Crispy, golden, and incredibly delicious, these air fryer fried chicken tenders are the perfect midweek meal or snack. Made with simple ingredients, this quick and easy recipe is an alternative to the frozen fried chicken offerings. Whether you’re serving these as a main course, in a sandwich, or as a side dish, they’re sure to become a family favourite.
With minimal oil, these chicken tenders are cooked to perfection in the air fryer, making them both lighter and full of flavour. Ideal for those looking for a quick meal that’s sure to please even the fussiest eaters. Plus if you are wanting to know what quality of chicken and ingredients are in your air fryer fried chicken then this recipe is a good one!
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick, easy, and delicious. Your family will love the crispy coating and juicy chicken, and you’ll appreciate the healthier twist that the air fryer offers.
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Air Fryer Fried Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 25 Minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Crispy, golden, and incredibly delicious, these air fryer fried chicken tenders are the perfect midweek meal or snack. Made with simple ingredients, this quick and easy recipe is an alternative to the frozen fried chicken offerings. Whether you’re serving these as a main course, in a sandwich, or as a side dish, they’re sure to become a family favourite.
With minimal oil, these chicken tenders are cooked to perfection in the air fryer, making them both lighter and full of flavour. Ideal for those looking for a quick meal that’s sure to please even the fussiest eaters. Plus if you are wanting to know what quality of chicken and ingredients are in your air fryer fried chicken then this recipe is a good one!
This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you need something quick, easy, and delicious. Your family will love the crispy coating and juicy chicken, and you’ll appreciate the healthier twist that the air fryer offers.
Ingredients
- 350g chicken tenders, (chicken breast cut into 1cm thick slices or chicken breast strips)
- 100g plain flour
- 2 large eggs
- 100g panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray or a light drizzle of olive oil
Optional
- 50g parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 1tsp Mixed Herbs
Instructions
1. Prepare the Breading Stations: Set up three shallow bowls. In the first bowl, add the plain flour. In the second bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, grated parmesan (if using), paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper, and herbs (if using).
2. Coat the Chicken:
Dip each chicken tender first into the flour, ensuring it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess flour. Then, dip the floured chicken into the beaten eggs, followed by the breadcrumb mixture. Press the breadcrumbs gently to ensure they stick well to the chicken.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for about 5 minutes. Preheating ensures the chicken tenders cook evenly and develop a nice, crispy exterior.
4. Cook the Chicken Tenders:
Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with a little olive oil. Place the chicken tenders in the basket in a single layer, making sure they aren’t touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 75°C (165°F). The thermometer I use in the video clip, has an affiliate link in the description above.
5. Once cooked, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute or two before serving. These chicken tenders pair beautifully with a dipping sauce like honey mustard, barbecue, or my ABSOLUTE favourite garlic aioli. Serve with a side of chips, salad, or tuck them into a wrap or sandwich for a satisfying meal.
Notes
For extra crispy chicken tenders, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
You can marinate the chicken in buttermilk for a few hours before cooking to make them extra tender and flavourful.
Adjust the seasoning to your taste, adding a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a bit of heat.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: International
How long to cook goujons in air fryer?
Firstly it depends on the thickness of the chicken goujons that you are cooking in the air fryer. Thicker chunks are going to take longer. The recipe I do, is where the chicken is in 1cm thick strips, coasted with the crumb mixture. These take 13-15 Minutes to cook at 200°C. I also use my meat thermometer to ensure the internal temp is at 75°C. The affiliate link for this is above. Its useful to have a meat thermometer in your kitchen, regardless of air fryer etc.
How can I make my chicken goujons crispy?
The recipe I have here, is using panko breadcrumbs. To me, these are the Rolls Royce of breadcrumbs and give that beautiful crunch. Also ensure that when you are cooking anything with breadcrumbs that you leave space between each item you are cooking. This allows the heat and air to get round and there helps prevent soggy items.