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These crispy, golden brown Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are quick and easy to make and so much better than store-bought! They require minimal oil but get ultra crunchy in the air fryer in just 10 minutes. Serve them with a homemade creamy dijon sauce for a fun appetizer or lunch!
We are all about breaded air fryer appetizers in our house (like these air fryer chicken bites)! It’s seriously the best way to get golden brown, crispy snacks without all the oil of deep frying.
These air fryer mozzarella sticks and air fryer jalapeño poppers have quickly become our go-to snacks for game day, and for fancier dinner parties, we love serving these crispy, breaded air fryer ravioli.
But nothing beats a childhood classic, right?! Chicken tenders (also called chicken strips or chicken fingers) take me back to my childhood, so I had to try a homemade version in the air fryer. Like this air fryer mac and cheese.
You guys, these chicken tenders do not disappoint! Crispy on the outside and tender and juicy in the middle. They go perfectly with some duck fat parmesan truffle fries or air fryer frozen french fries, and everything gets dipped in the creamy dijon sauce!
You might also like these crispy sous vide chicken tenders!
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Why this recipe works
- You need just a light spritz of oil on these chicken tenders to get them ultra crispy in the air fryer!
- Using chicken tenders saves time as you don’t need to fuss with cutting chicken breasts into strips.
- The air fryer frees up oven space for other appetizer recipes like these spicy glazed Asian wings or these baked parsnip fries.
- They’re great for meal prepping. You can air fry them, store them in the fridge or freezer, and just reheat them in the air fryer when ready to enjoy!
Related: Do You Have to Thaw Chicken Before Air Frying?
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What is an Air Fryer?
The Air Fryer is a healthier alternative to frying foods. It's basically a small, powerful convection oven that sits on your countertop.
It circulates hot air around the food you're cooking, which is what gives it that crisp texture that mimics fried food (without all the grease).
Read more about the health benefits of using an air fryer.
I personally use this Ninja MAX XL Air Fryer because it hold 5.5 quarts, which is more than most. It has worked great so far and we just love how easy it is to use!
Ingredients
For the full list of ingredients and quantities, please see the recipe card below.
You’ll need 1 pound of chicken breast tenders for this recipe. This is the strip of chicken that is attached to the underside of the breast. You can buy packages of tenders at the grocery store or, if you can only get chicken breasts, you can remove the tenders yourself by gently pulling them off the breast.
You’ll need 2 eggs whisked together for the egg wash.
For an extra crispy coating, the recipe calls for 1 cup of plain panko breadcrumbs. You can use white or whole wheat.
To season the breadcrumbs, you’ll add a simple mix of salt, paprika and black pepper.
Some of the key ingredients for the creamy dijon dipping sauce include mayonnaise, mustard, honey and hot sauce.
For the base of the sauce, you’ll need ½ cup of mayonnaise and I like to use Kewpie as it’s richer than other types of mayo with a umami flavor. If you can’t find Kewpie, any kind of mayo will do.
Dijon mustard adds a sharp, tangy flavor, but honey mustard and honey are added to tame the sharp flavor and add a subtle sweetness.
A teaspoon of Louisiana hot sauce is added for a little heat. You can use any kind of hot sauce, or you can leave it out for a milder dipping sauce.
Step by step instructions
Combine the breadcrumbs and seasonings together and mix to combine well.
Spray the air fryer basket lightly with spray oil.
Dip the chicken tenders in the beaten egg mixture, then in the panko breadcrumb mixture.
Place in the air fryer. Continue placing chicken tenders in a single layer (you'll need to cook in 2-3 batches).
Lightly spray the chicken with oil.
Cook at 400F degrees for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Remove and serve hot with creamy Dijon dipping sauce.
How to make creamy dijon dipping sauce
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and whip to combine.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
Other dip options
If you like a variety of dipping sauces for your chicken tenders, here are a few other options:
- Homemade Barbecue Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
- Spicy Cajun Remoulade Sauce
- Avocado Dip
- Honey
- Sweet and Sour Sauce
Expert tips
- Feel free to change up the seasoning by adding different herbs and spices to the panko crumb mixture. You can even add a little shredded parmesan cheese.
- To keep your fingers clean, use tongs to transfer the chicken tenders from the egg wash to the panko crumb mixture.
