Do you love the taste of crispy yet tender chicken in a crust of breadcrumbs? How about dipping the chicken tenders into a sweet and salty honey mustard sauce – it sounds pretty delicious, right?
Sure, cooking chicken fingers in oil is yummy but it can be unhealthy and that’s why I prefer this air-fryer recipe which is healthier and tastier.
Keep reading to see how easy it is to make air-fryer chicken tenders and how quickly the sauce comes together.
The whole meal takes less than 20 minutes to make and it’s a great lunch or dinner idea even kids will love!
Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce
Equipment
- air fryer
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb chicken breast sliced into strips
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- cooking spray
For dipping sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp lemon juice fresh is preferred
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper.
- In another shallow dish, add the flour.
- In a third shallow dish, beat the eggs.
- Dredge the chicken tenders in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them in the beaten eggs, followed by the panko mixture, making sure the chicken is coated evenly.
- Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. Spray the tops of the chicken tenders with cooking spray.
- Air fry the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking, until they are golden brown and crispy.
- While the chicken tenders are cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the chicken tenders hot with the honey mustard dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- Make sure to preheat your air fryer before cooking the chicken tenders to ensure even cooking.
- It’s important to shake off any excess flour and breadcrumb mixture before placing the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket to prevent them from getting soggy.
- If you don’t have panko breadcrumbs, you can substitute regular breadcrumbs or even crushed cornflakes for a similar texture.
- For a spicier sauce, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce to the honey mustard mixture.
- Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat them, place them in the air fryer for a few minutes until heated through and crispy again.
Nutritional information
Here’s the nutritional information for this recipe per serving, which serves approximately 4 people:
Calories: 438 Fat: 21g Saturated Fat: 3g Cholesterol: 153mg Sodium: 1077mg Potassium: 290mg Carbohydrates: 36g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 11g Protein: 27g
It’s important to note that the nutritional information may vary slightly depending on the specific ingredients used, and the serving size can also impact the overall nutritional value.
However, this information can give you a general idea of the nutritional content of this recipe.
Air-fryer chicken tenders are generally healthier than traditional deep-fried chicken tenders because they’re cooked with less oil. In this recipe, the chicken tenders are coated in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and flour before being air fried until crispy.
Compared to deep-fried chicken tenders, this recipe can help to reduce the amount of saturated fat and calories in the dish.
However, the honey mustard sauce in this recipe does contain some added sugars from the honey. While honey is a natural sweetener, it’s still important to consume added sugars in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Overall, this recipe can be considered a healthier option for enjoying chicken tenders, but as with all foods, it’s important to consume them in moderation and as part of a balanced diet.
How do you know when the chicken is cooked in the air-fryer?
To ensure that chicken is cooked through in the air-fryer, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For chicken tenders, the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) to be fully cooked.
To check the temperature, insert the meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken tender, making sure that the thermometer doesn’t touch bone. If the temperature reads below 165°F (74°C), return the chicken to the air-fryer and continue cooking for a few more minutes before checking again.
Another way to check if the chicken is cooked is to cut into one of the tenders and check that the meat is white and opaque throughout. If the chicken is still pink or translucent, it needs to be cooked for longer.
It’s important not to overcook the chicken tenders, as this can make them dry and tough. If you’re unsure about whether the chicken is fully cooked, it’s always better to check the temperature or cut into one of the tenders to be sure.
Conclusion
I hope you really enjoy this recipe. I know it’s super simple and basic but it’s one of those tasty dinners that tastes like takeout or fast food yet it’s still healthier.
I recommend you try different dipping sauces: honey-garlic, yoghurt, mayo and garlic are just some of the dipping sauces you can make.
I also have a recipe for a delicious 2 minute tartar sauce recipe for those who want a more savory-sour flavored sauce for the chicken.