Today I have for you here a healthy variation of chicken tenders as it is made by air-frying cooking method instead of the traditional deep-frying. Also, the recipe does not use any eggs nor flour and instead uses panko bread crumbs for the crispy crust and buttermilk which acts as the binding agent making the inside juicy.

Why buttermilk?

The secret ingredient to the juiciest chicken is, Buttermilk! The lactic acid in it helps to tenderize the meat thereby making it juicy and flavorful. I highly recommend soaking your chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (preferably overnight) before cooking. And it works for all types of cooking chicken, be it oven-baked, pan-fried, deep-fried or even air-fried.

How to serve?

These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are a perfect appetizer and can be served with your choice of dipping sauce; I personally love Honey Mustard (recipe below), but Ranch is an equal favorite too. Another great option is to serve them as a protein in your sandwiches, taco filling or as is along with a healthy side salad. The chicken tenders are also ideal for your kid’s lunch boxes.

Interested in other appetizer recipes? Check these out:

• Baked Chicken meatballs
• Honey Soy Glazed Chicken

Happy Cooking…!

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Air fryer Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce

Juicy on the inside, and Crispy on the outside without any deep frying. Chicken Tenders can’t get any better than this, right?  The Juiciest Air Fried Chicken tenders!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword air fryer, chicken tenders, healthy

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 minutes minutes

Total Time 18 minutes minutes

Servings 8 Chicken tenders

Author Akhila

Ingredients

• 8 chicken tenders
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp + 1tsp salt
• 1 tsp chili powder / paprika
• 1 tsp oregano (optional)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Cooking spray

For the honey mustard sauce

• ¼ cup honey
• 3 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp dijon mustard
• ¼ tsp apple cider vinegar
• Pinch of garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

For the Chicken Tenders

• Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk with 1tsp salt for 30 minutes (overnight soaking is preferred).
• In a plate combine together panko breadcrumbs, chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, and 1 tsp salt. Mix well as this will be the dry rub coating for your tenders.
• Preheat air fryer to 400 degree F. Remove the soaked chicken from the buttermilk, allowing the excess to drip back into the soaking bowl. Dredge the chicken in the prepared dry rub while applying pressure so that it sticks well to the chicken. Transfer the coated chicken to the air fryer, spray some cooking oil and cook for 5 minutes. Flip onto the other side, spray cooking oil and cook for an additional 4 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 165 F.
• Serve hot along with the Honey Mustard Dressing on the side.

For Honey Mustard Dressing

• Whisk all the ingredients until smooth and serve.

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