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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe with Easy Honey Mustard Dip

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Crispy, juicy chicken tenders made in an air fryer with a simple seasoned breading and served with a tangy-sweet homemade honey mustard dip. A quick, easy, and healthier comfort food option perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) chicken tenderloins or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour (swap with almond flour for gluten-free)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup (100g) panko bread crumbs
  • ¼ cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil spray
  • For the Honey Mustard Dip:
  • ¼ cup (60ml) mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for lighter version)
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) honey
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and cut into uniform strips about 3-4 inches long and 1 inch thick.
  2. Set up breading stations: one bowl with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko bread crumbs mixed with Parmesan, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  3. Dredge each chicken strip in flour, shaking off excess, dip into the egg wash, then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. Press crumbs gently to stick. Place coated tenders on a baking sheet or plate.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  5. Spray tenders lightly with olive oil spray. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Cook for 8 minutes.
  6. Flip tenders, spray again with olive oil, and cook for another 6-8 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cook in batches if needed.
  7. While chicken cooks, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth for the honey mustard dip.
  8. Let tenders rest for 2 minutes before serving with honey mustard dip on the side.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to help breading stick. Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Lightly spray olive oil before and after placing tenders in air fryer for golden crispiness. Do not overcrowd air fryer basket. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For gluten-free, swap flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour and gluten-free panko. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or replace with nutritional yeast. Honey mustard dip keeps refrigerated up to one week.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, honey mustard dip, easy chicken recipe, healthy fried chicken, gluten-free chicken tenders

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