Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Course Appetizer, Chicken, Main Course

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword air-fryer-chicken-tenders, easy-chicken-tenders-recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 14

Marinade time 1

Total Time 1 34

Servings servings (may vary)

Calories 369kcal

Ingredients

2 lbs chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into 3/4 inch wide strips)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk divided use
4 Tbsp dill pickle juice divided use
1 Tbsp hot sauce plus a few dashes for egg wash
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
peanut oil, cooking spray or oil mister for coating the chicken tenders

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice and 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce.
Add chicken to the marinade and stir to coat with the buttermilk mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and place into the fridge for at least 1 hour (up to 24 hours.)
To Prepare the Breading: In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the flour with seasoned salt, ground black pepper, granulated garlic, paprika and onion powder. Set aside.
In a second large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, remaining 1/2 buttermilk, dill pickle juice and a few dashes hot sauce.
Remove one piece of the chicken from the marinade at a time and dredge into the seasoned flour mixture, coating it lightly. Shake off any excess flour then dip into the egg-buttermilk mixture coating both sides, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge a second time into the flour mixture. Have nearby a sheet pan or platter to place breaded tenders. Repeat process until all are breaded.
Spray the inside of the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray. Spray chicken pieces on all sides with cooking spray or brush with oil. Arrange in basket in an even layer leaving space between for air to circulate. Be sure there is no overlap. Spray the tops of the chicken pieces again with cooking spray.
Fry at 400°F (or 200 degrees Celsius) for 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken, brushing gently with additional oil or spray any dry spots with cooking spray or oil mister. Fry for another 5 minutes. Repeat process frying in batches.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces, on a salad or on warm hamburger buns with pickles.

Notes

Preheat oven to 200°F. Fit an oven safe rack into a sheet pan. place fried chicken into the oven to keep warm between batches.

Nutrition