Description
These Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are golden-brown and glistening with a luscious honey butter glaze, offering a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. Quick to prepare and packed with protein, they make for an irresistible family feast.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine ¼ cup honey, 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix well until everything is fully incorporated, ensuring the garlic is evenly distributed. This should take about 1-2 minutes.
- Add 1 lb of chicken tenders to the bowl and toss them in the honey garlic mixture until they’re completely coated. Make sure each tender is generously covered, which will take about another 1-2 minutes. Look for a shiny glaze on the chicken.
- On a separate plate, spread out 1 cup of breadcrumbs. Dredge each coated chicken tender in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure they adhere well. Aim for a thick coating, which will give you that desired crunch. This process should take around 5 minutes.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C). While the air fryer is heating, take a moment to spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This should take just a minute or two. A good sign that the air fryer is ready is when it starts to emit a slight heat.
- Once preheated, carefully place the breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. This allows for even cooking and crisping. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through to achieve a uniform golden brown color. You'll know they’re done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and are golden and crispy.
- After cooking, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making them juicier. You’ll know they’re ready to serve when they are still warm to the touch but not too hot.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tender
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: For an even crispier coating, try double-breading your chicken tenders. If you have leftover sauce, use it as a glaze during the last few minutes of air frying. You can substitute butter with olive oil for a lighter version.