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

Chicken strips are a popular dish, but can they be made in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Air fryer chicken tenders are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken strips, as they require little to no oil. The air fryer also ensures that the tenders are super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

To make chicken strips in an air fryer, start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper. Then, prepare your breading station by beating eggs in one bowl and mixing breadcrumbs and spices in another. Dip the chicken tenders in the egg mixture, then coat them with the breadcrumb mixture. Spray the tenders with oil, and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook for around 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.

So, if you're looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal that the whole family will enjoy, air fryer chicken strips are a perfect choice!

How to make chicken strips in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Chicken breast tenders or tenderloins
• Olive oil or cooking spray
• Breadcrumbs (regular, Italian, or panko)
• Spices (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, etc.)
• Eggs
• Flour (all-purpose or potato starch)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Season the chicken tenders with salt and pepper, and toss them in flour.
• Prepare your breading station by beating eggs in one shallow bowl and mixing breadcrumbs and spices in another.
• Dip each chicken tender in the egg mixture, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture.
• Place the breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Spray the tops with olive oil or cooking spray.
• Air fry the chicken tenders for 7-8 minutes, then flip them over and spray the other side with oil or cooking spray. Air fry for another 6-8 minutes until golden brown.
• Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and repeat with any remaining tenders.
• Let the tenders cool for a few minutes, then serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken tenders in batches if needed.
• Always preheat your air fryer for even cooking and crispiness.
• For extra juiciness and crispiness, brine the chicken tenders in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar for at least 30 minutes before breading and cooking.

What to serve with air-fried chicken strips

There are many options for what to serve with air-fried chicken strips. Here are some ideas:

Vegetables

You can serve chicken strips with a simple vegetable side dish, such as roasted green beans with bacon, zucchini, or a broccoli salad.

Carbohydrates

For a more indulgent option, you could serve the chicken strips with French fries, tater tots, sweet potato fries, or onion rings. If you're looking for something more substantial, they also go well with pasta salads or baked mac and cheese.

Sauces

Chicken strips can be served with a variety of sauces for dipping, such as ranch, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, honey sriracha sauce, or a sweet and spicy Korean sauce.

Salads

If you're looking for a lighter option, the chicken strips can be served on top of a salad.

Traditional Sides

For a more traditional route, you could serve them with regular French fries or sweet potato fries cooked in the air fryer.

How to store leftover chicken strips

To store leftover chicken strips, it's important to act quickly to prevent bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Staphylococcus aureus from multiplying. You should aim to place the chicken in an airtight container or seal it in an unused food-grade plastic bag within two hours of cooking. This will ensure the chicken stays fresh for three to four days.

When storing, it's best to use airtight glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids, as these help preserve freshness and prevent odour transfer to other items in the fridge. You can also wrap the chicken strips in aluminium foil or plastic wrap, but make sure they are tightly sealed so air can't get in and affect the quality and safety of the meat.

Takeout containers are not ideal for storing leftover chicken, as they often don't have tight-fitting lids.

Some signs that your leftover chicken has gone bad include discolouration (a grey or green hue), mould on the surface, and a slimy texture. Spoiled chicken may also give off a foul, acidic odour. If you're unsure, it's best to follow the three- to four-day timeline as a guide and discard the chicken after this period.

To reheat leftover chicken strips, you can use an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and place the chicken in a single layer in the basket. Cook for three to five minutes, regularly checking the internal temperature, which should reach 165°F when the chicken is safely heated through.

How to freeze chicken strips

Freezing chicken strips is a great way to meal prep and ensure you always have a tasty treat to hand on busy nights. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Strips

First, you will need to cut some chicken breasts into equal-sized strips. You can also buy chicken tenders or chicken tenderloins, which are already cut into strips.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading

Get three separate bowls. In the first bowl, add some flour, salt, and pepper, and mix well. Beat a couple of eggs in the second bowl. In the third bowl, add some breadcrumbs. You can use regular, whole wheat, or plain panko breadcrumbs. For extra flavour, you can add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to the breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken Strips

Take each chicken strip and first dredge it in the flour, then dip it in the egg, and finally, coat it with the breadcrumbs. Make sure the chicken is thoroughly coated at each stage.

Step 4: Freeze the Breaded Chicken Strips

Place the breaded chicken strips on a plate or baking pan and put them in the freezer for at least two hours or until they are frozen solid. Once they are frozen, you can transfer them to a large freezer bag.

Step 5: Cooking the Frozen Chicken Strips

When you are ready to eat the chicken strips, preheat your oven to 350-450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen chicken strips on a greased or parchment-covered baking sheet. Bake for around 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and crispy. You can also cook the chicken strips in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-12 minutes.

Tips:

• You can bake the chicken strips before freezing them if you prefer.
• If you want to add extra moisture to the chicken and ensure a crispy exterior, you can brine the chicken tenders before breading them. To brine, mix water, salt, and sugar in a bowl, submerge the chicken tenders, and let them sit for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.
• To prevent soggy chicken strips, pat the chicken dry after brining and use enough oil spray to cover the breading before cooking.
• You can serve the chicken strips with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ranch, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or sweet and sour sauce.

How long to cook chicken strips in an air fryer

Cooking chicken strips in an air fryer is a great way to get that crispy texture without the need for deep frying. The cooking time will depend on the model and power of your air fryer, but here is a general guide.

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). While the air fryer is heating up, prepare your chicken strips by seasoning them and coating them in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. You can also try brining the chicken for 30 minutes before coating to make the tenders extra juicy.

Once the air fryer is preheated, place the chicken strips in a single layer in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd them. Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray or oil.

Cook the chicken strips for 8 minutes, then flip them over and spray the other side with cooking spray or oil. Continue cooking for another 4-6 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the crust is golden and crispy.

If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to do multiple batches, keeping the first batch warm in the oven while cooking the rest.

Frequently asked questions