Air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sweet, savory, garlicky glaze that makes every bite irresistible. This recipe brings together the perfect mix of crunch, flavor, and ease—ideal for weeknight dinners, game day snacks, or when I’m just craving something deliciously homemade.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it takes classic chicken tenders to the next level without needing deep frying. The air fryer gives them that perfect golden texture with much less oil, and the honey butter garlic sauce is sticky, flavorful, and completely addictive. They’re quick to make, easy to customize, and great for dipping or serving over rice or salad.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Chicken Tenders:
- Chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts (cut into strips)
- All-purpose flour
- Eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray (for air fryer)
For the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce:
- Butter
- Fresh garlic (minced)
- Honey
- Soy sauce
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Directions
- I set up a breading station with three bowls—one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- I dredge each chicken strip in flour, dip it into the egg, then coat it in the seasoned panko.
- I place the breaded tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray them lightly with cooking spray.
- I cook at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they’re crispy and golden.
- While the chicken cooks, I melt butter in a small saucepan, add the garlic, and sauté for a minute. Then I stir in the honey and soy sauce, cooking just until warm and combined.
- When the tenders are done, I toss them in the honey butter garlic sauce or drizzle it over the top before serving.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings. It takes about 15 minutes to prep and 10–12 minutes to cook, so everything is ready in under 30 minutes.
Variations
- I add red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the glaze for a spicy version.
- Using gluten-free breadcrumbs and tamari makes this recipe gluten-free.
- For a lower-carb option, I use almond flour instead of traditional breading.
- I’ve also made them with chicken thighs—they’re super juicy!
Storage/Reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat and keep them crispy, I pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F for about 5 minutes. They’re not ideal for freezing after saucing, but the breaded, uncooked tenders freeze well if I want to prep ahead.
FAQs
Can I make these without breading?
Yes, I’ve made them unbreaded too! I season the chicken well and air fry, then toss in the sauce afterward. They’re a little lighter but still full of flavor.
What’s the best way to keep them crispy?
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, and flip the tenders halfway through cooking. Spraying with a little oil helps the breadcrumbs crisp up nicely.
Can I bake these instead?
Yes. I bake them at 425°F for 18–20 minutes, flipping once. They still get crispy, especially with a wire rack on the baking sheet.
How spicy is the sauce?
The sauce is mild as-is. I make it spicier by adding red pepper flakes, sriracha, or cayenne to taste.
What can I serve with these?
I like them with rice, roasted veggies, or a simple salad. They’re also great with fries or in wraps and sandwiches.
Conclusion
Air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders are the perfect blend of crispy, sticky, sweet, and savory. They’re fast, flavorful, and feel like comfort food without the heaviness of deep frying. Whether I’m making a quick dinner or prepping a party platter, this recipe is always a winner in my kitchen.
Print
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course, Appetizer
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Description
These air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders are ultra-crispy, sweet, savory, and full of bold flavor—perfect for a fast weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing appetizer. Made without deep frying, they’re a healthier spin on comfort food that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray or olive oil spray
- For the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- Optional: 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with eggs, and one with panko mixed with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dredge chicken in flour, dip in eggs, then coat with seasoned panko.
- Place in air fryer basket in a single layer and spray lightly with oil.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until warmed through.
- Toss cooked tenders in the sauce or drizzle over top before serving.
Notes
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer—cook in batches if needed for max crisp.
- Great with fries, over rice, or in wraps.
- You can also bake them at 425°F for 18–20 minutes if needed.
