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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard

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These crispy air fryer chicken tenders with honey mustard are quick, easy, and perfectly crunchy. Made with a double-coating technique and a tangy-sweet honey mustard sauce, they’re a weeknight dinner winner that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) chicken breast, sliced into 1-inch strips
  • 1.5 cups (120g) panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Olive oil spray (or avocado oil spray)
  • ¼ cup (60g) Dijon mustard (recommend Grey Poupon)
  • 3 tablespoons (60g) honey
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) mayonnaise (full-fat)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken: Place chicken breasts on a cutting board and slice against the grain into 1-inch thick strips. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Set up breading station: In first shallow bowl, mix flour with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. In second bowl, beat eggs with 1 tablespoon water until smooth. In third bowl, combine panko, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir well.
  3. Coat the chicken: Working one strip at a time, dredge in flour mixture, shake off excess. Dip into egg wash, let extra drip off. Press into panko mixture, ensuring full coverage. Place on a plate or tray. Repeat with remaining chicken.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-4 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray air fryer basket with oil. Arrange coated chicken strips in a single layer without overcrowding (about 6-7 strips in a 5.8-quart basket). Cook in batches if needed.
  6. Mist tops of tenders with oil spray. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes. Flip with tongs, spray other side, and cook for another 4-5 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. While chicken cooks, make honey mustard: Whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Taste and adjust sweetness or tang as desired.
  8. Let tenders rest in air fryer basket for 1-2 minutes. Serve immediately with honey mustard sauce on the side.

Notes

For extra crunch, double-coat by dipping panko-coated strip back into egg wash and then into panko again. Let tenders rest 2 minutes before cutting to keep juices inside. If making a big batch, keep cooked tenders warm in a 200°F oven on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Air fryer temperatures vary; check at 6-minute mark the first time. Do not skip oil spray—panko needs fat to brown.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, honey mustard, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, air fryer recipe

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-tenders-with-honey-mustard/