Chicken Tenders Recipe
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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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