Description
Crispy and flavorful Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders made in the air fryer, coated with a seasoned breadcrumb crust and tossed in a sweet and tangy homemade honey BBQ sauce. Perfect for a quick, delicious meal or party appetizer.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken Tenders
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders (or chicken breasts, cut into long strips, boneless and skinless)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Honey BBQ Sauce
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer. Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat while preparing the chicken.
- Prepare the dredging stations. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Beat the eggs in another shallow dish. Place the breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.
- Coat the chicken tenders. Dredge each chicken tender first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, then press into the breadcrumbs until fully coated.
- Arrange chicken in the air fryer basket. Place the breaded tenders in a single layer without touching. Lightly spray them with cooking spray to enhance crispiness. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Cook the chicken tenders. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Make the Honey BBQ Sauce. While the chicken cooks, whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Simmer for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened.
- Toss or serve with sauce. Remove chicken from the air fryer and toss in the honey BBQ sauce or serve the sauce on the side as a dip.
Notes
- For extra crispy tenders, spray both sides with cooking spray before air frying.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking.
- Adjust the honey amount in the sauce to suit your preferred sweetness level.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, these tenders can be baked in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 oz chicken tenders with sauce)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
