Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
These air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and coated in a sweet, savory, buttery garlic glaze. They’re quick to prepare and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, appetizer, or family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tenders
- 1½ lb (680 g) chicken tenders
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray
For the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, optional
Directions
1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. If using chicken breasts, slice them into evenly sized strips.
2. Set Up the Breading
Place the flour in a shallow bowl. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs. In a third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Coat each chicken tender in flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs. Finally, press it into the seasoned breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
3. Air Fry the Chicken
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer, leaving space between each piece.
Spray the tops of the tenders lightly with oil. Air fry for 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Cook in batches if necessary.
4. Make the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
While the chicken cooks, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30–60 seconds, until fragrant.
Stir in the honey, parsley, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice, if using. Cook for another minute, then remove from the heat.
5. Coat the Chicken
Transfer the cooked chicken tenders to a large bowl or serving platter. Drizzle the honey butter garlic sauce over the tenders and gently toss to coat.
For extra crispiness, serve the sauce on the side instead of tossing the chicken in it.
6. Serve
Serve the chicken tenders immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, fries, roasted vegetables, coleslaw, or a fresh salad.
Recipe Tips
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket so the chicken cooks evenly and becomes crisp.
- Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- For extra crunch, lightly spray the breaded tenders with oil before air frying.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breading for a spicier flavor.
- If using frozen chicken tenders, increase the cooking time as needed and check the internal temperature before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3–5 minutes.
Meta Description
These air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders are crispy, juicy, and coated in a sweet and savory garlic butter sauce. An easy family-friendly meal!