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Crispy golden air fryer chicken tenders served with fresh lemon wedges on a white platter.

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

These crispy air fryer chicken tenders are golden on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or satisfying picky eaters — without the grease!
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Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 chicken tenders (about 1¼ lbs)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 0.5 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 0.5 cup seasoned panko breadcrumbs
  • Olive oil spray
  • Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • 3 shallow bowls for breading station
  • Tongs
  • meat thermometer
  • large plate or baking sheet

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels for better breading adhesion.
  2. Season chicken with salt and pepper on all sides.
  3. Set up breading station with 3 bowls: 1 with beaten eggs, 1 with breadcrumb + panko mix, and 1 with flour (optional).
  4. Dip each tender in egg, then coat in breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on a plate.
  5. Spray both sides of tenders with olive oil spray. Do not skip this step.
  6. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
  7. Place tenders in air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 400°F for 5–7 minutes.
  8. Flip tenders, spray again lightly, and cook another 5–7 minutes until golden and internal temp is 165°F.
  9. Transfer to serving platter and garnish with lemon wedges if desired. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

Swap chicken tenders for sliced chicken breast if needed. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for dietary needs. Add herbs or spices to the coating for more flavor. Reheat in the air fryer to maintain crispiness. Always check for 165°F internal temperature.