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Crispy air fryer chicken tenders on a plate with dipping sauce
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Wyatt's "Better Than the Restaurant" Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Crispy homemade air fryer chicken tenders with golden panko breading — better than restaurant tenders for a fraction of the price.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer, chicken tenders
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 5 servings
Author Maggie

Ingredients

For the Chicken

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts about 3-4 large
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Breading Station

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup regular breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • cooking spray olive oil or avocado oil

For Dipping Sauces

  • ketchup
  • ranch dressing
  • 2 tablespoons honey for honey mustard
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard for honey mustard
  • 1 tablespoon mayo for honey mustard

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken breasts into strips about 3/4 inch wide. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Set up breading station: Bowl 1 — flour mixed with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt. Bowl 2 — beaten eggs with milk. Bowl 3 — panko and regular breadcrumbs with paprika and garlic powder.
  3. Dredge each strip in flour, dip in egg wash, then press into breadcrumb mixture to coat all sides.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Spray basket with cooking spray. Arrange tenders in single layer (not touching). Spray tops. Cook 5 minutes, flip, cook 4-5 more minutes until golden and 165°F internal.
  5. Let rest 2 minutes. Serve with ketchup, ranch, and honey mustard dipping sauces.

Recipe Notes

Mix panko with regular breadcrumbs 3:1 for the best crunch. Don't crowd the basket — air needs to circulate. Spray tops with cooking spray for golden color. Reheat in air fryer at 375°F, never microwave.