These Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are so crispy and juicy. If you love chicken tenders, you have got to try this recipe that cuts out the grease without losing any of the delicious flavors.
If you are looking for something to serve with this dish, try our air fryer french fries. Both of these go great with this copycat Chick-Fil-A sauce!
Watch The Chicken Tenders VIDEO here
Crispy air fryer chicken tenders
These Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are so tasty. Soaked in a flavorful marinade, dredged in Panko crumbs and Parmesan cheese, and seasoned with salt and pepper, they are packed with delicious flavor. The air fryer cooks them to a crispy, golden brown while inside the chicken is tender and juicy. These chicken tenders are not greasy at all and your kids and family will love them. Dip them in this awesome copycat Chick-fil-A sauce or even serve them with a side of veggies for a full meal. They would also taste amazing in a homemade Popeyes chicken sandwich!
The best type of air fryer for cooking chicken
Air fryers come in two basic types: the oven air fryer and the basket air fryer. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, such as the oven air fryer is bigger and bulkier, but has better airflow, especially when cooking a larger quantity of food at once. The basket style air fryer is great for things like french fries and is more compact, but it also cannot handle as much. For chicken, the oven air fryer is better because it allows more air circulation around the chicken, enabling more even cooking and crisping.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Yes, these air fryer chicken tenders can be gluten-free! Substitute almond flour or brown rice flour for the Panko and Parmesan and then cook them like normal.
Can I make this with chicken breast instead?
Yes. If you use chicken breast, just make sure to cut the meat into smaller pieces because air fryers work by circulating hot air on all sides of the chicken. The more surface area there is, the faster and more evenly the meat will cook.
How long does it take to cook chicken in an air fryer?
That depends on the weight of the chicken. It will take less time to cook less chicken, but a larger piece or more chicken tenders will take a little more time. For this air fryer chicken tender recipe, it will take about 4-5 minutes per side with a pound of chicken tenders.
How to make breaded air fryer chicken tenders
This is a quick rundown of the recipe. For full recipe details, scroll down to the printable recipe card.
- Make the marinade. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, and garlic to a large bowl and mix.
- Marinate the chicken. Place the chicken in the marinade and toss to make sure they are completely covered. You can let it sit for a few hours, or even overnight. Or you can begin dredging immediately.
- Make the dredge. Combine the breadcrumbs, Panko, Parmesan, salt, and pepper to make the dredge for your chicken tenders.
- Dredge your chicken. Generously cover the chicken with the mixture and then place each piece in the basket of the air fryer. Lightly spray both sides of the chicken with canola or avocado oil in spray form. You can use your own oil mister bottle for optimal flavor.
- Bake. Cook the chicken tenders in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes on each side. You can check doneness by inserting a meat thermometer into the meat and checking to see if it has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can I make them in a regular oven?
Yes, these chicken tenders can also be made in an oven. Follow the steps up until it is time to cook. Place them on a baking sheet and cook them in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes.
What goes well with breaded chicken tenders
These breaded air fryer chicken breasts taste delicious with a dipping sauce. You can try this tangy ranch, tasty Chick-Fil-A sauce, or this sweet and smoky barbecue sauce. If you’re in a hurry, toss some hot buttered pasta with this 3 ingredient pasta cream sauce, and dinner is done!
Can I make these in advance?
Yes, you can. You can marinate the chicken tenders the night before just like my breaded chicken skewers recipe and make the dredge mixture at the same time. Just store the chicken in the fridge in a covered bowl and place the breading mix in an airtight container until you’re ready to use them.
Can I freeze them?
Yes! After you are done cooking the air fryer chicken tenders, let them thoroughly cool and then place them in a ziplock bag in the freezer. They will last for about 1 month. The chicken can then be reheated in the air fryer.
How long will it take to cook frozen chicken tenders?
Frozen chicken tenders will take about 12 minutes total to cook, flipping halfway through. Then they will be thoroughly cooked and ready to serve.
More Air fryer recipes to try!
