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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce

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These crispy air fryer chicken tenders feature a perfect balance of crunchy coating and juicy chicken inside, served with a sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, they are a quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh chicken tenders or chicken breast strips
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60g)
  • 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (90g), preferably Japanese brand
  • 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (25g)
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Olive oil spray or any neutral oil spray
  • For the Honey Mustard Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise (60g)
  • 2 tablespoons honey (30g)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard (30g)
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard (15ml)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and let it warm up for about 5 minutes.
  2. In a shallow bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
  4. In a third bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
  5. Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
  6. Dredge each tender in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
  7. Dip into the beaten eggs.
  8. Press into the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, coating evenly on all sides.
  9. Place coated tenders on a plate or baking sheet.
  10. Lightly mist each side of the tenders with olive oil spray.
  11. Arrange tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding.
  12. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through at 6 minutes, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  13. While chicken cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust taste as desired.
  14. Let tenders rest for 1-2 minutes after cooking.
  15. Serve tenders hot with honey mustard sauce for dipping.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before coating to ensure crispiness. Flip tenders halfway through cooking for even browning. Lightly spray oil to mimic deep frying without excess grease. For gluten-free, substitute flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free versions and use dairy-free mayo for sauce if needed. To reheat leftovers, air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 4-5 minutes to maintain crispiness.

Nutrition

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

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