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A plate full of golden brown, crispy chicken tenders made in an air fryer.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Make delicious, crispy chicken tenders in your air fryer. This recipe is quick and easy, perfect for a weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into tenders
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For Cooking
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or cooking spray

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Tongs

Method
 

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. In a shallow bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  3. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the eggs.
  4. In a third shallow bowl, place the flour.
  5. Dredge each chicken tender first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off. Finally, coat it thoroughly with the panko mixture, pressing gently to help the breadcrumbs adhere.
  6. Lightly grease your air fryer basket or line it with parchment paper. Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. You may need to cook in batches.
  7. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  8. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

For extra crispy tenders, ensure your panko is fresh and don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for a little heat.

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