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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Easy Recipe Kids Love

crispy air fryer chicken tenders - featured image
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These crispy air fryer chicken tenders are a quick and easy weeknight dinner that kids and adults love. They deliver a shatteringly crunchy crust with juicy, tender meat, all without the mess of deep frying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb (450g) chicken tenders
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (80g) panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Avocado or canola oil spray

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken tenders completely dry with paper towels. Season lightly with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. In the second bowl, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water. In the third bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. Working one piece at a time, dredge a tender in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into the egg wash, letting extra drip off. Press firmly into the panko-Parmesan mixture, coating all sides. Place on a wire rack. Repeat with remaining tenders.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil. Place tenders in a single layer without touching. Spray the tops lightly with oil. Cook for 6 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook for another 4-6 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Let tenders rest on a clean wire rack for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, do not overcrowd the basket. Let the coating rest for 5 minutes before air frying. Use an aerosol oil spray for even coating. If tenders aren’t browning evenly, rotate the basket or flip halfway through.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, easy chicken tenders, kid-friendly chicken tenders, healthy chicken tenders

Find it online: https://novanosh.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-tenders-easy-recipe-kids-love/