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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.2 from 13 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 24 minutes (including 20 minutes minimum marinating time)
  • Yield: 4 servings

Description

Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Tenders marinated in a spiced buttermilk mixture, coated with seasoned panko breadcrumbs, and cooked to perfection using an air fryer. This quick and easy recipe delivers tender chicken with a crispy crust, perfect for a delicious snack or meal.

Ingredients

Chicken and Marinade

  • 2 pounds Chicken tenderloins
  • 2 cups Buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper

Coating

  • 2 Large eggs
  • 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper

Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil or cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken tenders: Place the raw chicken tenderloins on a cutting board, remove the tendon by piercing it with a fork, gripping the end with a paper towel, and peeling away the silver skin carefully. Trim any excess fat or connective tissue for clean tenderloins.
  2. Make the marinade and marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Submerge the chicken tenders into this seasoned buttermilk and marinate for at least 20 minutes or preferably overnight for better flavor and tenderness.
  3. Prepare the coating: In one shallow bowl, beat the eggs. In another shallow bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper thoroughly to create a flavorful breading mix.
  4. Coat the chicken tenders: Remove a chicken tender from the marinade, dip it into the beaten eggs to coat completely, then dredge it thoroughly in the seasoned panko breadcrumb mixture. Shake off any excess breadcrumbs to ensure an even crust.
  5. Preheat and prepare the air fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or cooking spray. Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer inside the basket without overlapping to ensure even cooking.
  6. Air fry the chicken tenders: Cook the chicken at 400°F (204°C) for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time to brown both sides evenly and achieve a crispy texture.
  7. Serve and enjoy: Once cooked through and golden brown, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces like BBQ sauce or Ranch dressing for a delicious appetizer or meal.

Notes

  • For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to enhance flavor and tenderness.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary for crispy chicken tenders.
  • Use cooking spray or olive oil to help the coating crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
  • If you prefer extra crispy tenders, lightly spray the coated chicken with oil before air frying.
  • Chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Main Course, Snack
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

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