Air-Fryer Chicken Strips: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Chicken strips are a versatile dish that can be served with just about anything, from salads to pasta. While they are typically deep-fried, air frying is a healthier alternative that yields crispy, juicy, and tender chicken strips. The cooking time and temperature vary depending on the model and power of the air fryer, but generally, the strips are cooked for 9-11 minutes at 380°F or 10-12 minutes at 400°F. The breading, which typically consists of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, also affects the cooking time.

Chicken strip breading and seasoning

Chicken strips can be breaded and seasoned in a variety of ways before being cooked in an air fryer.

One option is to use a flour and egg mixture as the base for the breading. Combine flour with seasonings like paprika, parsley, seasoned salt, and pepper in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat an egg. Dredge the chicken strips in the seasoned flour, then dip them in the beaten egg, and finally, coat them again in the seasoned flour. You can also add breadcrumbs, such as panko, to the flour mixture for an extra crispy texture.

Another option is to create a wet batter for the chicken strips. Mix together water, kosher salt, and sugar until dissolved. Submerge the chicken strips in this brine for at least 30 minutes to add moisture and flavour. In a separate bowl, mix together kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper for the seasoning. Combine eggs, flour, and some of the seasoning mix to create a wet batter. The chicken strips can then be dipped in this batter and coated with breadcrumbs before air frying.

When using breadcrumbs, it is recommended to spray the chicken strips with a neutral oil spray, such as avocado oil or olive oil, to help the breadcrumbs get extra crispy.

If you prefer to avoid breading altogether, you can simply season the chicken strips with salt, pepper, and other seasonings of your choice, and then drizzle or spray them with olive oil or avocado oil before placing them in the air fryer.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking chicken strips in an air fryer depend on several factors, including the model and power of the air fryer, whether the chicken is frozen or raw, and the thickness of the chicken strips.

Most sources recommend preheating the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cooking the chicken strips for a total of 8 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. However, some sources suggest cooking at a slightly lower temperature of 390°F or 380°F. If you are using frozen chicken strips, you may need to increase the cooking time to 11 to 12 minutes, and you may not need to preheat the air fryer or flip the strips halfway through. Thicker chicken strips may also require a slightly longer cooking time.

It is important to ensure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly before consuming it. One way to check this is to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

Additionally, it is worth noting that the cooking time may vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, so you may need to adjust the timing based on your specific model.

Chicken strip arrangement in the air fryer

When arranging chicken strips in the air fryer, it's important to ensure they are placed in a single layer and evenly spaced, without overlapping or touching each other if possible. This allows for even cooking and browning. If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken strips in batches.

For breaded chicken strips, start by coating the chicken tenders with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Then, place them in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Spray the tops of the chicken tenders with cooking spray or oil to ensure they get crispy.

If you're cooking frozen chicken tenders, preheat your air fryer to 350-360 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through. For uncooked chicken tenders, preheat the air fryer to 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the chicken strips for 7-11 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.

Depending on the model and power of your air fryer, cooking times may vary. It's important to keep an eye on the chicken strips to ensure they don't overcook and dry out. The internal temperature of the chicken strips should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit when they are done.

Chicken strip doneness

Chicken strips cooked in an air fryer should be golden and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The cooking time will depend on the brand and size of your air fryer, but on average, it takes 5 to 8 minutes on each side, or 10 to 16 minutes in total.

When cooking chicken strips in an air fryer, it is important to not overcrowd the basket and to cook the strips in batches if needed. The strips should be placed in a single layer, evenly spaced, and not touching each other to ensure even cooking.

Additionally, the use of cooking spray or oil is crucial to achieving the desired crispiness and preventing the chicken from drying out. The chicken strips should be generously coated or sprayed with oil or cooking spray before and during the cooking process. This helps to create a crispy exterior and moist interior.

Some recipes also suggest brining the chicken or using a quick marinade to enhance the tenderness and juiciness of the meat. However, it is important to pat the chicken dry after brining to prevent sogginess and ensure a crispy texture.

Chicken strip serving suggestions

Chicken strips cooked in an air fryer are incredibly juicy, tender, and simple to make. They are versatile and can be served in a variety of ways.

One option is to serve them on a salad. They can be diced and used as a topping, or served on the side with a salad. Chicken strips can also be used in a wrap or a grain bowl.

For a more traditional option, serve the chicken strips with regular French fries or sweet potato fries, cooked in the air fryer or baked in the oven. Tater tots are another side option.

Chicken strips can also be served with a dipping sauce. Some sauce options include honey mustard, sweet-spicy sauce, or an Asian dipping sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try a honey garlic sauce made with fish sauce or soy sauce.

Chicken strips can also be served with zucchini tomato orzo, lemon wedges, broccoli and orzo, or Mediterranean quinoa salad.

Frequently asked questions