Crispy Golden Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe

Crispy chicken tenders glazed with honey butter garlic sauce are about to become your new weeknight obsession.

These golden air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders deliver restaurant-quality flavor right from your kitchen.

The combination of sweet honey and rich butter creates a mouthwatering coating that clings perfectly to each tender.

Garlic adds a powerful punch of savory depth to this quick and easy meal.

Each bite promises a delightful crunch with a silky, flavor-packed exterior that will have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

The air fryer ensures a crispy texture without excess oil, making this dish both delicious and lighter than traditional fried chicken.

Prepare to fall in love with this simple yet spectacular chicken recipe that turns an ordinary dinner into something extraordinary.

Serve Chicken Tenders With a Dipping Twist

• Flavor Fusion Dips: Pair these crispy chicken tenders with ranch, blue cheese, or spicy sriracha mayo for extra zesty dipping excitement.
• Meal Companion Sides: Serve alongside creamy coleslaw, sweet potato fries, or fresh corn on the cob to create a complete and satisfying meal that balances the tender's rich flavors.
• Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: Arrange tenders on a large wooden board with small sauce bowls, sprinkle fresh herbs, and add lemon wedges for a visually appealing and interactive dining experience that guests will love.
• Quick Leftover Transformation: Slice cold tenders into salad topping, stuff inside wraps, or chop into bite-sized pieces for game day nachos to reinvent the dish and minimize food waste.

Smart Storage Tips for Crispy Chicken Leftovers

• Store cooked chicken tenders in an airtight container, keeping them refrigerated for 3-4 days. Carefully layer with parchment paper between pieces to prevent sticking and maintain crispiness.
• Revive leftover tenders in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes. This method restores the original crunch and prevents sogginess that happens with microwave heating.
• Keep honey butter garlic sauce separately in a sealed glass jar in the refrigerator. This approach maintains sauce quality and allows flexible serving options for up to one week.
• Wrap uncoated, cooled chicken tenders individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating and coating with sauce.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients for Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders

• Flour: Helps create a smooth base layer for the breading, ensuring maximum crispiness and even coating.
• Eggs: Binds the breading to the chicken, creating a golden and crisp exterior.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Adds delightful crunch and light texture to the chicken tenders.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses a robust, aromatic flavor throughout the breading.
• Onion Powder: Provides subtle sweetness and depth to the coating.
• Paprika: Contributes warm color and mild smoky undertone.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste profile.

• Butter: Creates rich, creamy base for the honey garlic glaze.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and beautiful golden color.
• Garlic: Delivers bold, pungent flavor that complements the chicken.
• Soy Sauce: Introduces savory umami depth to the sauce.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Provides gentle heat and subtle spiciness.

• Parsley: Adds fresh, bright color and subtle herbaceous note.
• Olive Oil Spray: Ensures crispy exterior and prevents sticking during air frying.

Tools to Air Fry Garlic Chicken Tenders Just Right

• Air Fryer: Essential for achieving crispy, golden chicken tenders without excess oil.
• Small Saucepan: Perfect for creating the delicious honey butter garlic sauce.
• Mixing Bowls (3): Crucial for setting up breading stations with flour, eggs, and seasoned panko.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.
• Cutting Board: Useful for preparing garlic and chopping parsley.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for mincing garlic and chopping herbs.
• Tongs: Great for flipping chicken tenders in the air fryer and handling cooked chicken.

How to Make Crispy Honey Garlic Chicken in the Air Fryer

• Breading Setup

Grab three bowls and create a delicious coating station. Fill one with flour, another with whisked eggs, and the last with crunchy panko mixed with zesty spices like garlic and onion powder.

• Chicken Transformation

Lovingly dunk each tender first in flour, then baptize it in egg, and finally roll it through the seasoned breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure a super crispy exterior.

• Air Frying Magic

Fire up your air fryer to a toasty 375°F. Arrange chicken tenders in a single layer, giving them a light olive oil spritz. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping midway to achieve golden perfection.

• Heavenly Sauce Creation

Melt butter in a small pan over medium heat. Introduce minced garlic, sweet honey, savory soy sauce, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Let the flavors dance together for a quick 1-2 minutes.

• Final Flavor Fusion

Lovingly coat those crispy tenders in the irresistible honey butter garlic sauce. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve alongside your favorite dipping companions.

Flavor Ideas to Level Up These Chicken Tenders

• Press panko mixture firmly onto chicken tenders to create an extra crispy exterior that locks in moisture and delivers maximum texture.
• Prepare breaded chicken tenders up to 24 hours in advance and store in refrigerator, covered, for quick cooking when needed.
• Replace wheat flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising flavor.
• Adjust red pepper flakes from a pinch to a tablespoon depending on heat preference, allowing personalized spiciness for every palate.
• Swap chicken tenders with turkey strips, tofu cutlets, or cauliflower florets for diverse dietary needs while maintaining the delicious honey butter garlic coating.

Golden Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crispy air fryer honey butter garlic chicken tenders marry sweet and savory flavors in a quick, irresistible meal. Golden-brown tenders drizzled with a luscious honey garlic butter sauce promise a delightful dinner that satisfies your craving for comfort and excitement.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
• ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 cup (240 g) panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated (optional, for extra crispiness)
• ¼ cup (57 g) butter
• 3 tbsps (63 g) honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Cooking spray or olive oil spray

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Instructions

1. Breading Preparation: Establish three distinct seasoning zones – flour, whisked eggs, and panko breadcrumbs enhanced with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Chicken Coating: Thoroughly dredge each tender through flour, immerse in egg mixture, then generously roll in seasoned panko, ensuring a uniform, crisp exterior by gently pressing crumbs onto surface.
3. Air Frying Process: Activate air fryer to 375°F, strategically position chicken tenders in single layer with light olive oil spray, cooking 10-12 minutes and rotating midway for consistent golden-brown crispiness.
4. Honey Butter Sauce Creation: Gently melt butter in saucepan over medium heat, incorporating minced garlic, honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes, simmering briefly to develop rich, complex flavor profile.
5. Final Presentation: Lavishly coat crispy chicken tenders in freshly prepared honey butter garlic sauce, garnishing with chopped parsley and accompanying preferred dipping sauces for an elevated culinary experience.

Notes

• Press breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken tenders to ensure a thick, even crust that stays crisp during air frying.
• Arrange chicken tenders in a single layer without touching to guarantee optimal air circulation and even browning.
• Use a meat thermometer to check internal chicken temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption without drying out the meat.
• Toss chicken quickly in sauce to maintain crispiness, avoiding soggy tenders by coating just before serving.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg