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.
