Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

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Healthy, extra crispy air fryer chicken tenders. Made with simple ingredients, they taste far better (and are better for you!) than frozen or fried!

Prep: 5

Cook: 20

Total: 25

Servings: servings (about 14 tenders)

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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):

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
Honey Mustard Sauce from this Pecan Crusted Chicken
Barbecue Sauce
Basil Yogurt Sauce from these Zucchini Fries

Instructions

With paper towels, pat the chicken tenders dry. Sprinkle with 1/2 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 1/2 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

Serving: 1(of 4)Calories: 343kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 53gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 227mgPotassium: 913mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 680IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg