There’s nothing quite like a crispy, juicy chicken tender—especially when it's made in an air fryer. The beauty of cooking with an air fryer is that you can achieve that perfect golden crunch with a fraction of the oil you'd normally use for deep frying. These air fryer chicken tenders are simple to make, delicious, and perfect for a weeknight dinner, a party appetizer, or a kid-friendly snack. Bonus: They’re much healthier than the traditional fried version, but they taste just as good!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast tenders (or boneless chicken breasts cut into strips)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crispiness)
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil spray (or your preferred cooking spray)

Instructions:

1. Prep the Chicken:

   • If you're using whole chicken breasts, cut them into 1-inch strips. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to help the breading stick.

2. Set Up the Dipping Stations:

   • In one shallow bowl, add the flour and season it with a pinch of salt and pepper.
   • In another shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.
   • In a third shallow bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

3. Coat the Chicken:

   • Dredge each chicken strip in the flour, ensuring it’s fully coated. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off, and then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs stick.

4. Preheat the Air Fryer:

   • Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes, depending on your model.

5. Air Fry the Chicken Tenders:

   • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket, leaving a little space between each piece. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
   • Air fry at 400°F for 8-10 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For extra crispiness, lightly spray the tenders with more olive oil halfway through the cooking time.

6. Serve:

   • Once the tenders are crispy and cooked through, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes.
   • Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, like ranch, honey mustard, or classic buffalo sauce.

Conclusion:

These air fryer chicken tenders are the perfect balance of crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and super easy to make. The air fryer gives them that satisfying crunch without all the mess and extra oil of deep frying. Whether you're making a quick dinner for the family or serving them at your next get-together, these tenders are sure to be a hit every time.

Tips:

• For extra flavor: Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for 30 minutes before breading it. This will make the tenders even juicier and add a subtle tang.
• Try different coatings: Feel free to swap out the panko for regular breadcrumbs, or add some seasoning like cayenne pepper for a little heat.
• No dipping sauces? No problem: These tenders are tasty enough on their own, but dipping sauces definitely take them to the next level!

With crispy, golden goodness in every bite, these air fryer chicken tenders are sure to become a family favorite! Perfect for satisfying those cravings without the guilt.