Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken tenders

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 cup breadcrumbs

• Cooking spray

Instructions:

1. Prep the Chicken:

Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. This helps the coating stick better and keeps them nice and crispy after cooking.

2. Make the Honey Butter Garlic Mixture:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, honey, and minced garlic until well combined.

Tip: You can slightly warm the honey if it’s too thick — it will mix easier that way.

3. Season:

Sprinkle the chicken tenders with salt and black pepper. Make sure all sides are seasoned for the best flavor.

4. Coat the Chicken:

• Dip each chicken tender into the honey butter garlic mixture, making sure it’s fully coated.

• Then, dredge the coated chicken tender into the breadcrumbs. Press gently to make sure the breadcrumbs stick well.

Optional Twist: For extra crunch, you can mix a tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese into the breadcrumbs!

5. Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.

6. Arrange the Chicken:

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer inside the basket. Make sure they aren’t overlapping — you want the hot air to circulate around each tender for that perfect crisp!

Spray the tops of the tenders lightly with more cooking spray. This will help them get golden brown and crispy.

7. Air Fry:

Cook the chicken tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. Spray again lightly after flipping for extra crispiness.

• Check Doneness: The internal temperature should be at least 165°F (74°C). If not, cook for another 1-2 minutes.

8. Serve:

Let the tenders cool slightly before serving. They’ll be super juicy inside and crispy outside!

You can drizzle any extra honey butter garlic sauce over them or serve with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch, spicy mayo, or even extra honey mustard.

Pro Tips:

• Breadcrumb Choices: Use panko breadcrumbs if you like them extra crunchy.

• Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the honey butter mix if you want a little heat.

• Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes to bring back the crisp.