Crispy Air-Fried Chicken Tenders (Printable)

Juicy chicken strips coated in a flavorful crust, air-fried for a crispy, golden finish.

# What You 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

# How To Make It:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They're genuinely crispy without the guilt of deep frying, and nobody can tell the difference.
  • The Parmesan in the coating adds this subtle savory depth that plain breadcrumbs could never achieve.
  • From start to finish, you're looking at less than 30 minutes, making weeknight dinners actually manageable.
02 -
  • Don't skip the drying step—it's the difference between crispy tenders and soggy disappointment, and I learned this the hard way.
  • The olive oil spray is essential; you genuinely cannot achieve that crunchy exterior without it, despite what you might think about air fryers being oil-free.
  • Turning them halfway through isn't optional if you want even browning on both sides.
03 -
  • The parchment paper trick: lining your air fryer basket with parchment paper helps with cleanup and prevents any sticking, though it's not essential.
  • If you don't have an air fryer, a convection oven at 220°C (425°F) for 15–18 minutes gives nearly identical results, just slightly less crispy on the outside.
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