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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Crispy and Juicy: The air fryer gives these chicken tenders a perfect crispy exterior while keeping them moist inside.

  • Sweet and Smoky Flavor: Honey BBQ sauce adds a delicious sweetness with just the right amount of tangy BBQ flavor.

  • Quick and Easy: Made in the air fryer, these tenders cook quickly without the mess of traditional frying.

  • Family-Friendly: A hit with both kids and adults, perfect for dinner, game nights, or meal prep.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders (about 8 tenders)

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for spraying)

Directions

  1. Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

  2. Prepare the Coating: Set up a breading station. In one shallow dish, place flour. In another, beat the eggs. In a third dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

  3. Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken tender in the flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure it sticks.

  4. Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.

  5. Cook the Chicken: Lightly spray the chicken tenders with olive oil. Arrange the tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.

  6. Make the Honey BBQ Sauce: While the chicken cooks, mix BBQ sauce and honey in a small bowl until smooth.

  7. Coat the Chicken with Sauce: Once the chicken tenders are done, remove them from the air fryer and toss them in the honey BBQ sauce, coating each tender evenly.

  8. Serve: Serve immediately with your favorite sides, such as fries, coleslaw, or a fresh salad.

Servings and Timing

  • Servings: 4

  • Preparation Time: 10 minutes

  • Cooking Time: 8-10 minutes

  • Total Time: 20 minutes

Variations

  • Spicy Kick: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the honey BBQ sauce for a spicy twist.

  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.

  • Baked Version: If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.

  • Additional Coatings: For extra crunch, use crushed cornflakes instead of panko breadcrumbs.

Storage/Reheating

  • Storage: Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

  • Freezing: To freeze, place cooked chicken tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes to warm through.

  • Reheating: Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for about 4-5 minutes to restore their crispiness.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?

Yes, you can use chicken breast cut into strips, but you may need to adjust the cooking time.

Can I make these tenders ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep the chicken and bread it in advance, then store it in the fridge or freeze it before cooking.

Is this recipe spicy?

The recipe itself is not spicy, but you can add hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the BBQ sauce for a spicier kick.

Can I use a different BBQ sauce?

Absolutely! You can use any BBQ sauce you prefer, whether it’s tangy, sweet, smoky, or spicy.

How do I make these tenders extra crispy?

Make sure to spray the chicken tenders with a light coat of olive oil before cooking, and don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket.

Can I cook these chicken tenders in a regular oven?

Yes, if you don’t have an air fryer, bake them in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Can I skip the breading process?

Yes, you can cook the chicken without breading for a lighter option, but the texture will be different.

Are these chicken tenders suitable for meal prep?

Yes, they store well in the fridge for a few days and can be reheated easily in the air fryer.

Can I use other types of sauce for these tenders?

Yes, you can try different sauces like buffalo, teriyaki, or ranch for dipping.

How do I ensure the chicken is fully cooked?

The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.

Conclusion

Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders are a quick, delicious, and healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce, these tenders are perfect for any occasion. With minimal prep and cooking time, they’re sure to become a new favorite in your meal rotation.

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Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders

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  • Author: Alice
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8-10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

Air Fryer Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders are a quick, crispy, and juicy alternative to deep-fried chicken. Coated in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce, these tenders are easy to make and cook quickly in the air fryer, making them perfect for a healthier family-friendly meal or game night snack.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Tenders:

  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders (about 8 tenders)

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Honey BBQ Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce

  • 2 tablespoons honey

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for spraying)

Instructions

  • Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.

  • Prepare the Coating: Set up a breading station with flour, beaten eggs, and a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

  • Coat the Chicken: Dredge each tender in flour, dip in beaten eggs, and coat with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure it sticks.

  • Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.

  • Cook the Chicken: Lightly spray chicken tenders with olive oil. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden brown and crispy.

  • Make the Honey BBQ Sauce: In a small bowl, mix BBQ sauce and honey until smooth.

  • Coat with Sauce: Toss the cooked chicken tenders in the honey BBQ sauce, coating them evenly.

  • Serve: Serve immediately with your favorite sides such as fries, coleslaw, or a fresh salad.

Notes

Add a spicy kick by incorporating cayenne pepper or hot sauce into the BBQ sauce.For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.For extra crunch, try using crushed cornflakes instead of panko breadcrumbs.If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 12-15 minutes.To store leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.Reheat leftovers in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.

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