Crispy, juicy, and flavorful air-fried chicken tenders are a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken. Made with a simple breading of flour, spices, and herbs, these tenders are coated in a flavorful marinade before being cooked to perfection in an air fryer. The result is a tender and juicy chicken tender with a crispy, golden-brown exterior. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious and satisfying meal.
This article provides three variations of the air-fried chicken tender recipe:
1. **Classic Air-Fried Chicken Tenders:** This recipe uses a classic breading of flour, spices, and herbs to create a crispy and flavorful coating.
2. **Buffalo Air-Fried Chicken Tenders:** These tenders are coated in a spicy and tangy buffalo sauce, perfect for those who love a little heat.
3. **Honey Garlic Air-Fried Chicken Tenders:** A sweet and savory combination of honey and garlic creates a delicious glaze for these tenders.
All three recipes are easy to follow and can be made in under 30 minutes. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a party appetizer, these air-fried chicken tenders are sure to be a hit.
CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS/STRIPS
Make sure to cut your chicken into even sizes so they can all cook with the same timing. For extra flavor, add dried onion powder to the chicken before breading them.
Provided by Diane
Categories Main Course Snack
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Cut the chicken into strips. Make sure they are even sized so that they cook evenly. The thicker they are, the longer they will take to cook. Season chicken strips salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Set aside.
- Put the panko bread crumbs in a bowl. In another bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. Dredge chicken cutlets strips in egg, then panko bread crumbs. Press chicken cutlet into the bowl of panko bread crumbs so that they completely coat the chicken cutlet. Repeat this process for all chicken pieces.
- In large frying pan, heat about 1/4-inch of oil to about 375°F. An instant-read thermometer is great to regulate oil temp. Do not let oil get too hot or else the chicken strips will burn on outside and still be raw on inside. When the oil is hot, add the coated chicken in a single layer.
- Fry the chicken until golden brown on both sides and until the chicken is fully cooked in the center, about 3-5 minutes, depending on oil temperature and how big the chicken is cut.
- Serve warm with your favorite dip: ketchup, mustard, bbq sauce or ranch dressing.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 290 kcal, Carbohydrate 22 g, Protein 32 g, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Cholesterol 178 mg, Sodium 392 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
AIR FRYER CHICKEN STRIPS
Simple, basic air-fried chicken strips that are crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed full of flavor. Dip in ranch or your favorite dipping sauce.
Provided by Soup Loving Nicole
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken
Time 40m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Combine flour, paprika, parsley, seasoned salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Beat egg in a separate bowl.
- Dredge each chicken strip first in the seasoned flour, then in beaten egg, then back in the seasoned flour.
- Place as many strips in the basket as you can without overcrowding. Lightly mist the tops of the strips with cooking spray. Cook for 8 minutes. Flip strips over and lightly mist the tops with more cooking spray. Cook for 8 minutes more. Repeat with any remaining strips.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 236.4 calories, Carbohydrate 17.5 g, Cholesterol 100.2 mg, Fat 4.8 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 28.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 228.2 mg, Sugar 0.2 g
EXTRA-CRISPY FRIED CHICKEN STRIPS
These extra-crispy fried chicken tender strips are sure to satisfy even your pickiest eater! Enjoy with dipping sauces like honey or honey mustard, or eat them plain!
Provided by Steven McCune
Time 35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Combine flour, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix eggs and water together in a small bowl.
- Place some chicken strips in the flour mixture to coat, then gently shake to remove any excess flour. Coat strips in egg. Return to the flour mixture and coat again; repeat with egg mixture. Coat once more in the flour mixture, placing strips on a plate while you continue with remaining chicken.
- Let strips sit for 5 minutes to allow flour to set.
- Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C); oil is ready if you drop some water in and it sizzles.
- Working in batches if needed, place strips in the hot oil. Cook for 8 minutes. Turn over and continue to cook until golden brown, no longer pink in the centers, and juices run clear, about 8 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Place strips on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 517.5 calories, Carbohydrate 36.7 g, Cholesterol 196.7 mg, Fat 19.3 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 46.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 562.6 mg, Sugar 0.3 g
Tips:
- Use a good quality air fryer. This will ensure that your chicken tenders are cooked evenly and crispy.
- Preheat your air fryer. This will help the chicken tenders to cook more quickly and evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will prevent the chicken tenders from cooking evenly.
- Cook the chicken tenders in batches if necessary. This will ensure that they are all cooked evenly.
- Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking. This will help the chicken tenders to cook evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken tenders. They are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Let the chicken tenders rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help them to retain their juices.
Conclusion:
Air-fried chicken tenders are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional fried chicken tenders. They are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and they are much lower in fat and calories. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make a delicious and healthy meal, then air-fried chicken tenders are the perfect option for you.
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