Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Tenders (Printable Version)

Juicy chicken strips coated in a crunchy seasoned crust, air-fried to a golden crisp.

# 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 tsp smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
08 - 1/2 tsp salt
09 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Coating

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

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.
02 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
03 - In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs and low-fat milk until combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, combine whole-wheat breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then thoroughly coat with breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Place chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray both sides with olive oil.
07 - Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Serve hot with preferred dipping sauce.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • They come out crunchier than anything Ive baked, with a fraction of the oil.
  • You can prep everything in one go and clean up before the timer even goes off.
  • Theyre just as good cold the next day, which means lunch is already sorted.
02 -
  • If you crowd the basket, the breading steams instead of crisps, cook in batches if you need to.
  • Pressing the breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken makes them stick better and creates those crispy edges everyone fights over.
03 -
  • Let the breaded chicken sit on a wire rack for 5 minutes before air frying, it helps the coating set and stick even better.
  • Use a meat thermometer if youre unsure, 75°C (165°F) means theyre perfectly cooked and still juicy inside.
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