Description
Crispy and tender air fryer chicken tenders marinated in buttermilk and coated with panko breadcrumbs for the perfect golden finish. This recipe offers a healthier twist on classic fried chicken tenders, ready in under an hour with minimal oil.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lbs chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
Coating
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Start by placing the chicken tenders in a bowl and pouring the buttermilk over them. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator to tenderize and add flavor.
- Prepare the Coating Stations: In separate medium bowls, prepare the flour; whisk the eggs gently with a fork; and mix the Panko bread crumbs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder evenly combined.
- Dry the Chicken: Remove the chicken tenders from the buttermilk and gently pat them dry using paper towels. This step prevents steaming and ensures crispiness during air frying.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each tender first in the flour, then dip into the whisked eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned Panko breadcrumb mixture. Spray each side lightly with cooking spray or oil to promote browning and crispiness.
- Air Fry the Tenders: Place the coated chicken tenders in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving space between pieces. Cook at 390°F for 5 minutes on each side, or adjust time based on size—4 minutes per side for smaller tenders and 6-7 minutes per side for larger ones. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove the tenders from the air fryer and serve hot with ranch dressing, ketchup, or your favorite dipping sauce immediately for maximum crispiness and flavor.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in buttermilk helps tenderize and adds moisture.
- Patting the chicken dry before coating prevents sogginess and promotes crispiness.
- Use cooking spray on the coated tenders to achieve a golden-brown crust in the air fryer.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure even crisping.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked.
- Adjust cooking time based on the size of chicken tenders for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-14 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, buttermilk chicken tenders, quick chicken recipe, healthy fried chicken, panko chicken tenders
