Craving crispy, delicious chicken without the guilt? These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are the perfect solution! Golden and crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, they’re easy to make and much healthier than deep-fried versions. Whether you’re whipping up a quick family dinner or a crowd-pleasing snack, these chicken tenders are sure to be a hit with everyone!
Table of Contents
- 🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- 🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
- 📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- 🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
- 🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
- 🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat air fryer chicken tenders
- Marye's Tip o' the day
- 💭 Insider tips: things to know
- 👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
- 📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- 🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
- 🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose
- 📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
- 📖 Recipe
- 💬 Comments
Save this recipe by clicking on the ❤️ heart on the right-hand side of the screen or in the recipe card.
🗝️ Key takeaways: why this recipe is your new favorite
- Quick and easy with all the flavor and none of the unpronounceable ingredients of the fast food versions.
- These make a great weeknight dinner because they take under 30 minutes.
- Using mayonnaise to coat the chicken tenders helps them stay moist and juicy during frying.
🧾 Gather your ingredients: what you'll need
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the green recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
- Chicken Tenders: You can find chicken tenders at most grocery stores, if unavailable, you can substitute with boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko gives a lighter, crispier texture compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Mayonnaise: This keeps the chicken moist and adds richness. If you prefer, you can substitute with Greek yogurt or sour cream.
📖 Make it your own: yummy variations
- Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the egg mixture for a spicy kick.
- Try adding 1 teaspoon of my copycat Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning for a little pop of Louisiana flavor.
- Mix ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese with the panko for a cheesy, savory coating.
- Add Italian seasoning to the panko.
🔪 Step-by-step guide: instructions for success
This is an overview of the instructions. Full instructions are in the green recipe card at the bottom of the page. Click on the image to see it full size.
Mix the Panko crumbs and seasonings.
Mix the egg and mayonnaise and dip the chicken tenders in it.
Roll the chicken tenders in the Panko mixture.
Air fry as directed in recipe.
🤫 Marye's secret for zhuzhing it up -
Have some extra time? Let the tenders marinate for 15-30 minutes in dill pickle juice! More tender, juicier, more delicious chicken tenders. Just pat them dry before using.
zhuzh: verb. To make something more interesting or attractive
🍴Must have tools: essential equipment
🥫 Leftover love: how to store and reheat air fryer chicken tenders
Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes to retain crispiness.
For longer storage, freeze the cooked tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheat from frozen in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes at 375°F (190°C) until hot and crispy.
Marye's Tip o' the day
Flip halfway through cooking – For an even, golden crisp on both sides, flip the tenders halfway through the cooking time.
💭 Insider tips: things to know
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: To ensure even cooking and crispiness, arrange the tenders ina single layer with space in between. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Check for Doneness: Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Use a meat thermometer to ensure accuracy.
- Customize the Seasoning: Feel free to add your favorite spices or herbs to the panko mixture for a personalized flavor twist. I like using my copycat Popeye's seasoning salt.
👩🍳 Let's answer those questions: FAQs
Have other questions? Ask me in the comments!
Yes, you can use regular breadcrumbs, but panko breadcrumbs provide a lighter, crispier texture. If you only have regular breadcrumbs, consider mixing them with a bit of cornmeal to achieve a similar crunch.
Simply substitute the panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Check the labels on other ingredients like mayonnaise and seasonings to ensure they are also gluten-free.
Yes, you can bread the chicken tenders ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 hours before cooking. This is perfect if you’re planning to serve them at a party or for a quick dinner.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken tenders in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden and cooked through.
⏲️ Marye's time saving hacks -
Line the air fryer – Use parchment paper or an air fryer liner to minimize cleanup time. It prevents sticking and makes cleanup quick and easy.
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
- Baked cornflake chicken tenders are always crispy and delicious!
- Spicy and delicious! We love these copycat Popeye's blackened chicken tenders.
- Copycat Popeye's chicken strips are classically deep fried and delicious.
🍽️ Perfect pairings: what to serve with
Classic dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce.
A side of fresh salad, coleslaw, or steamed veggies for a balanced meal.
French fries or sweet potato fries for a complete comfort food experience.
Campfire sauce is a copycat of the dipping sauce from Red Robin. It's delicious with these air fryer chicken tenders!
Cole slaw is a classic with fried chicken. This version is creamy and crunchy.
Snickerdoodle cookies are crispy on the edges and chewy in the middles - the perfect texture!
🍽️ No waste: creative ways to repurpose
If you've got leftovers add them to a salad for lunch or stuff them into hot dog buns for fried chicken sandwiches.
📞 Wrapping it up: the last word
If you're anything like me your air fryer tends to sit in a cupboard or in the pantry still in the box and is only brought out once or twice a year - if that.
I just can't get used to using it! BUT y'all, with recipes like this one that air fryer is going to be getting a lot more attention around here. I hope you'll try these - they're so good!
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please comment below and give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 10 to 12 chicken tenders
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Olive oil non-stick spray
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In one shallow bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the mayonnaise until well combined. The mayonnaise will add extra moisture to the chicken, keeping it tender and juicy.
- In a separate shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Dip each chicken tender into the egg and mayonnaise mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Then, roll the chicken tender in the panko mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the breadcrumbs to the chicken.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded to ensure even cooking.
- Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with oil spray.
- Air fry the tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The tenders should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked on the inside.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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