Get ready to make the best air fryer chicken tenders on the planet! These homemade chicken strips are so much healthier than the traditional fried version. These breaded chicken tenders are coated in a flavorful pecan, parmesan cheese, and panko breadcrumb coating which provides an incredibly tasty combination of flavors. Super easy and quick for any weeknight meal, these air fryer chicken strips are super crispy and made with minimal oil. Simply baste on a thin layer of extra-virgin olive oil to the bottom of the basket and that’s all you need to make each piece moist on the inside with a crispy coating on the outside. Made with a few simple ingredients, this easy recipe is perfect for a quick dinner!
🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes these air fryer chicken tenders stand out from the other recipes is the ingredients used for the breading. Using panko instead of breadcrumbs provides a lighter coating that crisps perfectly when air fried. The breading for these tenderloins consist of mayonnaise and whole grain mustard as the base. From there, simply roll each raw chicken tender into the chopped pecans, shredded parmesan cheese, and panko breadcrumb mixture. Unlike fried chicken tenders, you don’t need a lot of oil. The air fryer is an amped up convection oven that works by circulating hot air around food. Basting a couple of teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil on the bottom of the basket is all that’s needed to add additional moisture while air frying. The technology transforms these breaded chicken tenders into crispy yumminess using minimal oil. We’re talking moist, crispy, crunchy, and unforgettable flavor in every single bite!
🐔 How To Remove The Chicken Tendon
Chicken tenderloins have a white tendon running in the middle of the meat. They are inedible and should be removed. The tendon can be difficult to remove. In this Asian sesame chicken recipe, I provide a trick to help remove the tendon. For a quick and easy way to remove the tendon from the chicken, place the end of the tendon in the prongs of a fork, grip the tendon with a paper towel and pull. This method easily removes the tendon without you cutting away a lot of meat.
📋 Step-by-Step Recipe Instructions
Start by basting 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil on the bottom of the basket. From there, seasoning the raw tenderloins with a generous amount of salt and pepper. In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise and whole grain mustard. Next, combine the chopped pecan chips, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley in a shallow bowl. Stir together all the dry ingredients until well combined. Coat each raw chicken tender in the mayonnaise and mustard mixture until each piece is well coated on all sides. From there, take a pair of tongs and coat each chicken tender in the pecan breadcrumb mixture, flipping to both sides, until the entire piece is thoroughly covered. Put them on a plate and set aside.
⏲️ Preheating The Air Fryer
Preheating helps ensure the chicken not only turns out moist, but also very crispy. To preheat the airfryer, set it to the temperature you plan to cook the food based on the recipe. There is no need to remove the basket. From there, turn the empty fryer on for 2-3 minutes. Once it has preheated, place each pecan crusted chicken tenderloin in the basket, reset the cooking timer, and close. Set the fryer to the chicken setting or if your fryer doesn’t have pre-programmed food settings, set the temperature to 360°F. Set the timer to 20 minutes and let them cook. When done, the timer will go off. Pull the handle and remove the basket. Inside will be the most delicious golden brown tenders waiting for you. These pair perfectly with these crispy air fryer fries and this cabbage and okra. In a little over 30 minutes, this quick and easy recipe for chicken tenders will be ready and on the table for the whole family to enjoy!
✍️ Oven Baked Instructions
This easy chicken tender recipe can also be cooked in the oven! Preheat the oven to 425°F. Place each breaded chicken tender on an aluminum foil covered baking sheet. Cook for 16-18 minutes, turning halfway until done.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
🔥 Storage and Reheating
Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container with a lid for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat: It’s best to reheat the cooked tenders in the oven at 350°F for 7-10 minutes or in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes or until warm and crispy on the outside. Freeze: Place the completely cooled leftover tenders in a freezer safe container in a single line. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen.
💭 4 Major Success Tips
Use at least a 5.8 quart air fryer to feed a family of 4-5 people.Don’t use cooking spray, such a Pam, to spray the bottom of the basket. It will leave a residue that is hard to remove. Olive, grapeseed, or avocado oil is the best to use. You can even make a homemade EVOO spray.You can use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins by slicing them into ½-inch thick strips. Or, air fry the entire breast. Chicken thighs are also a great substitute and taste amazing in the breading.To ensure the meat is cooked all the way through, use a digital thermometer to make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
🍲 The Best Dipping Sauces
I love to dip chicken strips, grilled bbq chicken wings, and turkey nuggets into my favorite different sauces. My homemade bbq sauce dip is amazing with its tangy and sweet flavors. And I love dipping just about anything in a good basil pesto sauce! Don’t forget about the traditional dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, ketchup, and blue cheese!
🍽️ More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love!
For more air fryer recipes that are easy, you can quickly learn how to air fry baked potatoes, ravolis, and even snack crackers! And these air fried chickpeas are great for a healthy snack. Another really quick and easy dinner recipe to try are these mouthwatering air fryer panko chicken thighs. Juicy and delicious, This recipe is easy to prep and will be done in 20 minutes
Recipe inspired by Whiskey In A TeacupUpdate Notes: This post was originally published in February 2019, but was re-published with updated step-by-step instructions, pictures, and expert tips in July 2022.
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