Air Fryer French Fries, or Instant Pot Corn on the Cob.
- Add to a Salad: Turn a side salad into an entree, by dicing up the air fryer chicken tenders and add them to a BLT Salad, Caesar Salad, or Southwestern Salad.
Storage Instructions
- Storage: Refrigerate leftover air fryer chicken tenders in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheating Instructions: For best results, reheat the chicken strips in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 2-3 minutes, just to warm through. This will ensure the breading stays nice and crispy.
- Freezing: To freeze the cooked and breaded air fryer chicken tenders, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. Freeze until solid, then transfer the frozen tenders to an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Air Fry directly from frozen by cooking at 370-375 degrees F for 4 minutes per side.
More Air Fryer Recipes to Enjoy
- Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Baked Potato
- Air Fryer Asparagus
If you tried out this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, I would love for you to leave a review and comment below.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins, or boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch thick strips
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, for seasoning flour
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt , for seasoning eggs
- 2 cups plain panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt, for seasoning breading
- cooking spray
Instructions
- If needed per your model, preheat the air fryer to 400℉.
- Prepare 1 pound chicken tenderloins, by trimming off the tendon or any fat from the chicken tenderloin. If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, slice the breast into 1-inch strips.
- Set out three shallow bowls or dishes. In the first dish, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon seasoned salt. In the second dish, whisk 2 large eggs and 2 tablespoons water with a ½ teaspoon seasoned salt . In the final dish, combine the 2 cups plain panko bread crumbs with 1 teaspoon seasoned salt.
- Working one at a time, place each chicken tender into the flour mixture, flipping to coat evenly, and then shake off excess flour. Place the floured chicken strip into the egg wash and coat both sides, being sure to shake off excess egg wash before placing the chicken tender into the breadcrumb mixture. Evenly coat the chicken tender in the breadcrumb mixture, using your hands to help the breadcrumbs to adhere to the chicken. Once breaded, lay the chicken strips on a plate or cookie sheet.
- Generously spray the top of the breaded chicken tenders with cooking spray and then place them, sprayed side down, into the basket or tray of the air fryer. Be careful to not overlap the chicken tenders, so they cook and brown evenly. It is better to work in batches if needed. Spray the top of the breaded chicken with the cooking spray.
- Air fry for 4 minutes, flip, and air fry for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the chicken reaches 165℉ (Check after 3 minutes.) Serve warm as desired.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Kristen what make and model air fryer do you recommend?
Hi Jennifer! I have used several models and really like the Aria Brand and Ninja. Both have lasted well and been consistent in use. I really like that the Aria has a ceramic base, but it can be hard to find in stock. Both brands really perform well.
What an easy recipe! Thank you so much for sharing!
These chicken tenders are soooo good! They turned out so tender and juicy, thanks to my air fryer! Kids love to dip it on a ketchup while I love it dipped in a hot sauce.
Thrilled to hear you enjoyed, Sharina! Thank you for taking the time to share! And good choice dipping in hot sauce 🙂
My whole family thought these air fryer chicken tenders were amazing! They were so much tastier and healthier than frozen ones, and I couldn't believe how easy they were to make. Thanks for a keeper recipe!
Thanks for sharing, Samantha! I am thrilled to hear you and your family enjoyed this easy recipe.