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Air Fryer chicken tenders with buttermilk arrange on a baking sheet with ketchup on honey in glass dipping bowls.
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5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Who said you can't double dip? Air Fryer Chicken Tenders get a buttermilk bath before being double-coated and air fried to crispy golden-brown perfection. The chicken stays perfectly tender and moist inside a simply seasoned panko crust. And no messy cleanup means more time to DIY dipping sauces the whole family will love!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Marinating Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Calories 589kcal
Author Danielle Esposti

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1½ c buttermilk
  • 1½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1½ lb chicken tenderloins
  • 1½ c panko bread crumbs
  • ½ c grated parmesan cheese
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1½ c all purpose flour

Instructions

  • Heat the oven to 200°F; place a baking sheet in the oven.
  • In a wide, shallow bowl combine the buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper; whisk until smooth. Add the chicken tenderloins to the buttermilk mixture and ensure the chicken is completely coated. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • Whisk the breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a shallow bowl until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened.
  • Place flour into a second shallow bowl.
  • Remove 1 piece of chicken from the buttermilk mixture and allow the excess to drip off. Dip the chicken into the flour, then flip the chicken to lightly coat the other side. Dip the chicken into the buttermilk again, then finally dip the chicken into the breadcrumbs mixture - gently press to help the breadcrumb coating stick, then flip the chicken and coat with breadcrumbs on the other side. Transfer the breaded chicken tenderloins to a plate or baking sheet and repeat with the remaining pieces.
  • Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 380°F, then lightly brush or mist the basket with olive oil.
  • Arrange the breaded chicken in your air fryer basket in a single layer - do not stack or overlap the chicken, and leave a bit of room between each piece.
  • Cook the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F using an instant read thermometer. Transfer the cooked chicken tenders to the warm oven and repeat with the remaining tenders. Serve hot or warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 3chicken tenders | Calories: 589kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 53g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 871mg | Potassium: 188mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 39% | Vitamin C: 11% | Calcium: 119% | Iron: 4%