Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders Recipe
Introduction
Quick and satisfying, these air fryer Panko chicken tenders give you a crispy bite with far less fuss. The butter-infused breadcrumb coating stays crunchy and juicy chicken stays tender inside, all in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Add the melted butter to a shallow bowl.
- Step 2: In a second shallow bowl, mix together the Panko, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Step 3: Dredge the chicken tenders by first dipping in the melted butter, then coating in the breadcrumb mixture. Place on a plate or sheet pan and repeat with all tenders.
- Step 4: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange breaded tenders in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed.
- Step 5: Air fry at 400°F for 11–13 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked and golden brown (165°F internal temperature).
- Step 6: Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy.
Tips & Variations
- The easiest cut to use is chicken tenders, but boneless, skinless breasts cut into strips work well too.
- For extra-crispy tenders, use Panko breadcrumbs; classic or Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs offer a different flavor profile.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until warmed through and crisp.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I bake these instead of air frying?
Yes. Preheat the oven to 425°F and bake on a parchment-lined sheet pan for about 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until cooked through and golden.
What dipping sauces pair well with these tenders?
Classic options like honey mustard, ranch, or marinara are perfect, but they also taste great with a simple garlic yogurt dip.
Print
Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Total Time: 23 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Crispy air fryer chicken tenders coated in a Parmesan-Panko crust, baked to golden brown and juicy inside, ready in about 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Section 1: Chicken
- 1½ lbs chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
Section 2: Butter and Coating
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Prepare the butter and coating: Add the melted butter to a shallow bowl. In a second shallow bowl, mix together the Panko, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Dredge the chicken: Dip each tender in the melted butter, then dredge in the breading mixture. Place on a plate or sheet pan and repeat with all tenders.
- Air fry the tenders: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Transfer breaded tenders to the air fryer in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Air fry at 400°F for 11–13 minutes, until fully cooked (165°F) and golden brown.
- Serve: Remove and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- For thinner tenders, use chicken breasts cut into uniform strips to ensure even cooking.
- Using Panko yields the crispiest crust; you can substitute with classic breadcrumbs or Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs for different flavors.
- Let the tenders rest for a minute after cooking to keep the juices inside.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: air fryer, chicken tenders, panko, parmesan, crispy, quick dinner
