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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Juicy Inside, Crunchy Outside

A stack of golden brown, crispy air fryer chicken tenders, with one piece cut in half showing the white, juicy interior.
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Make these easy, breaded air fryer chicken tenders for a quick, healthy weeknight dinner or snack. They come out golden and crunchy without deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • Cooking spray (oil-based)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken tenders completely dry using paper towels. This helps the breading stick and promotes crispiness.
  2. Set up a standard breading station with three shallow dishes. In the first dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well.
  3. In the second dish, place the beaten eggs.
  4. In the third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
  5. Take one chicken tender at a time and dredge it first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
  6. Dip the floured tender into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off.
  7. Press the tender firmly into the panko breadcrumbs, coating all sides evenly. Place the breaded tender on a clean plate. Repeat with all tenders.
  8. Lightly spray both sides of the breaded tenders with cooking spray. This is key for golden color and crispiness.
  9. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees Fahrenheit (195 degrees Celsius).
  10. Arrange the tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
  11. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through the cooking time.
  12. The chicken tenders are done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
  13. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the breaded tenders again with cooking spray just before placing them in the air fryer.
  • If you prefer a no-breading option, skip steps 2 through 5. Instead, toss the dry tenders in 1 tablespoon of olive oil and your seasonings before air frying at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, flipping once.
  • This recipe makes a family-friendly air fryer meal that kids approve of.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/air-fryer-chicken-tenders/