These air fryer chicken tenders are a firm family favorite, thanks to the cheesy and crispy breadcrumb coating. They come out super crunchy on the outside and perfectly juicy and tender on the inside. Making breaded chicken strips in my air fryer is just so quick and easy with 4 ingredients and less than 20 minutes!
Top Reader Reviews
So simple, easy & quick. And oh, SO TASTY
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Made this tonight, and we loved it! Made it exactly like the recipe, no spices, just salt and pepper. Excellent flavor, with no bad aftertaste like tenders fried in oil. We were amazed at how crispy they were. Next time I’ll spray olive or avocado oil on the air fryer rack, there was just a little sticking, but that was ok too, because we picked the rack and ate the stickies. Thank you so much for this easy great recipe.
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Homemade Breaded Air-fried Chicken Strips
As a busy mom of two, this air-fried chicken tenders recipe is a lifesaver! Not only are these easy to make, but they’re healthier than the typical fried strips. My kids request them time and time again, and I’m so happy I can cook them up for easy meals with a moment’s notice. Mixing cheese right into the breaded coating makes these chicken strips irresistible, but you don’t have to make them cheesy…if you really don’t want to. Herbs and spices can be used instead to make the flavor just right!
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Don’t Overcrowd the Basket!
Air fryers rely on air circulation to create a crispy crust, so make sure you leave a little room between the chicken tenders. If the chicken strips are touching in the air fryer, the sides will steam and turn out soggy. So cook in batches if needed.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders (*)
- kosher salt (to taste)
- ground black pepper (to taste)
- 2 large eggs
- 1¼ cups Panko breadcrumbs (**)
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper to taste.2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders, kosher salt, ground black pepper
- Whisk eggs in a shallow dish.2 large eggs
- In a separate shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.1¼ cups Panko breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Dip each chicken tender in the egg mixture.
- Then coat in the breadcrumbs.
- Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer.
- Cook at 400°F for 8 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through.
Notes
- Be sure to coat all sides of the chicken tenders with the breadcrumb mixture, so that they get crisp in the Air Fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; the chicken tenders should be placed in a single layer. Cook them in two batches if needed.
- Check that the internal temperature of the tenders is at least 165°F before serving.
- These chicken fingers can also be tossed in a sauce after air-frying. Try Buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, or teriyaki sauce!
- Seasoning Ideas: I’ve tried Italian seasoning, chicken seasoning, herbs de Provence, taco seasoning, and cajun seasoning, and they’re all delicious! Use any combination of herbs and spices you like.
Note: Water, salt, pepper, oil, and broth are not counted as ingredients on this site.
Watch one of our trusted recipe testers make this!
Kristina made these perfectly-golden, crispy tenders to show us how easy they are.
How to Make Crispy Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer Step by Step
Season the Chicken Tenders: Season 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken tenders with salt and pepper to taste. If using chicken breasts, cut them into thin strips first.
Bread the Chicken: Whisk 2 large eggs in a shallow dish. As part of the dredging process, egg helps the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken strips. In another shallow dish, combine 1¼ cups of Panko breadcrumbs with ⅓ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Feel free to add more salt and pepper to taste, or any other seasonings you like. Dip each chicken tender in the egg mixture, then fully coat all sides in the breadcrumbs.
Fill the Basket: Place the breaded chicken tenders in the basket of your Air Fryer. If you’re worried about sticking, first spray the basket with a non-stick cooking spray.
Air Fry the Chicken Tenders: Cook chicken strips in the Air Fryer at 400°F for 4 minutes, then flip and cook another 4 minutes (8 minutes total).
Serve: Serve crispy chicken tenders hot with your favorite dipping sauce. My kids love these with chick-fil-a sauce or ketchup. I love them with BBQ sauce!
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 375°F for about 4 minutes until warmed through. Add a few extra minutes if reheating from frozen.
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