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The Ultimate Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Breaded & Unbreaded Options)

Close-up of a stack of golden brown, crispy air fryer chicken tenders, one cut open showing juicy white meat.
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Make incredibly crispy, juicy chicken tenders fast using your air fryer. This recipe gives you two ways to cook them: classic breaded or quick unbreaded, perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • Cooking spray or 1 teaspoon oil for brushing
  • For Breading Option:
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • For Unbreaded Option:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken strips completely dry with paper towels. This step helps achieve crispiness.
  2. Season the chicken: In a medium bowl, toss the chicken strips with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until evenly coated.
  3. Choose your method: Decide if you are making the breaded or unbreaded tenders.
  4. If using the Breading Option: Set up a dredging station. Place flour in one shallow dish, beaten egg in a second, and panko breadcrumbs in a third. Dip each seasoned chicken strip first in flour (shaking off excess), then in egg, and finally press firmly into the panko breadcrumbs.
  5. If using the Unbreaded Option: Toss the seasoned chicken strips with 1 tablespoon of oil until lightly coated.
  6. Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  7. Arrange the chicken: Place the tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; work in batches if necessary.
  8. Cook the tenders: Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes for the unbreaded option, or 12 to 14 minutes for the breaded option.
  9. Flip and spray: Halfway through cooking (around 6 minutes), flip the tenders and lightly spray the tops with cooking spray or brush with a tiny bit of oil for extra browning.
  10. Check for doneness: The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the exterior is golden brown and crispy.
  11. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • For the breaded version, spray the coated tenders lightly with oil before the first cook cycle to help the breading crisp up quickly.
  • If you want extra crunchy breaded tenders, lightly spray the breaded tenders again after flipping them halfway through cooking.
  • For the unbreaded version, ensure the chicken is very dry before tossing with oil; this prevents steaming and promotes a better sear.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingzenith.com/air-fryer-chicken-tenders/