Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Tenders (Print View)

Juicy chicken strips coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, air-fried to a crispy golden finish for a lighter meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

→ Breading

02 - 3/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Coating

10 - 2 large eggs
11 - 2 tablespoons low-fat milk
12 - Olive oil spray

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
02 - Dry the chicken tenders thoroughly using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
03 - In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and low-fat milk until fully combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, mix whole-wheat breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
05 - Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then press into the breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated.
06 - Place coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray both sides with olive oil spray.
07 - Cook the tenders for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
08 - Serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crust stays shatteringly crisp without a drop of deep frying oil.
  • Parmesan and smoked paprika give it a flavor boost that plain breadcrumbs never could.
  • Cleanup is almost laughably easy compared to dealing with a pan of hot oil.
  • You can have dinner on the table in under half an hour, even on a weeknight.
02 -
  • If you skip drying the chicken, the breading will peel off in sad little patches.
  • Don't stack the tenders in the basket or the bottoms will steam instead of crisp.
  • Flipping halfway is non-negotiable if you want even browning on both sides.
03 -
  • Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken with your fingertips to really lock them in place.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, check the tenders a minute or two early to avoid overcooking.
  • A meat thermometer is your best friend for juicy, perfectly cooked chicken every time.
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