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An overhead view of a plate holding air fryer chicken tenders. There is a bowl of honey mustard dipping sauce on the plate with the tenders.
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4.84 from 6 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

These healthy air fryer chicken tenders are coated in breadcrumbs and a blend of spices. They're crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and loaded with flavor. They're perfect for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time7 minutes
Total Time12 minutes
Course: Lunch/Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer chicken tenders
Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 lb organic boneless skinless chicken breast cut into strips
  • ½ cup seasoned Italian style breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 egg

Instructions

  • Place breadcrumbs, panko, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, sea salt and black pepper in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Crack an egg into another shallow bowl and whisk.
  • One by one, dredge each chicken tender in the egg bowl, wiping off any access and then dip each into the breadcrumb mixture. Roll until each tender is covered completely.
    A chicken tender being dredged in seasoning after being coated in an egg wash.
  • Preheat air fryer if required. Add chicken tenders to your air fryer in a single layer and cook at 400°F for 7-8 minutes, flipping once halfway. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket. If you have a thermometer, you can check to make sure the tenders have an internal temp of 165°F to ensure they are cooked through. Just know that cook time will vary depending on the size of your tenders.
    5 dredged chicken tenders spaced at the bottom of an air fryer basket.
  • Enjoy chicken immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
    5 air fried chicken tenders in an air fryer basket.

Notes

  • Chicken breast: I usually buy organic chicken breasts and cut into strips. It's cheaper than buying pre-cut chicken tenders and I personally hate dealing with the tendon that you'll typically find in store-bought tenders. That said, you can totally buy pre-cut chicken tenderloins if you prefer.
  • Oven option: If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake these chicken tenders in the oven at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken tenders are golden brown and completely cooked through. Pro tip: line your baking sheet with a wire rack. This will result in a crispier texture. 
  • Gluten-free: If you're looking for a gluten-free option try my recipe for baked chicken tenders instead. They're breaded with almond flour and coconut so they're gluten-free and paleo.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/4 of recipe | Calories: 229kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 575mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g