- Air fryer pork chops
- Easy shrimp
- Air fryer zucchini fries
- Crispy french fries
- Air fryer Bacon
- Steak bites
- air fryer asparagus, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli
- Breaded Air fryer chicken tenders
- Air fryer chicken thighs
- Perfect Air fryer salmon
- Air fryer baked potato
Full Recipe Instructions
Breaded Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove
Breading mixture
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
Make the marinade and add the chicken
- Combine the 1/4 mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 pressed garlic clove in a large bowl and place the 1 pound of chicken tenders inside. When pressing the garlic, I highly recommend using this grater. Its my favorite tool in my kitchen.
- Toss the chicken around in the marinade. You can begin dredging the chicken tenders right away or let them marinate for a few hours or even overnight for the best flavor.
Dredge in bread crumb mixture
- Now make the breading by combining 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs, 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
- Then generously coat the chicken tenders in the breading mixture.
- Place the breaded chicken on the air fryer basket (about 4 tenders at a time). Then lightly spray the bottom of the basket and the top of the breaded chicken with avocado oil spray from your own oil mister or cooking spray.
Bake in the air fryer
- Bake in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4-5 minutes per side. A good way to know that your chicken is done is by inserting a meat thermometer into the center of the chicken. It should read at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Notes
Nutrition
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Jacqueline says
When you say bake do you mean use the bake setting on the air fryer or the air fryer setting?
Dina says
Hi Jaqueline, I use the air fry setting. I hope you love this recipe!
Lori says
I made this tonight for dinner and it was delicious! I will definitely make this again.
Dina says
That is so awesome to hear Lori! Always happy when people love my recipes 🙂 Glad to hear these chicken tenders will be a repeat recipe in your home! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback 🙂
Scott Walthour says
Soooooo good. I’m not big on chicken tenders, generally. I guess I associate them with low quality kids’ meals at certain restaurants. This recipe yields incredible chicken, *period*. My oldest has a lot of food aversions, requiring feeding therapy for years, and he doesn’t usually like chicken at all. He scarfed this chicken down, even using it as a preferred food to make it easier for him to eat the mac and cheese we served with it.
This recipe is going on our rotation. My only regret is that we only made a pound of these… I could’ve eaten a whole lot more.
We used garlic powder instead of pressed garlic, only because we couldn’t find our garlic press.
Thank you for this recipe!
Dina says
You are very welcome Scott!! It really makes me so happy to hear that you and your family loved these chicken tenders so much! 🙂 Super excited that this recipe will now be on repeat in your home 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your awesome review! I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog for your family to enjoy 🙂
Jeannie Hall says
What can I use instead of mayonnaise?
Dina says
You can use greek yogurt instead 🙂
Elle says
How can I eliminate some of the sodium in this recipe?
Dina says
Hi Elle 🙂 You can decrease or remove the salt in this recipe. It will slightly alter the flavor a bit though. I hope you love these chicken tenders! 🙂
imsen says
My family and I love it. I will definitely make again. Super easy and great flavor!
Dina says
Yay! So happy to hear you and your family loved these air fryer chicken tenders! So excited that this recipe will now be a family favorite! 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind feedback 🙂
Wanda Boyum says
We received an air fryer for Christmas and have been looking for different recipes. These tenders were amazing!!!!!!!! Crunchy and tender. We made dipping sauces – cajun, raising cane. Bought chick-fil-a sauce. Had homemade barbecue sauce and ranch dressing.
Dina says
Thank you, Wanda!! You are too kind! So happy that you loved these air fryer chicken tenders! You will love your air fryer, it helps with so many recipes 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback 🙂
Grace Lam says
Thank you so much for this wonderful recipe! I am so new to this AF world and this recipe definitely a keeper! I didn’t have any mustard at home, I replace it with miso + some spicy yuzu paste that I found in my fridge, it was good! 8 big pieces of delicious tenders I only had 1.5 my hub and my little girl love it a lot
Dina says
I am so glad that you loved this recipe Grace! Thank you for taking the time o write your kind feedback!
