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Classic Chicken Tenders
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High ProteinKid-Friendly
Chicken·Updated May 1, 2025

Classic Chicken Tenders

14 min
Time
400°F
Temp
300 cal
Cal
4
Serves

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.

CD
Chris DeWeese·Editor
Updated May 1, 2025

Ingredients

Chicken
1.5 lbs chicken tenders
1 cup buttermilk
Salt & pepper
Breading
1 cup flour
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
Dipping
Honey mustard
BBQ sauce
Ranch

Equipment

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  • Instant-Read Meat Thermometer
  • Oil Sprayer Mister
  • Air Fryer Parchment Liners

Steps

  1. 1

    Soak tenders in buttermilk with salt for at least 30 minutes (up to overnight).

  2. 2

    Mix flour with garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder in one bowl. Panko in another.

  3. 3

    Remove tenders from buttermilk. Dredge in seasoned flour, shake off excess, then press into panko.

  4. 4

    Spray both sides with oil. Air fry at 400°F for 6-7 minutes per side until golden and 165°F internal.

  5. 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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