Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
These chicken tenders are crispy, juicy, and coated in a luscious honey butter garlic sauce. Using an air fryer ensures a healthier version with less oil but all the flavor and crunch. Perfect for a quick dinner, appetizer, or snack.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 12
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 500g chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred)
- Olive oil spray
Honey Butter Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Set up three bowls: flour mixed with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper; beaten eggs; and breadcrumbs.
- Pat chicken tenders dry. Coat each in flour mixture, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
- Preheat air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3–5 minutes.
- Spray air fryer basket with olive oil. Arrange tenders in a single layer, spray tops lightly with oil.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through (75°C internal temp).
- Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Stir in honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
- Toss cooked tenders in the honey butter garlic sauce. Serve immediately.
Notes
Ensure chicken tenders are dry before breading for a crispier coating.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed.
Adjust sauce sweetness or acidity by varying honey or lemon juice to taste.
Use turkey bacon bits as a garnish for extra flavor if desired.