- For extra crispy tenders, lightly press the crumbs into the chicken and spray with oil before air frying. Instead of cooking spray, use an oil sprayer and fill it with your favorite oil.
- For even cooking, air fry the chicken tenders in a single layer and don’t overcrowd them. This will require cooking them in 2-3 batches.
- To brown the chicken tenders evenly, be sure to flip them halfway through air frying.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken tenders as they will dry out. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer. They’re done when the internal temperature reaches 165F degrees.
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should preheat it before adding the first batch of chicken tenders.
- Different air fryer brands and models will vary slightly, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Common questions
For the best results, you’ll want to air fry the chicken tenders at 400F degrees. The high heat will quickly crisp up the panko coating and fully cook the chicken without drying it out.
At 400F degrees, it will only take 10 minutes per batch. Just keep in mind that you will need to air fry them in 2-3 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer. So, the total time may be 20-30 minutes.
Panko crumbs have a coarse texture, whereas regular breadcrumbs have a soft, fine texture. For the crispiest coating, I recommend using panko breadcrumbs.
Yes, if you can’t find chicken tenders, you can just use 1 pound of chicken breasts and cut them into strips.
Storage, freezing and reheating
If you have leftovers or want to make them in advance, you can store cooked tenders in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge.
You can also freeze cooked chicken tenders for up to 3 months.
To reheat them from the fridge or freezer, just place them in the air fryer and air fry them at 350F degrees until the coating is crispy again and the chicken is heated through.
More air fryer appetizer recipes
- Air Fryer Tater Tots
- Air Fryer Chicken Karaage
- Air Fryer Popcorn Shrimp
- Air Fryer Artichokes
- Air Fryer Okra
- Air Fryer Pizza Rolls
If you love this recipe, leave a comment below and let us know your favorite thing about it. We'd also love to connect on Instagram! Follow us at @went_here_8_this for awesome recipes and all sorts of fun food stuff 🙂
Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Creamy Dijon Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast tenders
- 1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 eggs beaten
Creamy Dijon Dipping Sauce:
- ½ cup mayonnaise I used Kewpie, but any will do
- 1 tablespoon honey mustard
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Louisiana hot sauce
Instructions
- Combine the breadcrumbs and seasonings together and mix to combine well.
- Spray the air fryer basket lightly with spray oil.
- Dip the chicken tenders in the beaten egg mixture, then in the panko breadcrumb mixture.
- Place in the air fryer. Continue placing chicken tenders in a single layer (you'll need to cook in 2-3 batches).
- Lightly spray the chicken with oil. Cook at 400F degrees for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Remove and serve hot with creamy Dijon dipping sauce.
Creamy Dijon Dipping Sauce:
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and whip to combine. Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.
Expert Tips:
- Feel free to change up the seasoning by adding different herbs and spices to the panko crumb mixture. You can even add a little shredded parmesan cheese.
- To keep your fingers clean, use tongs to transfer the chicken tenders from the egg wash to the panko crumb mixture.
- For extra crispy tenders, lightly press the crumbs into the chicken and spray with oil before air frying. Instead of cooking spray, use an oil sprayer and fill it with your favorite oil.
- For even cooking, air fry the chicken tenders in a single layer and don’t overcrowd them. This will require cooking them in 2-3 batches.
- To brown the chicken tenders evenly, be sure to flip them halfway through air frying.
- Be careful not to overcook the chicken tenders as they will dry out. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer. They’re done when the internal temperature reaches 165F degrees.
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, you should preheat it before adding the first batch of chicken tenders.
- Different air fryer brands and models will vary slightly, so you may need to adjust the temperature and air frying time slightly.
Nutrition
Safiya
My kids loved it. I am all about preparing quick and healthy meals for my kids. Making this air fryer tender was easier than preparing store-bought chicken nuggets. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Danielle
I'm so happy to hear that, thanks!
Gwynn
I love cooking in my air fryer and this recipe is a keeper. The Creamy Dijon Dipping Sauce was amazing!
Danielle
The sauce is our favorite part too 🙂
Beth
I actually just bought a pack of chicken tenders on sale yesterday, and I've been trying to decide what to do with them. Looks like I'm air frying them! This looks really good.
Danielle
Yay! I hope you love them 🙂
Toni
This is so perfect!! And I love how easy this is to make!
Danielle
Thanks!
Katherine
I love these air fryer tenders, and that sauce is amazing!
Danielle
Thanks!