Description
This Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders recipe features tender, crispy chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey butter garlic sauce. Cooked in an air fryer for a healthier twist on classic fried chicken tenders, these are quick to prepare and packed with flavor, making them perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or a delicious appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Tenders
- 1 lb chicken tenders
Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Coating
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Sauce: In a bowl, mix the honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper until fully combined and smooth.
- Coat the Chicken: Add the chicken tenders into the honey garlic sauce bowl and toss thoroughly until each piece is well coated with the sauce.
- Bread the Chicken: Spread the breadcrumbs evenly on a plate. Take each coated chicken tender and dredge it through the breadcrumbs to ensure an even coating all around.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry: Arrange the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until the tenders turn golden brown and are cooked through.
- Serve: Let the chicken tenders rest for a few minutes after cooking. For extra crunch and flavor, optionally dip them again in the honey butter garlic sauce and breadcrumb mixture before serving.
Notes
- You can use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy texture or regular breadcrumbs depending on preference.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, based on your diet needs.
- Make sure chicken tenders are fully cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Double coating the chicken with sauce and breadcrumbs adds crunch but also increases cooking time slightly.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, this recipe can be adapted for oven baking at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
