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Easy Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken Tenders Recipe

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Quick and crispy air fryer Parmesan chicken tenders ready in 20 minutes with minimal cleanup. A simple, crowd-pleasing weeknight dinner that’s healthier than deep-fried versions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders (or boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil spray
  • Your favorite marinara sauce (for dipping, optional)
  • Ranch dressing (for dipping, optional)
  • Honey mustard (for dipping, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  2. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Whisk together until evenly distributed.
  4. Add the chicken tenders to the bowl and toss to coat, pressing the coating into the chicken with your hands.
  5. Spray the air fryer basket lightly with oil.
  6. Place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Work in batches if needed.
  7. Spray the tops of the chicken tenders generously with oil.
  8. Air fry at 400°F for 8 minutes without opening the air fryer.
  9. Flip each tender using tongs and spray the other side with oil.
  10. Air fry for another 4-6 minutes, until golden brown and crispy. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  11. Let the tenders rest in the air fryer basket for 1-2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the resting step after cooking to help the coating adhere. Season the coating generously as chicken tenders are mild. Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F. For best results, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. The coating should be mixed right before use to prevent clumping.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, Parmesan chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, quick chicken recipe, easy weeknight dinner, air fryer recipe

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/easy-air-fryer-parmesan-chicken-tenders-recipe/