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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe with Easy Homemade Honey Mustard

crispy air fryer chicken tenders - featured image
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These crispy air fryer chicken tenders are juicy, golden, and paired with a tangy homemade honey mustard sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders or chicken breasts sliced into strips
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs (Japanese-style preferred)
  • ¼ cup (25g) finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Cooking spray or olive oil spray
  • For the honey mustard dipping sauce:
  • ½ cup (120g) mayonnaise (full-fat preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons (40g) honey
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper on both sides. (5 minutes)
  2. Set up dredging stations: In one bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. Dredge each tender first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into beaten eggs, letting extra drip off. Press into the panko-Parmesan mixture until well coated. Place on a plate or baking sheet. (10 minutes)
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Place breaded tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Lightly spray with cooking or olive oil spray.
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Check at 8 minutes if your air fryer runs hot. (12 minutes)
  7. While tenders cook, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust sweetness or tang to taste.
  8. Serve the crispy chicken tenders immediately with the homemade honey mustard dipping sauce. Optionally garnish with fresh lemon wedges or chopped parsley.

Notes

Dry chicken tenders thoroughly before breading for best crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to prevent soggy tenders. Flip tenders halfway through cooking for even browning. For extra crispiness, double-dip in egg and panko mixture but watch cooking time to avoid drying out. If no air fryer, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. Honey mustard sauce tastes better after resting in fridge for a few hours or overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, homemade honey mustard, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, healthy chicken tenders

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-tenders-recipe-with-easy-homemade-honey-mustard/