Crispy Chicken Tenders: Air Fryer Secrets

Chicken tenders are a delicious, quick-cooking option for lean protein. They can be made in an air fryer with minimal oil, resulting in a crispy and juicy texture that is perfect for dipping in your favourite sauces. The key to achieving this crispy texture lies in the breading process, which typically involves a combination of flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. By following a simple recipe and cooking the tenders in a single layer, you can enjoy homemade chicken tenders that rival any restaurant or frozen variety.

Brining the chicken

To brine the chicken, start by mixing water, kosher salt, and sugar in a large bowl until the salt and sugar are dissolved. You can also add other seasonings of your choice to the brine, such as black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper. Fully submerge the chicken tenders in the brine and let them sit for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight in the refrigerator for the best results.

After brining, it is important to pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels before proceeding to the next step. This will help ensure a crispy exterior when air frying.

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 into the meat while you prepare the other ingredients. This will still make a difference in the flavour and juiciness of the chicken.

Once the chicken is brined and dried, you can move on to the next steps of breading and air frying to create delicious, crispy chicken tenders.

Dipping in egg

Dipping chicken tenders in egg is an important step in the breading process. The egg helps the breadcrumbs to adhere to the chicken tenders.

Step-by-Step Guide to Dipping Chicken Tenders in Egg

• Set up your dredging station. You will need three shallow plates or bowls.
• Beat eggs in one of the shallow plates. You can use two eggs or more, depending on the number of tenders you are preparing.
• In a separate shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and spices. You can use regular breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, or a combination of both.
• Take each chicken tender and dip it into the egg. Ensure that it is well-coated.
• Let any excess egg drip off before moving on to the next step.
• Now, dip the egg-coated tender into the breadcrumb mixture. Use your hands to press the breadcrumbs firmly into the chicken, ensuring all sides are well-coated.
• Gently shake off any excess breadcrumbs.
• Place the breaded tenders on a large dish, baking tray, or cutting board until you have finished breading them all.

Tips for Dipping and Breadings

• Use a combination of regular breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs for the best results. Panko provides a coarser texture and initial crispiness, while regular breadcrumbs help fill in any gaps.
• Be generous with the amount of egg and breadcrumbs you use. This will ensure that the tenders are fully coated and will result in a crispier final product.
• Do not be gentle when breading the tenders. Press the breadcrumbs into the chicken firmly to ensure that the breading does not fall off during the air-frying process.
• If desired, you can double-dip the tenders by coating them in flour, then egg, then flour again, and finally into the egg and breadcrumb mixture. This will create an extra crispy crust.
• If you don't have flour available, you can substitute it with potato starch to achieve a similar effect.

Dipping in breadcrumbs

Dipping chicken tenders in breadcrumbs is a crucial step in achieving that crispy texture and golden colour. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Prepare the breading station:

Start by preparing two shallow bowls or plates. In one bowl, beat a couple of eggs. You can also add a little water to the eggs to achieve a slightly looser consistency, similar to pancake batter. This mixture will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken. In the other bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with your desired seasonings. You can use regular breadcrumbs, Italian breadcrumbs, or Panko breadcrumbs for that extra crunch. Season the breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper to taste. Mix the spices and breadcrumbs together with your hands to ensure an even distribution.

Dredge the chicken tenders:

Take each chicken tender and coat it first in the egg mixture, then in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Make sure to shake off any excess after dipping in the egg and breadcrumbs. You can also gently pat the chicken with your hands to help the breadcrumbs adhere and ensure an even coating. Place the breaded tenders on a large dish or cutting board while you bread the rest.

Spray with oil:

Once all the tenders are coated, spray both sides of each tender generously with oil. You can use a neutral oil spray like avocado oil, olive oil spray, or any other cooking spray. This step is essential to ensure the tenders get that crispy texture in the air fryer.

Air fry to perfection:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don't overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might need to cook the tenders in batches. Air fry the tenders for about 5-8 minutes on each side, flipping them halfway through. The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the desired level of crispiness. Keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking. The tenders are done when the coating is golden and crispy, and the chicken is cooked through.

Tips for crispy chicken tenders:

• Prevent soggy chicken strips by patting the chicken dry before dipping in the egg mixture and using enough oil spray to coat all sides of the breading.
• Be generous with the oil spray to ensure even crispness.
• Don't be gentle when coating the chicken with breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs firmly into the chicken with your hands and shake off any excess. This ensures that the breading adheres well and doesn't fall off during cooking.
• Adjust the seasonings to your preference. You can add or substitute spices like white pepper, dried parsley, rosemary, thyme, cumin, or mustard powder.
• If you have time, brine the chicken tenders before breading and air frying. Brining helps the chicken retain moisture and allows for a crispier exterior. To brine, submerge the chicken tenders in a solution of water, salt, and sugar for at least 30 minutes or overnight for best results.

Cooking in the air fryer

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Before you start, you can brine the chicken tenders in a mixture of water, salt and sugar for 30 minutes to overnight. This will make the chicken extra juicy and allow the exterior to get crispier. If you don't have time to brine, you can simply sprinkle the chicken with a 2:1 ratio of salt and sugar while you prepare the other ingredients.

Next, pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Breading

Set up three shallow plates or bowls. In one, mix together flour, paprika, parsley, seasoned salt, and pepper. In the second, beat an egg or two. In the third, combine breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add onion powder, cayenne pepper, or other spices of your choice.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Dip each chicken tender first in the flour mixture, then in the beaten egg, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure the chicken is fully coated each time.

Step 4: Air Fry the Chicken

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching. Spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray or olive oil spray.

Cook the chicken for 7-8 minutes, then flip the tenders over and spray with cooking spray or olive oil spray again. Cook for another 4-8 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. You may need to cook the tenders in batches.

Step 5: Serve

Air fryer chicken tenders go well with a variety of sides, including fries, roasted vegetables, pasta, or salad. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce, such as ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or sweet and sour sauce.

Tips:

• To prevent soggy chicken strips, make sure to pat the chicken dry after brining and use enough oil spray to cover all parts of the breading before air frying.
• Don't be gentle when breading the chicken tenders in the panko. Use your hands to press the breadcrumbs into the chicken firmly, then shake off any excess.
• Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model and the desired crispiness of the tenders. 8 minutes at 400°F is a good baseline, and you can adjust the cooking time after the first flip to get the tenders as crispy as you like.
• You can make a big batch of these chicken tenders and freeze them to enjoy later. Simply reheat in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal.

Reheating and storing

Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. It is important to let the chicken cool completely before storing it to avoid condensation making the breading soggy.

To reheat chicken tenders in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the tenders in a single layer in the basket and cook for 3-5 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. Check that the tenders are heated through before serving.

You can also reheat chicken tenders in a preheated oven, in a hot skillet, or in the microwave if you are short on time.

Storing Uncooked Chicken Tenders

If you have bought chicken tenders in bulk, or you have prepared a large batch, you can store them in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze them for up to three months.

Frequently asked questions