These unbelievably crispy chicken tenders are even better than the deep-fried version! They are super crispy outside, tender and juicy inside, and ready in just 10 minutes!
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Air Fryer Chicken Tender Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card below.
- Chicken tenders. Use fresh chicken tenders or cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips.
- Flour. All-purpose flour works best, but whole wheat or almond flour are good alternatives.
- Panko breadcrumbs. Regular breadcrumbs or crushed saltine crackers can also be used.
- Avocado oil spray. You can also use an olive oil spray.
How To Make Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
For more detailed instructions with measurements, jump to the recipe card.
- Step 1: Prep the Chicken: If using chicken breasts, slice them into strips. Place the strips on a cutting board.
- Step 2: Make the Coating: In a shallow dish, mix flour, Panko breadcrumbs, paprika, seasoning salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Step 3: Prepare the Egg Wash: In another shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, seasoning salt, and black pepper.
- Step 4: Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken strip into the flour mixture, then the egg wash, and back into the flour mixture. Shake off any excess.
- Step 5: Cook the Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the coated chicken strips in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray the top with avocado oil.
- Step 6: Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again with oil. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If the chicken is not quite done, put it in for another 1-2 minutes. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken. You will need to cook the chicken in batches, how many batches depends on the size of your air fryer basket. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces such as BBQ sauce, sweet and sour sauce, honey mustard sauce, buffalo sauce, or Hoisin peanut sauce.
- Serve with air fryer french fries, air fryer sweet potato wedges, air fryer curly fries, or air fryer sweet potato fries.
- They also go great with sides like potato salad, cucumber salad, or coleslaw with mayo.
Top Tips
- Use tongs to dip the chicken to prevent your fingers from clumping with the Panko mixture.
- Place chicken on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper when coated.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket.
- Do not cover the chicken to keep warm as the steam inside will soften the crispy coating.
Air Fryer Chicken Tender FAQs
Cook for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to soggy tenders. Make sure there's space between each piece.
Set the air fryer to 400°F for best results.
Preheat the air fryer and spray the chicken lightly with oil. Flip halfway through and spray with oil again.
Store cooled tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or freeze for up to two months.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You'll Love
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
- Crispy Chicken Legs in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
- Air Fryer Filet Mignon with Bacon
Did you make these crispy chicken tenders in an air fryer? If you did, can you do me a big favor and leave a rating and review letting me know how you liked it? This helps my website grow so I can continue to publish free recipes. Thank you! 😊
Recipe
Super Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts or 2 pounds chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil spray
Simple Coating
- ¾ cup Panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Egg Coating
- 2 large eggs fork beaten
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Slice chicken breasts into strips if not using pre-cut tenders.
- Make the Coating: In a shallow dish, combine Panko bread crumbs, flour, seasoning salt, paprika, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Make the Egg Wash: Whisk eggs, milk, seasoning salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 400℉.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken strip into the flour mixture, then into the egg wash, and back into the flour mixture. Ensure each piece is well-coated.
- Air Fry. Place the coated chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray the tops of the chicken strips with avocado oil. Air fry for 10 minutes at 400℉, flipping halfway through and spraying with oil again. Cook the chicken until it turns golden brown and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165℉. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken, keeping cooked tenders warm in the oven if necessary.
- Serve. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
Video
Recipe Notes:
- Use tongs to dip the chicken to prevent your fingers from clumping with the Panko mixture.
- Place chicken on a baking sheet covered in parchment paper when coated.
- Don’t overcrowd your air fryer basket.
- Do not cover the chicken to keep warm as the steam inside will soften the crispy coating.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
About Jeri Walker
Jeri Walker is the founder and CEO of Winding Creek Ranch. She is a self-taught home cook who specializes in easy family-friendly recipes. Jeri is also a food writer who regularly writes articles for MSN. Read about Jeri's journey and connect with her on your favorite social media channels!
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