These unbelievably crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are even better than the deep-fried version. They're golden and crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and ready in just 10 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, picky kids, or anyone who loves a quick chicken dinner.
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Whether you call them chicken tenders, chicken tenderloins, or chicken strips, this is one of those classic chicken recipes you'll want to make on repeat.
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Chicken tenderloins. Use fresh chicken tenderloins or cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips.
- Flour. All-purpose flour works best, but whole wheat or almond flour work too.
- Panko breadcrumbs. Regular breadcrumbs or crushed saltine crackers can also be used.
- Avocado oil spray. This is used to get the chicken strips extra crispy. You can also use an olive oil spray.
- Seasoning. All you need are seasoning salt, paprika, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
For detailed ingredient amounts, scroll to the recipe card below.
- Step 1: Prep the Chicken: If using raw chicken breast, slice them into even strips on a cutting board. Pat the chicken tenderloins dry and set aside.
- 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: Bread the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the flour mixture, then the egg wash, then back into the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off any excess. Tip: Use tongs instead of your fingers to avoid clumping.
- Step 5: Arrange in the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Place the coated chicken strips in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spray the tops with avocado oil.
- Step 6: Cook in the Air Fryer: Air Fry for 10 minutes total, flipping halfway through and spraying again with oil. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If needed, add 1-2 more minutes of cooking time. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken, working in batches; how many batches depends on the size of your air fryer. Keep chicken warm in the oven until ready to serve.
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.
How to Store Leftovers
Fridge: Store cooled tenders in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Freezer: Freeze on a parchment-lined tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
Reheat: Pop in the air fryer at 375°F for a few minutes to crisp them back up
Top Tips
- Keep the breading station organized for quick dipping.
- Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper after coating.
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket.
- Do not cover the chicken to keep warm, as the steam inside will soften the crispy coating.
Recipe FAQs
Cook for about 10 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway through.
Overcrowding the air fryer basket can cause soggy tenders. Make sure there's space between each piece and cook in batches.
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Printable Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloins (or 4 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips)
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil spray (or olive oil spray)
Breadcrumb Mixture
- ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon seasoning salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- ½ tablespoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Egg Coating
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon seasoning salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: If not using pre-cut tenderloins, slice chicken breasts into even strips.
- Make the Breadcrumb Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine Panko breadcrumbs, flour, seasoning salt, paprika, black pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Prepare the Egg Wash: In another shallow bowl, whisk eggs, milk, seasoning salt, and black pepper.
- Preheat the Air Fryer. Set your air fryer to 400℉.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, then the egg wash, then back into the breadcrumb mixture for a thick, flavorful coating.
- Air Fry. Arrange the coated chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Spray the tops with avocado oil. Air fry at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again. Cook until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Tip: If cooking in batches, keep finished tenders warm on a tray in a low oven (200°F).
- Serve. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as BBQ, honey mustard, buffalo, or sweet and sour.
Video
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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
The provided nutrition information is automatically calculated. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
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sue boettcher says
These tenders are SO crispy, so juicy and so easy! I usually have all of the ingredients in my pantry and I was looking for an alternative to grilling. Right place, right time to pick up your recipe on Pinterest. Thanks so much for the absolutely delicious star of my pasta salad.
Jeri Walker says
This comment made my day, Sue, thank you! 😀 Crispy, juicy, and easy is the goal every single time, so I'm thrilled they worked out for you! And now I'm thinking I need to serve these with pasta salad too… genius! 😊