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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Easy Recipe for Perfect Golden Crunch

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This recipe delivers tender chicken tenders with a perfectly crispy, golden crust using an air fryer for a healthier, less greasy alternative to deep frying. Quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing, it’s perfect for any meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds chicken breast tenders, trimmed
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or plain yogurt thinned with milk)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder
  • Cooking spray or oil mister

Instructions

  1. Rinse and pat dry chicken tenders. Soak in 1 cup buttermilk, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  2. Prepare dredging stations: mix flour with salt and pepper in one bowl; beat eggs in second bowl; mix panko breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and optional cayenne in third bowl.
  3. Remove tenders from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each tender in flour mixture, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumb mixture. Place on a plate or baking sheet.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Arrange tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook in batches if necessary.
  6. Lightly mist tenders with cooking spray or oil mister.
  7. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through (around 5-6 minutes), until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  8. Let tenders rest for a couple of minutes before serving to set the crust.

Notes

Use panko breadcrumbs for best crunch. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness. Flip tenders halfway through cooking. Rest tenders after cooking to set crust. For gluten-free, substitute flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free versions. For dairy-free, substitute buttermilk with plant-based milk plus acid. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken tenders, air fryer chicken, easy chicken recipe, golden crunch chicken, healthy fried chicken, kid-friendly chicken, quick dinner

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-tenders-easy-recipe-for-perfect-golden-crunch/