These crispy, homemade chicken tenders are the perfect family-friendly meal. The no egg breading method makes them quick to prepare, they cook in minutes in the air fryer, and the crispy, seasoned coating will have everyone asking for seconds.
We’ve always been fans of crispy, crumbed chicken tenders, and my kids would eat them every day if they could. So I wanted to find an easy way to make them at home (so that I know what’s in them) that didn’t involve messing around with raw egg.
After a bit of experimentation, I finally landed on my perfect recipe – use mayo and panko for the breading. Perfectly crispy, season it how you like, and not a raw egg in sight!
What do you need?
- Chicken tenders. This recipe calls for fresh raw chicken tenderloins (chicken goujons), but you could also use chicken breast strips.
- Mayonnaise is much easier to use for breading than raw egg, and creates a deliciously light coating with a satisfying crunch.
- Seasoning. I used a store-bought seasoning rub to make this recipe. Use can use your own favorite chicken seasoning, or mix of herbs and spices.
- Panko breadcrumbs. The crispy coating for this recipe is made using a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, which give the tenders a light texture and crunch. You can use regular breadcrumbs if you prefer.
- Shredded cheese (optional): You can add ¼ cup of shredded cheddar or parmesan to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
Let’s make these homemade crispy chicken tenders!
1
Bread the chicken.
Place the chicken tenderloins in a bowl, then add the mayonnaise and gently toss until the tenders are thoroughly coated. Mix the breadcrumbs, seasonings and cheese together on a plate, then firmly press each chicken tender into the breadcrumbs so that they stick well, and set aside while you crumb the rest of the batch.
2
Prepare the air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer to 360°F / 180°C. Then lightly brush or spray the air fryer basket/ tray with oil to prevent the tenders from sticking, or use an air fryer liner.
3
Air fry the chicken tenders.
Place raw chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Try to ensure they are not touching. Cook them in batches if necessary.
Air fry chicken tenders for around 12-18 minutes, until they are golden brown and cooked through, flipping them over half-way through cooking.
Note: you can also cook these chicken tenders in a regular oven. Just place them on a lined baking sheet, and cook in the oven at 400°F/ 200°C for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
How long to air fry chicken tenders
The exact cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer and how large the tenders are. Chicken tenders need to be cooked until they reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F/ 74°C all the way through.
To confirm they are cooked correctly, check the internal temperature in the center of the largest chicken tenders with an instant-read thermometer.
Serving ideas
- With a side of fries and a classic honey mustard or creamy garlic sauce for dipping.
- Over rice with steamed greens, or slaw, drizzled with teriyaki sauce.
- Slice and serve in warm tortillas with salsa, guacamole and jalapenos.
- Serve in burger buns with bbq sauce and slaw for easy homemade chicken burgers.
Homemade Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 2 lb / 900 g chicken tenders/ chicken goujons (Note 1)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chicken seasoning (Note 2)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar or parmesan (optional)
Directions
- Pat chicken tenderloins dry and place in a bowl. Sprinkle with the seasoning, add the mayonnaise, and toss to coat.
- Mix the breadcrumbs, seasonings and cheese in a large shallow bowl, then add the chicken tenders one at a time, pressing into the breadcrumbs to coat.
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F/ 180°C.
- Place crumbed chicken tenders in air fryer basket in a single layer. Try to ensure they are not touching.
- Air fry chicken tenders for 12-18 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through, flip them over halfway through cooking.
- Check that the largest few chicken tenders have reached the safe temperature of at least 165°F/ 74°C in the center of the thickest part [Note 3]. Air fry for additional 2-3 minute intervals if required until the safe temperature is reached.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken breast strips cut around 1-inch thick.
- Check that your chicken seasoning has salt, if not, substitute one teaspoon of the seasoning for salt (5 teaspoons unsalted seasoning + 1 teaspoon salt = 2 tablespoons).
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to confirm tenders have reached the safe temperature 165°F/ 74°C all the way through before consuming.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and provided for informational purposes only.
