All-time childhood favorite meets healthy weeknight dinner via extra crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! With just 8 minutes of cook time, they’re a fast, family-friendly recipe that kids of all ages (and kids at heart!) will adore.
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Homemade is better—SO much better.
A from-scratch version of the fast food chicken fingers I loved as a kid, these air fryer chicken tenders are made with simple ingredients.
- They’re a nutritious, delicious upgrade from their processed counterparts, just like my oven-baked Chicken Tenders Recipe. But this time, made in the air fryer!
- These chicken tenders are gratifyingly crunchy outside, juicy inside, and perfectly dippable (see sauce ideas below).
- They’re also freezer-friendly! Make a big batch for the freezer, then air fry the chicken tenders directly from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
Serve them alongside Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries and you have a simple, healthy dinner that’s a shoo-in for your greatest hits list.
5 Star Review
“These air fryer chicken tenders were a real game-changer in our household! Not only were they incredibly delicious, but the best part was that my kids and I made them together at home.”
— Mia —
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Video
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Ingredients
FOR THE AIR FRYER CHICKEN TENDERS:
- 2 pounds chicken tenders about 14
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 2 large eggs
- ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Olive oil spray
FOR DIPPING (optional):
Instructions
- With paper towels, pat the chicken tenders dry. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon kosher salt.
- In a shallow bowl (a pie dish works well) beat the eggs together. In a second shallow bowl, stir together the panko, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, and remaining 1 ½ teaspoons salt. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it nearby.
- Coat the chicken tenders: Working a few at a time, dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture, patting it gently as needed to adhere. Shake off excess.
- Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pieces.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. If you’d like to keep the chicken warm between batches, turn a regular oven to 250 degrees F. Coat the air fryer basket with the olive oil cooking spray, then add chicken tenders in a single layer so that they are not touching (I can cook 4 at a time). Coat the top of the chicken tenders with oil spray.
- Cook the chicken for 7 to 8 minutes, pulling out the air fryer basket and flipping the pieces over once halfway through. (The chicken should register at least 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer and the outsides will be golden brown and crisp.) Repeat with remaining chicken tenders, keeping them warm in the oven between batches as desired. Enjoy hot.
Notes
- TO STORE: Refrigerate chicken tenders in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F, in the air fryer, or in the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: 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. Reheat from frozen.
Nutrition
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Dipping Sauce Suggestions
Because dunking air fryer chicken tenders in your favorite dipping sauce is half the fun!
- Barbecue Sauce. My recipe for homemade BBQ sauce is delish!
- Ketchup. The classic.
- Honey Mustard. Try the honey mustard dipping sauce from my Pecan Crusted Chicken.
- Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip. This lightened-up version tastes just as good as the original ranch dressing.
- Honey. My childhood fave. It’s sticky and sweet. Or use this homemade Hot Honey Recipe.
- Buffalo Sauce. An easy way to enjoy buffalo chicken flavor. This is Ben’s choice (if its yours too, check out Air Fryer Chicken Wings)!
- Sweet Chili Sauce. Sweet, tangy, and a little spicy.
- Basil Dipping Sauce. Try the light and fresh basil dipping sauce from my Zucchini Fries.
- Sweet and Sour. It’s *almost* like having takeout.
More Kid-Friendly Chicken Recipes
- These Baked Chicken Cutlets are super tender and juicy!
- The air fryer is one of my favorite ways to cook chicken breast! Try this Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe.
- Chicken Nuggets are the ultimate kid-friendly meal and this version is much healthier than takeout. Use my Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets to free up your oven, too!
- This is my tested and perfected Baked Chicken Breast recipe!
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