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.
