Why Make This Recipe
Are you ready for a chicken tenders recipe that flies high in flavor without frying your kitchen into chaos? Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders come to rescue your taste buds! This dish gives you crispy, juicy tenders without the oil bath. Seriously, it’s a game changer.
Everyone loves chicken tenders, and this version just elevates the classic with a sweet and savory spin. Plus, who can resist that beautiful honey garlic glaze? It’s perfect for dinner or even a wholesome snack. 🙌
How to Make Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Making these chicken tenders is a breeze. You’ll be wondering why you ever considered takeout. Here’s how to whip them up:
Make the Honey Garlic Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pro tip: Set aside half for drizzling later to amp up the flavor!
Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the honey garlic mixture, making sure they’re fully coated. Then, roll them in breadcrumbs to create that crispy magic.
Preheat the Air Fryer: You’ll want to crank that air fryer up to 400°F (200°C). A hot fryer is key for achieving that golden brown exterior while keeping the chicken tender inside.
Arrange and Cook: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray (we don’t want any stickiness here). Lay the chicken tenders in a single layer and air fry for 10-12 minutes. Flip ’em halfway through for even cooking.
Finish and Serve: Drizzle the reserved honey garlic sauce over the tenders right before serving. Hello, flavor explosion!
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray
Directions
- Make the Honey Garlic Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside half of the mixture to use as a drizzle.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the honey garlic mixture, ensuring an even coating. Roll the tenders in breadcrumbs to create a crispy layer.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature helps achieve a crisp exterior while keeping the chicken tender inside.
- Arrange and Cook: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer and air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle the reserved honey garlic sauce over the tenders for an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately.
How to Serve Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Feeling fancy? Serve these tenders with a side of crispy fries or a fresh salad for some balance (you know, just to pretend you’re healthy 😄). They’re great for dipping in ranch or your favorite sauce, or simply enjoy them as they are! Game day snack? Check. Quick dinner? Check.
How to Store Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
If you actually have leftovers (I mean, good luck with that), just pop them into an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the air fryer or oven to keep that crispy goodness. Do not microwave; no one wants soggy tenders. Yikes!
Tips to Make Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Double the glaze: Trust me, you’ll want more of that honey garlic goodness.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket: Give those tenders space to crisp up and get all golden brown.
- Experiment with spices: Feel free to add some heat with cayenne or your fave seasoning blend. Spice things up, literally!
Variation
Feeling adventurous? Try switching up the breadcrumbs with crushed cornflakes or using chicken breasts instead of tenders for a twist. You can even add some cheese on top during the last few minutes of air frying—because cheese makes everything better, right? 😉
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them beforehand. Cooking times might vary slightly, so keep an eye on them!
2. How do I know when the chicken is done?
Your chicken tenders should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Use a meat thermometer for the win!
3. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
You can def, just use gluten-free breadcrumbs and always check for gluten-free labels on the other ingredients!
And there you have it, Chicken Lovers! Let’s make your kitchen smell heavenly with these Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders. Ready, set, cook! 🐔✨
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
For the honey garlic mixture
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the chicken tenders
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray For the air fryer basket
Instructions
Preparation
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Set aside half of the mixture to use as a drizzle.
- Dip each chicken tender into the honey garlic mixture, ensuring an even coating. Roll the tenders in breadcrumbs to create a crispy layer.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature helps achieve a crisp exterior while keeping the chicken tender inside.
Cooking
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer and air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Drizzle the reserved honey garlic sauce over the tenders for an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately.
Notes
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