Charm says
These were the tastiest tenders I have ever made! Definitely looking forward to making again. There are so good as recipe is written but I was wondering if they would be equally as good if I swapped out the mayo for greek yogurt? I may have to try it.
Thanks for recipe!
Dina says
Hi Charm, thank you so much for leaving your kind feedback 🙂 I have never tried making this recipe with greek yogurt alone, but I think it should work!
Mr. Y says
Loved it! Marinade was very flavourful and chicken was crisp and juicy!
Dina says
Yay! Glad to hear you loved this chicken tenders recipe 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback! 🙂
Ethan Wilson says
Amazing! Tried this recipe tonight and cannot recommend enough. Crispy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Exactly what you want from a good chicken tender and with such little effort. THANK YOU.
Dina says
You are very welcome Ethan! 🙂 So happy to hear you loved these chicken tenders! I hope this recipe becomes a repeat in your home 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback! 🙂
Katelyn M says
This is the best chicken I’ve ever made. I didn’t have fresh garlic so I just added some garlic salt in place of the salt and the garlic portions. It was outstanding! Super moist, amazing flavor and fully cooked!
Dina says
Hi Katelyn 🙂 So awesome to hear you loved these chicken tenders so much! It really means so much to me when people love my recipes! 🙂 Thank you so much for your kind feedback! I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog 🙂
Adele says
I’m trying these tonight, they look yummy.
I just buy the non aerosol oil spray, you can get avocado oil, canola oil or olive oil sprayers. I tried a few oil sprayers that are refillable but none of them sprayed well and were awful to clean.
Thanks for the video too
Adele
Dina says
Thank you for the tip, Adele. I hope you love this chicken tenders recipe! Let me know how it goes.
Joy says
So full of flavor! I never thought to dip the chicken tenders in a marinade before the breading, and I’ll definitely be doing it more often! Thank you for this recipe!
Dina says
You are very welcome Joy! Glad to hear you loved these air fryer chicken tenders 🙂 Happy I could help you with the marinade step 🙂 Thank you so much for leaving your kind feedback and I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog 🙂
Nina Guillot says
Simple. Easy. Delicious!
Dina says
Happy to hear you loved these chicken tenders, Nina! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback! I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog 🙂
Amanda Peck says
This recipe was so flavorful, cooked quickly, super simple and it came out absolutely perfect! Definitely making this again! Added a tiny bit of garlic and onion powder into both mixes.
Dina says
Hi Amanda 🙂 So happy to hear you loved these chicken tenders so much! My family also loves this recipe so much! We also make a homemade chick-fil-a sauce to go with the chicken. Here is a link to the sauce- https://simplyhomecooked.com/3-ingredient-chick-fil-a-sauce/
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback and I hope you find many more recipes to enjoy on my blog 🙂
Irene K.Duke says
Where do I get a air fryer?
Thanks
Irene K.Duke
Dina says
Hi Irene 🙂 You can get one at Amazon or at many local stores. I hope you are able to get one! I love my air fryer 🙂
Rita says
Absolutely wonderful. I didn’t use mustard I changed it to ranch,,, so good.
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Rita 🙂 So awesome to hear you loved these chicken tenders! The great thing about recipes is that you can adjust them per preference 🙂 Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your review! I hope you find many more recipes to enjoy on my food blog 🙂
GAIL TONELLI says
What did I do wrong? My breading came off from the ones I cooked in the air fryer as well as the oven? Boohoo.
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Gail 🙂 It sounds like your chicken tenders may have been wet. You want to make sure to pat them dry. This helps the mayo stick to it better and not thin out. Hope that helps 🙂
Bsarg says
Dip them in egg instead of mayo
Andrew says
Quick, easy, and delicious. The chicken was very tender with great flavor. This recipe is a keeper
simplyhomecooked says
Happy to hear you loved these air fryer chicken tenders! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your feedback, Andrew! I hope you find many more delicious recipes on my blog 🙂