These Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sweet and savory honey butter garlic sauce. They are quick to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a satisfying meal or snack.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crispy and flavorful without deep frying
- Quick and easy to make in the air fryer
- Perfect balance of sweet, buttery, and garlicky flavors
- Great for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner
- Kid-friendly and perfect for dipping
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Chicken tenders
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
- Eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil spray
Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
- Butter
- Honey
- Garlic (minced)
- Soy sauce
- Red pepper flakes (optional for spice)
Directions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray the basket with olive oil.
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs.
- In a third bowl, place panko breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, dip into the eggs, then coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place the tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray lightly with olive oil.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 75°C).
- While the tenders cook, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes, then simmer for 2 minutes.
- Toss the cooked chicken tenders in the honey butter garlic sauce until well coated.
- Serve immediately with dipping sauces or over rice.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add more red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
- Extra Crunchy: Double coat with egg and breadcrumbs for extra crispiness.
- Lemon Twist: Add a splash of lemon juice to the sauce for a citrusy touch.
- Baked Version: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked tenders in a single layer, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes or until crispy and heated through.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Yes, I slice chicken breasts into strips for a similar result.
How do I keep the coating from falling off?
Press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken and let them rest for 5 minutes before air frying.
Can I make this in a regular oven?
Yes, bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
What dipping sauces go well with these tenders?
I love serving them with ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo.
How do I make these tenders less sweet?
Reduce the honey in the sauce and add more soy sauce or a squeeze of lemon for balance.
Conclusion
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are crispy, flavorful, and irresistibly delicious. Whether I make them for a quick dinner, meal prep, or a game-day snack, they always turn out perfect. The sweet and garlicky sauce takes them to the next level, making them a must-try recipe!
Print
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sweet and savory honey butter garlic sauce. They are quick to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for a satisfying meal or snack.
Ingredients
- Chicken tenders – 1 pound, trimmed
- All-purpose flour – ½ cup, for coating
- Cornstarch – ¼ cup, for extra crispiness
- Eggs – 2 large, beaten
- Panko breadcrumbs – 1 ½ cups, for a crunchy texture
- Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon, for seasoning
- Paprika – 1 teaspoon, for a hint of smokiness
- Salt and pepper – to taste
- Olive oil spray – for air frying
Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
- Butter – 3 tablespoons, melted
- Honey – ¼ cup, for sweetness
- Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
- Soy sauce – 1 tablespoon, for umami depth
- Red pepper flakes (optional) – ½ teaspoon, for a spicy kick
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and lightly spray the basket with olive oil.
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs.
- In a third bowl, place panko breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, dip into the eggs, then coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place the tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray lightly with olive oil.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 75°C).
- While the tenders cook, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes, then simmer for 2 minutes.
- Toss the cooked chicken tenders in the honey butter garlic sauce until well coated.
- Serve immediately with dipping sauces or over rice.
Notes
- For extra crunch, use crushed cornflakes instead of panko.
- Let the coated chicken rest for 5 minutes before air frying to help the breading adhere.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket for even cooking.
- If using frozen tenders, add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.
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