Air Fryer Homemade Chicken Strips: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Yes, you can make homemade chicken strips in an air fryer. They are healthier than fried chicken strips and can be just as crispy with way less oil. You can use a variety of seasonings and spices to flavour the chicken, and serve them with a dip or side of your choice.

How to make chicken tenders from scratch

Chicken tenders are a great, healthier alternative to frying. They're easy to make and are perfect for a weeknight dinner. Here's how to make them from scratch:

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need:

• Chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into strips
• Olive oil or another oil of your choice (such as avocado, vegetable, or corn oil)
• Breadcrumbs (preferably Panko for extra crunch)
• Spices and seasonings of your choice (e.g. salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning)
• Eggs
• Flour (all-purpose or potato starch)
• Lemon wedges (optional)

Method

• Brine the Chicken (optional): For extra juicy chicken tenders, you can brine the chicken tenders in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight. This step helps to retain moisture in the meat.
• Prepare the Chicken: If you are using chicken breasts, cut them into strips. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl.
• Make the Breading: In a separate bowl, mix together your chosen spices and seasonings with the breadcrumbs. In another bowl, beat the eggs. Add the flour to a third bowl. You can also add some spices to the flour for extra flavour.
• Coat the Chicken: Drizzle or coat the chicken tenders with oil, then dip them in the flour, followed by the egg, and finally, the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the chicken is well coated.
• Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them so they cook evenly. You may need to cook them in batches. Lightly spray the tenders with cooking spray or oil. Air fry for about 8 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and golden.

Your homemade chicken tenders are now ready to be served! Enjoy them with your favourite dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, sweet and sour sauce, or ranch.

How to brine chicken tenders

Yes, you can make homemade chicken strips in an air fryer! Here is a guide on how to brine chicken tenders to make them extra juicy and flavourful.

Brining chicken is a great way to ensure your chicken tenders are juicy and full of flavour. The process of brining involves submerging the chicken in a seasoned water solution, which the meat absorbs, keeping it moist and tasty. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to brine chicken tenders:

• Create a basic brining solution by dissolving 1/4 cup of kosher salt into 1 quart (4 cups) of warm water. You can also add some sugar and other aromatics like star anise to the solution.
• Whisk the solution until the salt and sugar granules are dissolved.
• Submerge the chicken tenders in the solution and let them brine for at least 30 minutes to overnight in the refrigerator. The longer they brine, the more intense the flavour and moisture retention. However, after about two hours, the meat can start to get mushy, so be mindful of that.
• After brining, remove the chicken tenders from the solution and pat them dry with a paper towel. This step is important to prevent soggy chicken tenders.
• If you are short on time, you can simply sprinkle the chicken tenders with a 2:1 ratio of salt and sugar, and let that absorb while you prepare the rest of your ingredients.

Air Frying the Chicken Tenders:

Once your chicken tenders have brined, it's time to bread and air fry them! Here is a simple method to get crispy and golden chicken tenders:

• Prepare your breading station by beating eggs in one bowl and combining breadcrumbs and spices in another bowl. You can use a variety of spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
• Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. Ensure the chicken is well-coated.
• Place the breaded chicken tenders on a cutting board or baking tray.
• Spray both sides of the chicken tenders with a light coating of neutral oil spray, such as avocado or canola oil. This step helps the breadcrumbs get extra crispy.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 8 minutes.
• Flip the chicken tenders and air fry for another 4-6 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden and crispy.
• Serve your chicken tenders with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and juicy homemade chicken tenders!

How to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Chicken tenderloins
• Olive oil or neutral-flavoured oil spray
• Spices (e.g. paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper)
• Breadcrumbs (optional)
• Eggs (optional)
• Flour (optional)

Method

• Brine the chicken (optional): Cover the chicken tenders in a brine made from water, salt and sugar for at least 30 minutes, or overnight if possible.
• Prepare the seasoning: Mix your chosen spices in a small bowl.
• Prepare the wet batter (optional): In a separate bowl, mix eggs, flour and some of the seasoning. The consistency should be slightly looser than pancake batter.
• Season the breadcrumbs (optional): If using breadcrumbs, mix these with the remaining seasoning on a tray.
• Dredge the chicken: Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry with a paper towel. Dip the chicken in the wet batter, allowing excess to drip off, then roll in the seasoned breadcrumbs.
• Add oil: Spray the chicken tenders with oil or cooking spray.
• Air fry: Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer in a single layer and cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes. Flip the tenders and cook for another 4-6 minutes, until the breadcrumbs are golden and crispy.
• Rest and serve: Allow the chicken tenders to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• To prevent soggy chicken, ensure the chicken is patted dry after brining and well-coated in oil before air frying.
• Press the breadcrumbs into the chicken firmly to ensure they don't fall off during cooking.
• Adjust the seasoning and spices to your preference.
• Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer, so keep an eye on the chicken tenders as they cook.
• Check the chicken is cooked through by inserting a meat thermometer into the centre; it is ready when it reaches 165°F (74°C).

Serving Suggestions

• BBQ sauce or ranch for dipping
• French fries or sweet potato fries
• Baked mac and cheese
• Roasted green beans with bacon
• Salad

What to serve with air fryer chicken tenders

There are many options for what to serve alongside air fryer chicken tenders. Here are some ideas:

Vegetables

You could serve the chicken tenders with roasted vegetables, such as green beans, broccoli, or asparagus. These can be seasoned with bacon for added flavour.

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates like French fries, tater tots, sweet potato fries, onion rings, or macaroni salad would also be a good pairing.

Salads

A light salad, such as a Mediterranean quinoa salad, would complement the tenders well.

Dips and Sauces

For a more traditional route, you could serve the tenders with some lemon wedges for squeezing. For a dip with a bit of a kick, you could try a sweet and spicy Korean sauce, or a honey mustard sauce. Alternatively, you could try a sweet and sour sauce, BBQ sauce, honey sriracha sauce, or ketchup.

How to store leftover chicken tenders

You can store leftover chicken tenders in the fridge for around four days or in the freezer for around four months.

To store leftover chicken tenders in the fridge, let them cool to room temperature first, then place them in an airtight container and put them in the fridge. Make sure to eat them within four days.

If you want to store leftover chicken tenders in the freezer, place them in a single layer in the freezer until they are frozen solid. Then, put them in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to three months.

• Use airtight containers: Store the chicken tenders in airtight glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. This helps preserve freshness and prevents odours from transferring to other foods in the fridge.
• Don't keep leftover chicken out for too long: Bacteria like Salmonella can multiply quickly on chicken if left out at room temperature for more than two hours.
• Reheat gently: When reheating chicken tenders, avoid using the microwave, as it can make the meat dry and enhance any "warmed-over" flavours. Instead, use the oven, a skillet, or an air fryer. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Add sauce or broth: To keep the chicken tenders moist and minimise any off-flavours, add water, broth, or sauce before reheating.
• Use fresh herbs or spices: Enhance the flavour and mask any off-flavours by adding fresh herbs or spices when reheating the chicken tenders.
• Eat within a day or two: To ensure the best taste and minimise the risk of foodborne illnesses, try to eat leftover chicken within a day or two.

Frequently asked questions