Rediscover the joy of a childhood classic with this healthy, weeknight-friendly recipe for extra crispy Air Fryer Chicken Strips. Ready in just 8 minutes, these chicken strips are a quick, family-favorite dish that both kids and adults will love.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Strips
Homemade is Better: This recipe brings a homemade twist to the boxed frozen chicken strips and fast-food chicken fingers many of us enjoyed growing up. Made from scratch with simple, wholesome ingredients, these chicken tenders are a nutritious and delicious upgrade from processed versions.
Healthier Option: Thanks to the air fryer, you can savor crispy, breaded chicken with minimal oil. This method also works well for other fried favorites like shrimp and mozzarella sticks.
Crispy and Juicy: These chicken strips offer the perfect balance—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and great for dipping.
Freezer-Friendly: Prepare a large batch and freeze for later. You can cook frozen chicken tenders directly in the air fryer by just adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Versatile Side Dishes: Pair these chicken strips with a simple arugula salad or sweet potato fries for a quick, healthy, and satisfying dinner.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Panko and Regular Breadcrumbs: A mix of coarse panko and regular breadcrumbs is key to achieving extra crispy chicken tenders. This combination yields a crispier result compared to using flour.
Customize the Seasonings: The suggested seasonings add flavor without overpowering the simplicity of the dish. Feel free to experiment by adding cayenne for spice or substituting Cajun seasoning for a unique twist.
Make Your Own Chicken Strips: If your grocery store doesn’t have chicken tenderloins, you can easily make your own by slicing a boneless, skinless chicken breast lengthwise into strips about ½ inch thick.
Air Fryer Time Varies: Depending on your air fryer model and desired level of crispiness, the cooking time may vary. In most models, at 400°F, the chicken strips should cook in 7-8 minutes.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Strips Recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings (about 14 tenders)
Ingredients
For the Air Fryer Chicken Strips:
2 pounds chicken tenders (about 14 tenders)
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 large eggs
⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
⅓ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Olive oil spray
For Dipping (Optional):
Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
Honey Mustard Sauce
Barbecue Sauce
Basil Yogurt Sauce
Instructions
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