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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe Easy Homemade Honey Mustard Sauce

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These crispy air fryer chicken tenders are perfectly golden and juicy inside, paired with a tangy-sweet homemade honey mustard sauce. A quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing recipe perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) fresh chicken tenders, trimmed of excess fat
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup (25g) Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Olive oil spray
  • For the honey mustard sauce:
  • ½ cup (120g) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons (42g) honey
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) apple cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to help the coating stick better and prevent sogginess. Set aside.
  2. In a shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to distribute the spices evenly.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.
  4. In another shallow dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the grated Parmesan cheese.
  5. Dredge each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip into the beaten eggs, then press into the panko-Parmesan mixture until fully coated. Place the coated tenders on a baking sheet.
  6. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it run empty for about 5 minutes.
  7. Place the tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Spray lightly with olive oil spray for extra crispness.
  8. Air fry for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying again with olive oil. The tenders should turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  9. While the chicken cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust sweetness or tanginess to your taste.
  10. Serve immediately with a generous side of honey mustard sauce for dipping.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before coating to avoid sogginess. Press panko mixture firmly onto tenders for best crunch. Spray olive oil before and halfway through cooking to mimic deep frying. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even crisping. Parmesan cheese in the coating adds umami and helps crust hold together. For gluten-free, substitute flour and panko with almond flour and gluten-free panko. Sauce can be stored refrigerated for up to one week.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, honey mustard sauce, easy chicken recipe, healthy fried chicken, quick dinner, crowd-pleaser

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