Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders

Table of Contents

Description

These crispy, juicy, and flavorful chicken tenders are coated in a sweet and savory honey butter garlic sauce. Cooking them in an air fryer makes them healthier than deep-fried versions while keeping the crunch! Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or a quick snack.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Tenders:

1 lb (450g) chicken tenders

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

½ cup cornstarch

2 large eggs

2 tbsp milk

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

½ tsp smoked paprika

½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for spice)

Cooking spray or oil (for air fryer)

For the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce:

3 tbsp unsalted butter

¼ cup honey

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tbsp soy sauce

1 tsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

Instructions

Prep the Breading Station

In one bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.

In a second bowl, whisk eggs and milk together.

In a third bowl, place panko breadcrumbs.

Coat the Chicken

Dip each chicken tender into the flour mixture, shaking off excess.

Dip into the egg mixture.

Coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.

Air Fry the Chicken

Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.

Arrange chicken tenders in a single layer, not touching.

Spray the tops of the chicken with a little oil.

Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and crispy.

Make the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce

In a pan over medium heat, melt butter.

Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Stir in honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar.

Simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened.

Coat and Serve

Toss crispy chicken tenders in the honey butter garlic sauce OR drizzle over the top.

Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, rice, or veggies.

Tips for the Best Chicken Tenders

Use cornstarch in the coating for extra crispiness.

Preheat the air fryer so tenders cook evenly and stay crunchy.

Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket—cook in batches if needed.

For extra crunch, double-coat by dipping back into the egg and breadcrumbs before air frying.

Want it spicier? Add sriracha to the sauce or use more cayenne pepper.

For a lighter version, skip the breading and air fry with just seasoning.