Golden Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe 

Golden, crispy chicken tenders are on many people's favorite food lists, including mine. Admittedly, they reside on my list of guilty pleasures. With their irresistible crispiness on the outside and moistness on the inside, it's hard to resist their allure. Moreover, for many, they evoke fond memories of childhood. However, it's worth noting that chicken tenders, typically made from chicken breasts, become the fattiest when deep-fried, not to mention the additional ingredients like bread crumbs and buttermilk, which contribute to their high-calorie content.

Fortunately, there are healthier alternatives to preparing chicken tenders, such as baking, pan-frying, or air-frying. These methods help reduce the fat and calorie content of the beloved dish. Among these alternatives, my personal favorite and go-to method is using an air fryer. The air fryer method provides excellent convenience with just a few simple steps, removing the necessity for continuous monitoring. Additionally, it's incredibly easy to clean, and best of all, it requires no oil whatsoever.

As a devoted fan of golden, crispy chicken tenders, I find great joy in this air fryer chicken tenders recipe, which may just be one of your new favorite air fryer chicken recipes.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

1. Cut the skinless chicken breast into strips. Use a sharp knife to slice the skinless chicken breast lengthwise into even strips. The thickness of the strips can vary based on personal preference, but aim for around 1/2 to 3/4 inch (1.3 to 1.9 cm) thick. Cutting against the meat's grain can help ensure tenderness in the cooked chicken tenders.

2. Mix the pickle juice and unbreaded chicken tenders in a spacious bowl, ensuring the chicken is completely immersed in the pickle juice. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours. This brining process will work its magic by tenderizing the raw chicken and imparting it with delicious flavors.

3. After brining, remove the raw chicken tenders from the pickle juice and pat them dry using paper towels.

4. In a shallow bowl or dish, thoroughly blend together whole wheat flour, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ginger powder, salt, and black pepper, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.

5. Take each chicken strip and submerge it in the beaten eggs, ensuring a complete and even coating.

6. Coat the chicken strip in the flour mixture by gently pressing it to ensure the coating adheres thoroughly. Repeat this process for all the chicken strips, ensuring each one is evenly coated.

7. To prevent sticking, apply a light coating of cooking spray to the air fryer basket.

8. To prevent sticking, apply a light coating of cooking spray to the air fryer basket.

9. Air fry the chicken tenders at a temperature of 400°F (200°C) for approximately 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. This will allow the chicken tenders to achieve a desirable golden brown color and a crispy texture.

10. After cooking, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.

11. Serve the air-fried chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside a side salad for a complete and balanced meal. Once you are done, don't forget to clean up your air fryer, as it does leave some residue behind. 

Preheat the air fryer: Preheating the air fryer before cooking the chicken tenders is crucial. This helps achieve a crispier exterior and ensures even cooking throughout.

Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket: Arrange the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with enough space between each strip. Avoid overcrowding, which can result in uneven cooking and diminish the desired crispiness.

Add Some Heat: If you love heat in your air-fried chicken tenders, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the mix.

What Ingredients You Will Need To Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts are popular for making air fryer chicken tenders because they are lean and tender. They provide a notable protein content and are comparatively low in fat, making them an excellent source of dietary protein. A boneless, skinless option removes unnecessary fat and makes chicken tenders healthier.

You can use chicken tenderloin in this air fryer recipe and make air fryer chicken tenderloins. However, breasts tend to be leaner than chicken tenderloins. They contain less fat and fewer calories per ounce, which can contribute to a healthier dish.

If you opt for raw chicken tenderloins, note that they tend to be smaller and narrower. They may result in smaller, thinner chicken tenders that could cook faster and have a different texture. However, if you prefer the flavor or convenience of chicken tenderloins, you can certainly use them as a substitute in this recipe and make air fryer chicken tenderloins. 

Check out chicken thighs or drumsticks instead if you want a juicy cut.

Pickle Juice

Pickle juice refers to the liquid in which pickles are brined, giving them distinctive flavor. It typically consists of vinegar, salt, water, and various spices. The vinegar's acidity helps tenderize the chicken and infuse it with a tangy and slightly salty flavor. The pickle juice also adds a unique twist to the traditional chicken tender recipe.

Whole Wheat Flour

Whole wheat flour is a healthier substitute for refined white flour, offering greater nutritional value and benefits. It is made from grinding whole wheat kernels, meaning it retains more fiber, vitamins, and minerals than white flour. The whole wheat flour provides a crispy coating for the air-fried chicken tenders while adding a nutty flavor.

Paprika

Paprika is a spice derived from the drying and grinding of red peppers. It is a flavorful and vibrant addition to dishes. It adds a subtle smokiness and a mild, slightly sweet flavor to the air-fried chicken tenders. The vibrant red color of paprika also contributes to the appealing appearance of the finished dish. If paprika is not available, there are paprika alternatives you can use.

Garlic Powder

Garlic powder is created by dehydrating garlic cloves and grinding them into a fine powder, producing a concentrated form of garlic flavor. It imparts a savory and slightly sweet flavor to the air fryer chicken tenders, enhancing their taste. Garlic powder offers a convenient method to infuse dishes with garlic essence, eliminating the requirement for fresh garlic cloves.

Onion Powder

Onion powder is produced by finely grinding dehydrated onions, resulting in a powdered form that provides a concentrated onion flavor to recipes. It adds a mild onion flavor to the chicken tenders, complementing the other spices. Onion powder is a versatile ingredient commonly used in various dishes for its ability to provide a subtle onion taste.

Salt And Black Pepper

Salt and black pepper are essential seasonings that play a vital role in enhancing the flavors of air fryer chicken tenders. Salt enhances the overall taste, while black pepper adds a hint of mild spiciness. Together, they provide a well-balanced seasoning to the dish.

Eggs

Beaten eggs are used as a binding agent in the recipe. They help the flour mixture adhere to the chicken strips, creating a crispy coating. Eggs also add moisture and contribute to the overall texture of the chicken tenders.

Cooking Spray

Cooking spray is a convenient way to lightly coat the air fryer basket, preventing the air fryer chicken tenders from sticking during the cooking process. This air fryer method allows for a crispy exterior to be achieved without requiring excessive oil, thereby reducing the overall fat content of the dish.

Ginger

Ginger powder is derived from drying and grinding the ginger root, a popular spice known for its unique flavor and various health benefits. It has a warm, slightly spicy, and pungent taste that can add a subtle kick to dishes.

Panko Bread Crumbs

Panko bread crumbs, which originate from Japan, are created using crustless white bread, resulting in a unique type of breadcrumb. The bread is processed into large flakes rather than finely ground, resulting in a lighter and crisper texture than regular breadcrumbs.

Panko bread crumbs are renowned for their exceptional ability to produce a crispy coating when used in frying or baking various foods. Adding panko bread crumbs to the recipe can elevate the texture and crispiness of the air fryer chicken tenders.