Chicken Tenders Recipe

Introduction

This Garlic Chicken recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken tenders coated in a flavorful honey garlic sauce and crispy breadcrumbs. Perfectly cooked in an air fryer, it’s a quick and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 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

1. Step 1: In a bowl, mix together honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
2. Step 2: Add chicken tenders to the bowl and coat them evenly with the honey garlic mixture.
3. Step 3: On a separate plate, spread out the breadcrumbs.
4. Step 4: Dredge each chicken tender in the breadcrumbs and ensure they are fully coated.
5. Step 5: Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and spray the basket with cooking spray.
6. Step 6: Place the breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap.
7. Step 7: Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
8. Step 8: Remove from the air fryer and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular.
• You can add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the marinade for a spicy kick.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the chicken tenders in a preheated oven at 400°F (205°C) for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Use fresh garlic for best flavor, or substitute with 1 tsp garlic powder if needed.

Storage

Store any leftover garlic chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?

It’s best to use thawed chicken tenders to ensure even cooking and proper coating with the honey garlic mixture and breadcrumbs.

What can I serve with garlic chicken?

This garlic chicken pairs well with steamed vegetables, a fresh salad, rice, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

Chicken Tenders Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 185 reviews

This Garlic Chicken recipe features tender chicken tenders coated in a flavorful honey garlic butter mixture, seasoned with paprika and spices, then breaded and air fried to crispy perfection. A quick and delicious option for an easy weeknight dinner without the guilt of deep frying.

• Author: Nethan
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Marinade

• 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

Coating

• 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
• Cooking spray

Instructions

1. Prepare the Honey Garlic Mixture: In a bowl, mix together honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined, creating a flavorful marinade that will coat the chicken evenly.
2. Coat the Chicken: Add the chicken tenders to the bowl and toss well to ensure each piece is fully coated with the honey garlic mixture for maximum flavor infusion.
3. Prepare the Breadcrumbs: Spread the breadcrumbs evenly on a separate plate to create a surface for dredging the chicken tenders, which will add crunch after cooking.
4. Dredge the Chicken: Take each coated chicken tender and thoroughly dredge it in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure an even coating covering all sides.
5. Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 380°F (193°C) and spray the basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and promote crispiness.
6. Air Fry the Chicken: Place the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overlaps. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to achieve an even golden-brown crust and tender cooked-through chicken.
7. Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and enhance the flavor.

Notes

• You can use either panko or regular breadcrumbs depending on your preference for texture; panko gives a lighter, crispier crust.
• Ensure the chicken tenders are spaced out in the air fryer basket so the hot air circulates properly, creating a crisp coating.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, this recipe can be adapted for baking in a conventional oven at 400°F for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• For added flavor, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving.
• Use unsalted butter to control the salt level, especially if adjusting seasoning to taste.

Keywords: Garlic chicken, honey garlic chicken, air fryer chicken, crispy chicken tenders, easy chicken recipe, honey butter chicken