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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe with Easy Honey Mustard Sauce

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This recipe delivers satisfyingly crunchy chicken tenders cooked in an air fryer, paired with a simple, addictive honey mustard sauce. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 grams) chicken tenders, fresh or thawed, trimmed of excess fat
  • ½ cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 ½ cups (150 grams) panko breadcrumbs (preferably Japanese panko)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Cooking spray or a light drizzle of olive oil
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise (full-fat or light)
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • A pinch of salt (for sauce)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and set aside.
  2. Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Dredge each chicken tender in flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off.
  4. Press each tender into the seasoned panko mixture, coating well on all sides.
  5. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  6. Arrange the coated tenders in a single layer without overlapping and lightly spray the tops with cooking spray.
  7. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Add 1-2 minutes if needed for extra crispiness.
  8. While the chicken cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy.
  9. Serve the hot chicken tenders with the honey mustard sauce for dipping. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before coating to avoid soggy crust. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure crispiness. Lightly spray tenders with oil before air frying. Flip tenders halfway through cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F internal temperature. Sauce can be made ahead and stored up to 3 days. For gluten-free, substitute flour and panko with almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo. Adding grated Parmesan to panko adds extra crispiness. If no air fryer, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes on a wire rack.

Nutrition

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

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