Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Delicious and easy-to-make chicken tenders coated in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce, cooked to crispy perfection in an air fryer.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tender Coating
- 1 lb chicken tenders Fresh or thawed
- ¼ cup honey Adds sweetness
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted For richness
- 3 cloves garlic, minced Fresh garlic for flavor
- 1 tsp paprika For a hint of spice
- 1 tsp salt To taste
- ½ tsp black pepper To taste
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular) Panko recommended for extra crispiness
- Cooking spray For air frying
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 later.
- Dip each chicken tender into the honey garlic mixture, ensuring an even coating, then roll the tenders in breadcrumbs to create a crispy layer.
- Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to preheat.
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.
Serving
- Drizzle the reserved honey garlic sauce over the tenders for an extra burst of flavor. Serve immediately.
Notes
For deeper flavor, marinate the chicken tenders in the honey garlic mixture for 30 minutes to an hour before coating with breadcrumbs. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes.