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

Making breaded chicken strips in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to enjoy a classic dish. With just a few simple steps, you can have juicy and tender chicken with a crispy exterior, perfect for dipping into your favourite sauces. This recipe is a great weeknight dinner option that the whole family will love!

Choosing your chicken

Choosing the right chicken is a key step in making breaded chicken strips in an air fryer. You can either buy pre-cut chicken tenders (also called chicken tenderloins) from most grocery stores or cut your own from chicken breasts. If you're cutting your own, use boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice them lengthwise into strips about 1/2-inch thick.

It's important to note that some cheaper varieties of chicken tenders are intentionally filled with water, which can affect the final texture and taste of your breaded chicken strips. Try to choose air-chilled chicken tenders if possible, as they are not pre-packed with water.

Once you have your chicken tenders, the next step is to season them with salt and pepper, or a spice mix of your choice. You can also brine your chicken tenders for 30 minutes to add moisture and keep them juicy during the air frying process. This step is optional but recommended for the best results.

After seasoning or brining, you can move on to the dredging and breading process, followed by air frying your chicken strips to crispy perfection!

Preparing the dredge

Firstly, grab three shallow plates or bowls. You'll need one for the flour, one for the beaten eggs, and another for the breadcrumb mixture. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.

For the flour, you can use regular all-purpose flour. Mix in some seasonings like paprika, parsley flakes, salt, and pepper to add extra flavour to your chicken. Give it a good mix so everything is combined.

In the second bowl, beat a couple of eggs. You can use a fork or a whisk to do this. The eggs will act as a binder, helping the flour and breadcrumb mixtures stick to the chicken.

In the third bowl, prepare your breadcrumb mixture. You can use regular breadcrumbs, Italian breadcrumbs, or Panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Add some salt and pepper to taste, and garlic powder if you like. You can also add other spices like onion powder, cayenne pepper, or Italian seasoning to give your chicken strips an extra kick. Mix everything together so the seasonings are evenly distributed.

Now you have your three plates ready, it's time to start dredging the chicken. Take a piece of chicken and coat it first in the flour mixture. Make sure it's evenly coated, then dip it into the beaten egg, and finally, coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. You can use your hands to press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken, making sure there are no bald spots. Give it a gentle shake to remove any excess.

Place the breaded chicken on a large plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat this process until all your chicken pieces are coated.

Once all your chicken strips are prepared, give the tops a light spray with cooking spray or a neutral oil spray like avocado or olive oil. This will help the breadcrumbs crisp up nicely.

Now your chicken strips are ready to go into the air fryer! Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Follow the cooking instructions for your air fryer, usually around 8 minutes on each side, and you'll have crispy, golden, and juicy chicken strips to enjoy!

Dredging the chicken

Step 1: Prepare the Breading Mixture

Start by preparing your breading stations. In one shallow bowl, whisk a couple of eggs. You can also add some flour to this mixture to create a wet batter that will help the breading adhere better to the chicken. In a separate shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and seasonings. For an extra crunchy texture, opt for Panko breadcrumbs. You can also use a combination of Panko and regular breadcrumbs for a more traditional breading. Season your breading with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to taste. You can also add some Italian seasoning or parsley flakes for an extra flavour boost.

Step 2: Dredge the Chicken

Take each chicken tender and coat it generously with flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip the floured chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it's well-coated. Finally, dip the chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs firmly onto all sides of the chicken to ensure an even and thick coating. Be generous with the breading, as this will ensure a crispy exterior.

Step 3: Spray with Oil

Once your chicken tenders are nicely coated, spray them on both sides with a neutral oil spray like avocado, canola, or olive oil. This step is essential, as it will help the breadcrumbs crisp up and turn golden brown during cooking.

Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection

Preheat your air fryer to around 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tenders in batches. Air fry the tenders for about 8 minutes, then flip them over and continue cooking for an additional 4-7 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and crispy.

Tips for Success:

• Before dredging the chicken, you can brine the tenders in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar for 30 minutes to overnight. This step adds moisture to the meat, resulting in juicier chicken tenders.
• Don't be shy with the oil spray. Ensure all parts of the breading are coated to prevent soggy chicken strips.
• When adding the breading, use your hands to firmly press the breadcrumbs into the chicken, filling in any bald or damp spots. This ensures the breading stays put during cooking.
• Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on the tenders to avoid overcooking.

Now you're ready to create mouth-watering, crispy chicken strips in your air fryer! Enjoy!

Cooking the chicken

Now that your chicken strips are prepared, it's time to cook them in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: Most recipes recommend preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Check your air fryer's instructions for the best results.
• Arrange the chicken in the air fryer basket: Place the chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they don't overlap, as this will ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches.
• Spray the chicken with cooking oil: Lightly mist or spray the tops of the chicken strips with cooking oil. This will help them get that crispy, golden texture.
• Cook the chicken for 5-8 minutes: Place the air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and cook the chicken strips for 5-8 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on your air fryer model and the desired crispiness.
• Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes: After the initial cooking time, flip the chicken strips over and cook for an additional 4-8 minutes. This will ensure even cooking and browning on both sides.
• Check for doneness: The chicken strips are done when they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature.
• Repeat with remaining batches: If you have more chicken strips to cook, repeat the above steps until all the chicken is cooked.
• Serve immediately: Air-fried chicken strips are best served fresh and hot. You can serve them with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or sweet and sour sauce.

Tips for Crispy and Juicy Chicken Strips:

• Brine the chicken: Brining the chicken strips in a saltwater solution for 30 minutes to overnight can help retain moisture and ensure juicy and flavourful chicken.
• Pat the chicken dry: Before coating or seasoning the chicken, make sure to pat it dry with paper towels. This will help the breading or seasonings adhere better and prevent soggy chicken strips.
• Use enough cooking spray: Don't skimp on the cooking spray or oil. Coat all sides of the chicken strips generously to promote even browning and crispiness.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer: Always arrange the chicken strips in a single layer, leaving some space between them. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can lead to uneven cooking and prevent the chicken from getting crispy.
• Adjust cooking times: Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the thickness of the chicken strips. Keep an eye on the chicken during the initial cooking stages to avoid overcooking or drying out the chicken.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve breaded chicken strips from the air fryer. Here are some ideas:

Sauces

You can serve the chicken strips with a variety of sauces for dipping, such as:

• Honey mustard
• Ketchup
• BBQ sauce
• Mustard
• Ranch
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Asian dipping sauce
• Buffalo sauce

Sides

Chicken strips can be served with a variety of side dishes, including:

• French fries
• Sweet potato fries
• Tater tots
• Onion rings
• Roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans or carrots
• Salad
• Orzo with zucchini and tomatoes
• Mediterranean quinoa salad
• Baked mac and cheese
• Roasted green beans with bacon
• Hawaiian macaroni salad

Other

Chicken strips can also be served in a sandwich or diced and used to top a salad.

Frequently asked questions