Total Time: 40 mins
Difficulty: Low
Serves: 4 people
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
For an easy chicken tender recipe, try these chicken tenders, which are juicy and spiced with a wonderful crunchy coating. While it may seem that these require some effort to make, they are extremely easy to prepare for a quick weeknight dinner.
All you have to do is make an egg mixture with eggs and different seasonings along with a breadcrumb mixture with breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, and parmesan. Then, chicken tenders get dipped in the egg mixture followed by the breadcrumb mixture until they are coated. Finally, they are cooked in an air fryer for 20 minutes. At this point, you can get the other components of your dinner ready so you can have an entire meal ready when the chicken tenders are cooked.
What are Chicken Tenders?
Chicken tenders are made with the tender part of chicken breasts, known as chicken tenders. Often, chicken tenders are breaded and baked in the oven before being served with dipping sauces like BBQ sauce or plum sauce. This version of chicken tenders includes parmesan cheese in the breadcrumb coating which helps them become golden brown while giving them a salty, cheesy flavor.
Pro Tips
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Use separate hands when dipping the chicken tenders in the wet and dry ingredients to prevent breading from clumping on your fingers.
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If the breading appears patchy, dab some extra egg mixture on the bare spots and re-coat with breadcrumbs.
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Add other spices or herbs like oregano, cayenne, or onion powder to suit your taste.
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No parmesan? Substitute with pecorino romano or asiago.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Serve with Chicken Tenders?
Serve with BBQ sauce or plum sauce, along with fries, coleslaw, or salad for a complete meal.
What if I Can’t Find Chicken Tenders?
Use sliced chicken breast strips as a substitute.
Why Aren’t the Chicken Tenders Becoming Crispy?
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Space allows air to circulate and ensures crispiness.
Can I Assemble Chicken Tenders Ahead of Time?
Assembling in advance may cause sogginess. It’s best to cook immediately. You can pre-cook and reheat when ready to serve.
How to Store Chicken Tenders
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. Reheat in the air fryer to restore crispiness.
Ingredients
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500g chicken tenders
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1 egg
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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Parsley (to taste)
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Garlic powder (to taste)
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Salt & pepper (to taste)
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100g breadcrumbs
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50g panko breadcrumbs
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Grated parmesan cheese (to taste)
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Olive oil spray
