The Well Panko crusted chicken tenders Cookbook is now available! Crispy and easy air fryer chicken tenders. Delicious, healthy, and perfect for kids, game day, and freezer-friendly meals. All-time childhood favorite meets healthy weeknight dinner via crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders!
A homemade version of my most-requested meal growing up, they are made with simple ingredients and a serious upgrade from the frozen ones I once prayed my mother would serve for dinner every night. I’d order them off the appetizer menu as my main dish. These days, I rarely stop for fast food, but on a recent road trip, we pulled through a drive-through and for whatever reason, I HAD to have chicken fingers. Watch out golden arches, you have been beat! Crunchy and crispy outside, tender inside, and completely dippable just like Air Fryer Shrimp, these healthy air fryer chicken tenders have officially replaced the frozen and fast-food versions in my heart. How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders The key to making the chicken tenders crispy is a combination of regular and panko breadcrumbs. The regular breadcrumbs adhere easily to the chicken, so you get a complete coating.
The larger panko breadcrumbs add essential texture and crunch. If you love fried chicken with buttermilk, check out my Baked Fried Chicken. Beloved by children and adults alike, chicken tenders are a delicious, quick-cooking option for lean protein. You can find pre-cut chicken tenders at most grocery stores.
If your grocery store doesn’t sell chicken tenders, you can make your own from a chicken breast. Helps the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken tenders. Panko provides a lighter breadcrumb coating that crisps up perfectly in the air fryer. Regular breacrumbs help fully coat the chicken tenders in breading, filling in any gaps that the Panko might leave behind.
The Directions Dry and salt the chicken. How long chicken tenders stay in the air fryer will depend upon your model, as well as how crisp you would like them to be. Because dipping is half of the fun! My recipe for homemade BBQ sauce is delish! Try the honey mustard dipping sauce from my Pecan Crusted Chicken. This lightened-up version tastes just as good as the original. An easy way to enjoy buffalo chicken flavor.
Sweet, tangy, and a little spicy. Try these Korean Air Fryer Chicken Wings if you enjoy Asian-inspired sauce flavors. Try the light and fresh basil dipping sauce from my Zucchini Fries. Sweet and sour fans, don’t miss my Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken. Refrigerate chicken tenders in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days. Lay cooked chicken tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Freeze until solid, then transfer the frozen tenders to an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. To ensure your frozen chicken tenders are crispy once reheated, skip the microwave. Rewarming them in the oven or air fryer will help crisp them back up. Leftover Ideas Leftover chicken tenders make a fabulous addition to your favorite salad.
I love swapping them for the chicken in this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad or adding them to this Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing. Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe Air Fryer. This is the one I own and love! It works wonders with all kinds of chicken, including Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
The best way to tell when your tenders are done. Ideal for flipping the chicken tenders. The Best Air Fryer This air fryer model has numerous different settings and includes a rack for broiling. Let me know what you thought!