Homemade Chicken Tenders {air-fry option}

I’m not quite sure why chicken tenders are always categorized as an appetizer on restaurant menus. To me they are enough for a meal, especially if you add fries. For awhile BF has been wanting to make his own chicken tenders and this afternoon for lunch he made homemade chicken tenders as good if not better than any chicken tender appetizer found on any restaurant menu.

ingredients.

• Four boneless skinless chicken breasts
• Two eggs, beaten
• Progresso garlic and herb bread crumbs
• Peanut oil (for deep-frying)
• Avocado oil (for air-frying)

deep-fry directions.

1. De-fat the chicken breasts and cut into thin strips.
2. In a shallow bowl beat two eggs. Pour bread crumbs into a second shallow bowl.
3. Dip chicken strips into egg then bread crumbs until coated. Do this twice.
4. Fry in a deep fryer filled with peanut oil until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

air-fry directions.

1. Pre-heat air fryer to 400ºF.
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towel and season with a pinch of  salt and pepper.
3. In a medium bowl whisk eggs.
4. In a wide shallow container, place Panko breadcrumbs.
5. Dip chicken into the egg, then dredge in breadcrumbs. Repeat this step. Continue until all chicken is coated.
6. Spray the air fryer basket generously with avocado spray. Place as many chicken tenders in the basket that will fit with plenty of space in between. Spray tenders with additional avocado spray to lightly coat.
7. Fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once halfway through. (I’ve found turning the temp up to 450ºF Browns the chicken better.)
8. Repeat with remaining chicken tenders until they have all been cooked through to an internal temperature of 165ºF.
9. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

These were actually really simple to make. My only complaint was they needed more salt. (But I’m a salt fiend.) I suggested adding salt to the breadcrumb mixture. I added salt when they were done frying and that was fine, too.

Recipe rating: 