Air Fryer Fried Chicken Tenders

These air fried chicken tenders are super easy to make and all done in under 20 minutes. With simple ingredients and lots of great flavor they're sure to become a new favorite in your family. Serve as a main course with your favorite sides or as a snack with your favorite dips!

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine North American

Diet Low Lactose

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 8

Total Time 18

Servings as a snack

Calories 47kcal

Author Emmeline Kemperyd

Equipment

Air Fryer*
Kitchen knife*
Measuring cups (metric or US)*
Measuring spoons*
Chopping board*
2 plates
1 shallow bowl

Ingredients

½ lb chicken thigh filets or chicken tenders / chicken breasts
½ cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 egg
½ cup breadcrumbs

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Start by preheating your air fryer by running it at 400 °Ffor 5 minutes.
Cut each chicken thigh filet into 3-4 pieces. If you're using chicken tenders you can skip this step. If using chicken breasts, cut each into 5-6 strips instead.
½ lb chicken thigh filets
Set up your breading station. Pour the flour onto a plate and season with salt and pepper. Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl and beat with a fork. Pour the breadcrumbs onto a plate.
½ cup flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper, 1 egg, ½ cup breadcrumbs
Bread the chicken by dipping the pieces first in the seasoned flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs. At each step, make sure the chicken gets completely covered on all sides.
When all chicken tenders are breaded, brush or spray the air fryer basket with oil and place as many tenders as can fit comfortably in the air fryer basket. Do not layer the pieces; if they don't all fit you will need to cook in batches.
Bake for 4 minutes at 400 °F. Brush or spray lightly with oil. Flip them, then bake 4 minutes more, until cooked through - the internal temperature should be at least 165 °F °F

Notes

Don't try to cook too much at once. To get crispy chicken you need to cook it in a single layer, and the pieces should not be touching.

Use a meat thermometer. This is the best way to know when the chicken is cooked through without having to cut into it. It's also the best way to make sure you're not under- or overcooking the chicken.

Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezing: Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Leftovers: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer in 1 minute increments, until heated through.

Nutrition