Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Tenders (Printable)

Juicy chicken tenders with seasoned, crunchy crust air-fried to golden crisp for a healthier classic twist.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

→ Breading

02 - 3/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Coating

10 - 2 large eggs
11 - 2 tbsp low-fat milk
12 - Olive oil spray

# Method:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
02 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
03 - In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and low-fat milk until combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then coat evenly with breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Place coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray both sides with olive oil spray.
07 - Cook in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
08 - Serve hot with your preferred dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It gives you that deep-fried crunch without the mess or the heavy feeling afterward.
  • The whole thing comes together in less than half an hour, which is perfect when youre hungry and impatient.
  • You can tweak the spices to match whatever mood youre in, smoky, garlicky, or even a little spicy.
02 -
  • If you skip drying the chicken, the breading will slide right off in the air fryer, I learned that the hard way.
  • Don't overcrowd the basket, even if it means cooking in batches, the hot air needs space to circulate or youll end up with soggy spots.
03 -
  • Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken firmly but gently, you want them to stick without squishing the meat.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 10 minutes, every model is a little different and you don't want to overcook them.
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