Classic Chicken Tenders
Classic Chicken Tenders is made with chicken tenders, buttermilk, flour, panko breadcrumbs; air fry at 400°F for 14 minutes to serve 4. 300 calories per serving.
Ingredients
Steps
- 1
Soak tenders in buttermilk with salt for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).
- 2
Mix flour with garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder in one bowl. Panko in another.
- 3
Remove tenders from buttermilk. Dredge in seasoned flour, shake off excess, then press into panko.
- 4
Spray both sides with oil. Air fry at 400°F for 6-7 minutes per side until golden and 165°F internal.
- 5
Serve with honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or ranch.
Tip: The buttermilk soak tenderizes the meat and helps the breading stick. Don't skip it — plain tenders taste dry and the coating falls off.
Why Air Fry This?
- ⏱️Ready in 14 minutes vs ~25 in a conventional oven — no preheating needed.
- 🫒Uses up to 80% less oil than deep frying, bringing this down to 300 calories per serving.
- ✨Achieves the same golden, crispy texture without submerging food in oil.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Cook Classic Chicken Tenders at 400°F for 14 minutes. The buttermilk soak tenderizes the meat and helps the breading stick. Don't skip it — plain tenders taste dry and the coating falls off.
You need: 1.5 lbs chicken tenders, 1 cup buttermilk, Salt & pepper, 1 cup flour, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp onion powder, Honey mustard, BBQ sauce, Ranch. This recipe serves 4 with 300 calories per serving.
Classic Chicken Tenders takes 14 minutes total at 400°F. Serve with honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or ranch.
This recipe is rated Easy. It serves 4 and takes just 14 minutes at 400°F.
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