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breaded air fryer chicken tenders crispy golden panko wooden board

Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

The Chicken
  • 1 1/2 lbs chicken tenderloins - or chicken breasts cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
Breading Station
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - GF: use rice flour
  • 2 large eggs - beaten with 1 tbsp water
  • 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper - optional omit for mild
For Cooking
  • avocado oil spray - or olive oil spray

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Season all over with salt and pepper. This step is critical - moisture stops the flour from sticking.
    patting chicken tenders dry with paper towels breading prep
  2. Set up 3 shallow bowls: Bowl 1 with flour, Bowl 2 with beaten eggs, Bowl 3 with panko mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, and cayenne.
    three bowl breading station flour egg panko for chicken tenders
  3. Dredge each tender in flour (shake off excess), dip in egg wash (let excess drip), then press firmly into seasoned panko on all sides. Use your fingers to press the crumbs in.
    pressing breaded chicken tender into panko coating both hands
  4. Place breaded tenders on a wire rack or plate in a single layer. Rest 10 minutes at room temperature before cooking. This bonds the coating to the chicken.
    breaded chicken tenders resting on wire rack before air frying
  5. Preheat air fryer to 400F (200C) for 3 to 5 minutes with the empty basket inside.
    air fryer preheating to 400F for chicken tenders
  6. Spray the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange tenders in a single layer with space between each piece. Spray the tops generously until no dry white spots remain on the panko.
    spraying oil on breaded chicken tenders in air fryer basket single layer
  7. Air fry at 400F for 10 to 12 minutes. Flip at 5 to 6 minutes and spray the second side with oil. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165F.
    golden crispy breaded chicken tenders in air fryer basket cooked 165F
  8. Rest on a wire rack for 2 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately with dipping sauces.
    breaded air fryer chicken tenders served with honey mustard dipping sauce