Crispy AirFryer Chicken Strips Recipe
All-time childhood favorite meets healthy weeknight dinner via extra crispy Air Fryer Chicken Strips! With just 8 minutes of cook time, they’re a fast, family-friendly recipe that kids of all ages (and kids at heart!) will adore.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Strips
Homemade is Better. A from-scratch version of the boxed frozen chicken strips and fast food chicken fingers I loved as a kid, these air fried chicken tenders are made with simple ingredients. They’re nutritious, delicious upgrade from their processed counterparts.
Healthy. Thanks to the air fryer, you can enjoy crispy breaded chicken, with very little oil (same with other breaded favorites like Air Fryer Shrimp and Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks!).
Crispy AND Juicy. These chicken fingers are gratifyingly crunchy outside, juicy inside, and perfectly dippable (see sauce ideas below).
Freezer Friendly. Make a big batch for the freezer, then air fryer frozen chicken tenders directly from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
Goes with Anything. Serve them alongside a simple Arugula Salad or have some fun with Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, and you have a simple, healthy dinner that’s a shoo-in for your greatest hits list.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Regular AND Panko Breadcrumbs. A combination of both coarse Panko and finger regular breadcrumbs is the key to making chicken tenders crispy. I find these result in a crispier, more satisfying tenders than recipes made with flour.
Have Fun with the Seasonings. I’ve suggested some light seasoning that gives the chicken Strips flavor without losing the simplicity of their appeal. Feel free to add cayenne to make them spicy or swap in Cajun seasoning for a twist.
You Can Make Your Own Strips. If your store doesn’t carry chicken tenderloins, make your own by slicing a boneless, skinless chicken breast lengthwise into strips (about a 1/2-inch thick).
Cooking Times Vary by Model. How long chicken Strips stay in the air fryer will depend upon your model, as well as how crisp you would like them to be. In my model at 400 degrees F, the chicken tenders cook in 7 to 8 minutes.
Healthy, extra crispy air fryer chicken STRIPS. Made with simple ingredients, they taste far better (and are better for you!) than frozen or fried!
PREP TIME: 5minutes
COOK TIME: 20minutes
TOTAL TIME: 25minutes
SERVINGS: 4 servings (about 14 tenders)
INGREDIENTS For Crispy AirFryer Chicken Strips Recipe
FOR THE AIR FRYER CHICKEN STRIPS:
2 pounds chicken tenders about 142 teaspoons kosher salt divided
2 large eggs
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/3 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Olive oil spray
FOR DIPPING (optional):
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
Honey Mustard Sauce from this Pecan Crusted Chicken
Barbecue Sauce
Basil Yogurt Sauce from these Zucchini Fries
INSTRUCTIONS For Crispy AirFryer Chicken Strips Recipe
With paper towels, pat the chicken tenders dry. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
In a shallow bowl (a pie dish works well) beat the eggs together. In a second shallow bowl, stir together the panko, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, pepper, and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and keep it nearby.
Coat the chicken tenders: Working a few at a time, dip each piece of chicken into the egg, then into the breadcrumb mixture, patting it gently as needed to adhere. Shake off excess.
Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining pieces.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. If you’d like to keep the chicken warm between batches, turn a regular oven to 250 degrees F.
Coat the air fryer basket with the olive oil cooking spray, then add chicken tenders in a single layer so that they are not touching (I can cook 4 at a time). Coat the top of the chicken tenders with oil spray.
Cook the chicken for 7 to 8 minutes, pulling out the air fryer basket and flipping the pieces over once halfway through. (The chicken should register at least 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer and the outsides will be golden brown and crisp.)
Repeat with remaining chicken tenders, keeping them warm in the oven between batches as desired. Enjoy hot.
NOTES:
TO STORE: Refrigerate chicken tenders in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in the oven at 350 degrees F, in the air fryer, or in the microwave.
TO FREEZE: Lay cooked chicken tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze until solid, then transfer the frozen tenders to an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen.
NUTRITIONAL INFO:
SERVING:1(of4)CALORIES:343kcalCARBOHYDRATES:12gPROTEIN:53gFAT:9gSATURATEDFAT:2gPOLYUNSATURATEDFAT:2gMONOUNSATURATED FAT: 3gTRANS FAT: 1gCHOLESTEROL: 227mgPOTASSIUM: 913mgFIBER: 2gSUGAR: 1gVITAMIN A: 680IUVITAMIN C: 5mgCALCIUM: 37mgIRON: 2mg