Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Introduction
If you’re looking for a quick and delicious meal, these Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are a perfect choice. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, they’re coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce that everyone will love. Ideal for weeknight dinners or party appetizers, these tenders never disappoint.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders (fresh or thawed)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the honey, melted butter, and minced garlic. Mix well to make the marinade.
- Step 3: In another bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with paprika, salt, and black pepper evenly.
- Step 4: Dip each chicken tender into the honey garlic marinade, allowing excess to drip off.
- Step 5: Coat each tender thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture.
- Step 6: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Step 7: Place chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket and lightly spray their tops with cooking spray.
- Step 8: Cook for 10–12 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway through the cooking time.
- Step 9: Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces.
Tips & Variations
- Use fresh chicken tenders for the best texture and flavor.
- For an extra crispy coating, double-dip the tenders by repeating the honey garlic marinade and breadcrumb steps.
- Try using panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, crunchier texture.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Serve with dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or honey mustard for added flavor.
Storage
Allow chicken tenders to cool to room temperature before storing. Place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap each tender tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in a preheated air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes until crispy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen tenders, but be sure to thaw them completely before marinating and cooking to ensure even cooking and the best texture.
What should I serve with Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders?
These tenders pair well with fresh salads (like a honey lemon vinaigrette salad), roasted vegetables, garlic mashed potatoes, creamy mac and cheese, or a quinoa salad. Adding dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese dressing can also enhance the meal.
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Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Deliciously crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders coated in a savory and sweet honey garlic sauce, perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken tenders (fresh or thawed for the best texture)
Honey Garlic Marinade
- ¼ cup honey (adds a delightful sweetness)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for richness and flavor)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (fresh garlic adds aromatic intensity)
Coating
- 1 tsp paprika (adds subtle warmth and color)
- 1 tsp salt (enhances overall flavor)
- ½ tsp black pepper (provides a hint of spice)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular for a crispy coating)
Other
- Cooking spray (ensures even cooking and prevents sticking)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to fully preheat to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Prepare the honey garlic marinade: In a mixing bowl, combine ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, and 3 cloves of minced garlic. Stir well until fully blended into a flavorful marinade.
- Mix the breadcrumb coating: In another bowl, combine 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly to distribute spices evenly.
- Marinate the chicken tenders: Dip each chicken tender into the honey garlic marinade, allowing any excess to drip off to prevent sogginess.
- Coat the chicken with breadcrumbs: Press each marinated chicken tender firmly into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated on all sides for that signature crispy texture.
- Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking during cooking.
- Arrange chicken in the basket: Place the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer inside the basket, making sure they do not overlap. Then spray the tops of the tenders lightly with cooking spray to enhance crispiness.
- Air fry the chicken: Cook the chicken tenders for 10 to 12 minutes at 400°F, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they become evenly golden brown and cooked through.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer, let them rest for a few minutes to retain juiciness, and then serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Notes
- Use fresh chicken tenders for the best texture and flavor.
- For extra crunch, double bread the tenders by dipping again in the honey garlic marinade and breadcrumbs.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and crisping.
- Preheat the air fryer before cooking for optimal texture.
- Serve with a variety of sides like salads, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders, chicken tenders, air fryer recipes, easy chicken recipes, honey garlic chicken
