Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Introduction
These Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are a deliciously sweet and savory snack or meal that cooks up crispy and juicy in no time. Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, they combine the rich flavors of honey, butter, and garlic with a crunchy breadcrumb coating.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix together honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Step 2: Add chicken tenders to the bowl and coat them evenly with the honey garlic mixture.
- Step 3: On a separate plate, spread the breadcrumbs.
- Step 4: Dredge each chicken tender in the breadcrumbs, ensuring they are fully coated.
- Step 5: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Step 6: Place the breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap.
- Step 7: Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
- Step 8: Remove from the air fryer and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
- Serve with a dipping sauce like ranch, honey mustard, or your favorite BBQ sauce.
- If you prefer, marinate the chicken tenders in the honey garlic mixture for 30 minutes before breading for deeper flavor.
Storage
Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes to maintain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the coating soggy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?
It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken tenders to ensure even cooking and proper coating. If using frozen, thaw completely before coating and air frying.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake the chicken tenders in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through. Keep an eye on them to avoid drying out.
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Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Deliciously crispy air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders coated in a flavorful breadcrumb crust and coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, perfect for a quick and easy meal or snack.
Ingredients
Chicken Tenders
- 1 lb chicken tenders
Honey Garlic Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Breading
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Honey Garlic Mixture: In a bowl, mix together honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Coat the Chicken: Add chicken tenders to the bowl and coat them evenly with the honey garlic mixture, ensuring every piece is thoroughly covered.
- Breadcrumb Coating: Spread the breadcrumbs evenly on a separate plate. Dredge each honey-coated chicken tender in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to fully cover each piece.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and lightly spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Chicken Tenders: Place the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap for even cooking and crispiness.
- Air Fry: Cook the chicken tenders in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and let them rest a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and ensure maximum juiciness.
Notes
- For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- You can double the recipe to make a larger batch but cook in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more garlic or honey if desired.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch, blue cheese, or extra honey garlic sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, honey butter chicken, garlic chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, easy air fryer recipes
