Jump to recipeTip: If you have the patience to wait and serve these all at once, hold the first batch of cooked tenders warm in a 200-degree oven until the second batch is finished.
Yields:
4 - 6 serving(s)
Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 15 mins
The more we experiment with air fryer recipes in The Pioneer Woman Test Kitchen, the more we are hooked on this handy appliance. Air fryer chicken tenders are our latest family-friendly, easy-to-get-on-the-table dinner obsession. This chicken recipe uses a buttermilk marinade to infuse the chicken with both flavor and moisture, while a breading of panko breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese gets blasted to golden and crispy perfection in the air fryer. If you only have chicken breasts on hand, go ahead and use those. Just cut the breasts into strips about 1 inch thick and continue on. Kids and adults alike will love these crisp, juicy tenders. Just don't forget the dipping sauces!
Can you put raw chicken in an air fryer?
Yes, you certainly can cook raw chicken in an air fryer. Think of the air fryer as a convenient, counter-top convection oven. With the exception of foods with high fat content, like bacon or sausage, most anything that you would roast in the oven can be cooked from its raw state in the air fryer.
How long do you look tenders in the air fryer?
These chicken tenders cook quickly in the air fryer. You'll first cook them for 8 minutes, then flip and cook them for an additional 4 to 6 minutes to ensure every inch of the tenders gets golden and crispy.
What temperature should I set my air fryer to when making chicken?
Using the right temperature in your air fryer, especially for a lean cut of meat like chicken tender or breast, is crucial for optimal taste. For this air fryer chicken tender recipe, we found that 380 degrees offered the happy medium of being low enough for the chicken to retain its moisture, but high enough to create a golden brown and crunchy coating.
What do you serve with air fryer chicken tenders?
Dipping sauces, of course! Stick with classic ketchup or up the ante with homemade ranch dressing, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or burger sauce (yep, it's great on chicken, too!). Pair the tenders with a basket of air fryer French fries and you've got your favorite fast food meal made right at home. These tenders are also delicious atop a salad or simply served alongside an easy vegetable side dish for a satisfying weeknight meal.
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Ingredients
- 2 lb. chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt, divided
- 3/4 tsp. black pepper, divided
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese (or 1/4 cup pre-grated parmesan cheese)
- Cooking spray, such as Pam Olive Oil
- Honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing, to serve
Directions
- Step 1In a zip-top plastic bag, combine the chicken tenders, buttermilk, 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Seal and massage the buttermilk mixture into the tenders. Let marinate for 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours, in the refrigerator.
- Step 2Meanwhile, place the flour on a small plate. In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs. In another wide, shallow bowl, combine the panko, parmesan, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of seasoned salt, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
- Step 3Using a pair of tongs, remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade (reserve the marinade) and place the chicken in a single layer on a paper-towel lined plate. Pour the remaining buttermilk marinade into the bowl with the eggs and whisk to combine.
- Step 4Working with 2 to 3 tenders at a time, dredge all over in the flour, dip in the egg mixture to coat completely, then dredge to coat completely in the panko mixture. Repeat until all the tenders are breaded. Spray all over both sides of each tender with cooking spray (olive oil spray gives great flavor!).
- Step 5Working in 2 batches, place the tenders in a single layer, with about 1/2 inch of space between each. Cook in the air fryer set at 380°F for 8 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reads 165°F, 4 to 6 minutes more. Repeat with the second batch of tenders. Serve immediately with dipping sauces such as honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing.
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