Here’s a crispy, sticky, and flavorful recipe for Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders—perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or crowd-pleasing appetizer.
🍗 Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
✅ Ingredients:
For the Chicken Tenders:
-
1 lb chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
-
½ cup all-purpose flour
-
2 eggs, beaten
-
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
-
½ tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp paprika
-
Salt and pepper to taste
-
Cooking spray or a little oil
For the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce:
-
¼ cup honey
-
2 tbsp unsalted butter
-
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
-
1 tbsp soy sauce (optional, for depth)
-
½ tbsp sriracha or chili flakes (optional, for a kick)
🔥 Instructions:
1. Prep the Chicken:
-
Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
-
Dredge each piece in flour → dip in beaten egg → coat in panko breadcrumbs.
2. Air Fry the Tenders:
-
Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
-
Lightly spray tenders with oil.
-
Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. Internal temp should be 165°F (74°C).
3. Make the Sauce:
-
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
-
Add minced garlic; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
-
Stir in honey, soy sauce (if using), and sriracha (if using).
-
Simmer for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Toss & Serve:
-
Toss crispy chicken tenders in the warm honey butter garlic sauce until well coated.
-
Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley, sesame seeds, or green onions.
🍽 Tips:
-
Want extra-crispy tenders? Toast the panko in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes before coating.
-
Serve with rice, over salad, or as sliders.
-
Add a splash of lemon juice to brighten the sauce.
Would you like a version of this with no breading or a keto-friendly option?