Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders — a delicious, juicy, and crispy dish that combines the savory goodness of chicken tenders with the rich flavors of honey, butter, and garlic. Air frying helps achieve a perfect crisp without the need for excessive oil, making it a healthier version of a classic fried dish. The honey butter garlic sauce takes the dish to a whole new level, making it both sweet and savory with just the right amount of richness.
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Introduction
Chicken tenders are a beloved comfort food that’s incredibly versatile. In this recipe, chicken tenders are coated in a light, crispy breading, air-fried to golden perfection, and then tossed in a flavorful honey butter garlic sauce that is sweet, savory, and irresistible. The result is tender, juicy chicken tenders with an added layer of mouthwatering flavor.
Using an air fryer to cook these chicken tenders is a great way to make them crispy without all the oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep frying while maintaining all the flavor.
Let’s get into the details of making these delicious Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1 lb (450g) chicken tenders (about 8-10 pieces)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for a bit of heat)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking spray (for lightly spraying the chicken tenders for crispiness)
For the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional, for a tangy balance)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional, for extra herb flavor)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken Tenders
- Pat the chicken tenders dry: Use paper towels to pat the chicken tenders dry. This will help the breading adhere better and achieve a crispier result.
- Set up the breading station: You will need three shallow bowls for breading:
- In the first bowl, place the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix these ingredients together until well combined.
- In the second bowl, beat the eggs.
- In the third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat the chicken tenders: Take each chicken tender and dip it into the flour mixture, making sure it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess flour, then dip it into the egg wash, followed by the panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to ensure the breadcrumbs stick.
2. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes. Preheating helps ensure the chicken cooks evenly and crisps up perfectly.
3. Air Fry the Chicken Tenders
- Prepare the air fryer basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or coat it with cooking spray to prevent sticking. If you prefer, you can also lightly brush the chicken tenders with a little olive oil to help them crisp up even more.
- Arrange the chicken tenders: Place the breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they aren’t overcrowded. If necessary, cook them in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Air fry the chicken: Air fry the chicken tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time. The chicken should be golden brown and crispy on the outside, and the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Tip: If you like your chicken extra crispy, you can air fry for an additional 2-3 minutes after the initial cooking time.
4. Prepare the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
While the chicken tenders are cooking, you can prepare the honey butter garlic sauce. This sauce is the star of the dish, adding sweetness, richness, and savory garlic flavor to each tender bite.
- Melt the butter: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Add the garlic: Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Add the honey and seasonings: Stir in the honey, lemon juice, and dried thyme (if using). Stir everything together and let it simmer for 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can simmer it a little longer, but make sure not to burn it.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding more honey for sweetness or lemon juice for tang if desired.
5. Coat the Chicken Tenders with Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
Once the chicken tenders are done cooking, transfer them to a large mixing bowl or platter. While they’re still hot, drizzle the honey butter garlic sauce over the chicken tenders, tossing them gently to coat evenly. You can also use a spoon to pour the sauce over each piece individually.
If you’d like, garnish with some freshly chopped parsley to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Serve the Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders immediately. These tenders are perfect on their own or paired with a variety of side dishes like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, corn on the cob, or a fresh green salad. They also go great with dipping sauces such as ranch, blue cheese, or even more honey butter garlic sauce.
Tips for Success:
- Use fresh chicken tenders: Fresh chicken tenders work best for this recipe. If you use frozen tenders, make sure they are fully thawed and patted dry before breading them to ensure a crispy coating.
- Coat the chicken well: Be generous with the breading to achieve a crispy, crunchy texture. Don’t rush the breading process—ensure each piece is well-coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer: Make sure the chicken tenders are in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can cause uneven cooking and prevent the chicken from crisping up properly. If you have a lot of tenders, cook them in batches.
- Monitor the temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) to guarantee it’s fully cooked.
- Adjust sweetness and tang: If you like your honey butter garlic sauce a bit sweeter, add extra honey. If you prefer more tang, a splash more lemon juice will balance it out nicely.
Conclusion
These Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are the perfect combination of crispy, juicy, savory, and sweet flavors. The air fryer ensures the chicken is light and crispy while the honey butter garlic sauce adds a luscious, flavorful finish that takes the dish over the top. This recipe is sure to be a hit with family and friends, and it’s a great choice for a weeknight dinner, a game-day snack, or a fun, easy meal for any occasion.
The best part? You get all the crispy, golden goodness without the mess or excess oil of traditional frying. Enjoy your delicious, healthier honey butter garlic chicken tenders! 🍗✨