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

Chicken breast strips, or chicken tenders, are a quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer. They're a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken strips, and they can be seasoned and served in a variety of ways. Here are some tips and tricks to make delicious chicken breast strips in an air fryer.

Choosing a breading

The breading you choose for your chicken breast strips will depend on your taste preferences and dietary requirements.

Regular breadcrumbs are a popular choice, as they are versatile and can be used as a base for other flavours. For a lighter, crispier texture, panko breadcrumbs are a great option. If you're after a gluten-free option, there are gluten-free breadcrumbs available, or you could opt for almond flour, which is also a good low-carb choice.

For a crunchier bite, crushed pork rinds are a good choice, and for those on a keto diet, crushed pork finds are a keto-friendly option.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could even try pretzel coating or a spicy option like Cajun seasoning.

Once you've chosen your breading, remember to spray it with enough oil to prevent it from burning in the air fryer. This will also help to ensure your chicken strips turn out crispy rather than dry and hard.

Marinating the chicken

Choosing the Chicken

Before you begin marinating, decide on the type of chicken you want to use. Chicken tenderloins, also known as chicken strips or goujons, are the leanest part of the chicken and are located under the breast. You can also use regular boneless and skinless chicken breasts and cut them into large strips. If you go with this option, use a sharp chef's knife to slice the chicken breast into uniform strips about 1 inch thick. Each chicken breast should yield 4-6 strips, depending on its size and thickness.

The Marinade

The marinade plays a key role in adding flavour and tenderness to your chicken. Here are the ingredients you will need:

• Oil: Avocado oil or olive oil are great choices due to their high smoke points. You can also use other neutral-flavoured oils.
• Acid: White vinegar is an excellent choice as it helps tenderise the chicken by breaking down the meat fibres.
• Seasonings: You can choose from a variety of seasonings to flavour your chicken. Some popular options include Italian seasoning, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings like cayenne pepper, chilli pepper, or red pepper flakes to add some heat.

Marinating Process

Now that you have your chicken and marinade ready, it's time to combine them:

• In a large bowl, add the cut chicken strips.
• Pour in the oil, vinegar, and all the seasonings.
• Use tongs or a large spoon to stir everything together until the chicken strips are evenly coated in the marinade.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or aluminium foil and place it in the refrigerator.
• Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to 2 hours. This step is crucial for tender and juicy chicken. However, do not marinate for more than 12 hours, as it can over-tenderise the meat and give it a mushy texture.

Tips

• If you're short on time, you can use chicken tenderloins that are already cut, or chicken thighs, but reduce the cooking time by a couple of minutes.
• Always use fresh, high-quality chicken for the best results.
• If you want to add some crunch to your chicken strips, consider breading them after marinating. You can use regular breadcrumbs, panko, almond flour, or even crushed pork rinds.
• When breading, make sure to spray enough oil on the chicken to hold the breading in place and prevent it from burning in the air fryer.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chicken breast strips in an air fryer will depend on a few factors, such as the size and thickness of the chicken strips, the type of breading used, and the brand and model of the air fryer.

For breaded chicken strips, preheat your air fryer to between 370°F and 400°F. The cooking time will be around 10 to 15 minutes, flipping the chicken strips halfway through. You'll know they're done when they're crispy and golden, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

For unbreaded chicken strips, preheat your air fryer to between 370°F and 380°F. The cooking time will be around 7 to 11 minutes, again flipping the chicken strips halfway through. As with breaded strips, they're done when they're golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer and the thickness of your chicken strips, so it's always a good idea to keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Dipping sauces

Chicken breast strips cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. Here are some ideas:

Honey-Mustard Sauce

This sauce is a great combination of sweet and tangy. It is made with mayonnaise, honey, and mustard, with a pinch of salt and pepper to round out the flavours. You can also add a touch of lemon juice to the sauce. This sauce pairs perfectly with the air fryer chicken tenders, and it only needs five ingredients!

Chick-Fil-A Sauce

This sauce is smoky and sweet with a slight tang. It is a copycat of the famous Chick-Fil-A sauce and is perfect for dipping chicken strips, nuggets, or grilled chicken. It is made with mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, honey, and mustard. You can also add some spices like garlic, black pepper, or paprika to give it a little heat.

Ranch Sauce

A creamy and tangy ranch sauce is a perfect dip for chicken tenders. It is similar to the Chick-Fil-A sauce but with a more pronounced tang. You can make it with simple pantry ingredients like mayonnaise, garlic salt, black pepper, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.

BBQ Sauce

A sweet and tangy barbecue sauce is always a great option for dipping chicken strips. You can use a store-bought BBQ sauce or make your own by combining ingredients like ketchup, vinegar, molasses, and spices.

Honey BBQ Sauce

For a slightly sweeter option, you can use a honey BBQ sauce. This sauce is a perfect combination of sweet and tangy, and it pairs perfectly with the crispy chicken strips.

Spicy Dips

If you like a little spice, you can add some hot sauce, chili sauce, or a spicy ketchup to your dipping sauce. These dips will add a nice kick to your chicken strips.

Freezing and reheating

Freezing:

If you want to freeze your cooked chicken strips, it is best to use an airtight container. Place the container in the freezer and consume the chicken within three months. However, for optimal taste and texture, it is recommended to eat the chicken within four days of cooking and storing it in the refrigerator.

Reheating:

When you are ready to enjoy your frozen chicken strips again, take them out of the freezer and follow these steps:

• Preheat your air fryer: Set the temperature to between 350°F and 375°F (some sources recommend 360°F specifically). This step ensures that your chicken strips will become crispy again.
• Prepare the chicken strips: Let the frozen chicken strips thaw and come to room temperature for about 10 minutes. Brush or spray the strips lightly with oil to enhance crispiness and help retain moisture. You can also season the strips with salt and pepper, if desired.
• Place the strips in the air fryer basket: Ensure the strips are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Leave some space between each strip to allow for proper air circulation. If you have a lot of chicken strips, you may need to reheat them in batches.
• Reheat the chicken strips: Place the basket of chicken strips into the preheated air fryer. Reheat for 5-7 minutes, then shake or flip the strips to ensure even cooking. Continue reheating for an additional 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the strips.
• Check for doneness: Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken strips. For food safety, the chicken strips must reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
• Optional extra crisping: If you want your chicken strips to be crispier, you can increase the air fryer temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the last minute of cooking.

Your chicken breast strips are now ready to be enjoyed again! This reheating process helps retain moisture and crispiness, giving you juicy and delicious results.

Frequently asked questions