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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Easy Recipe with Zesty Lemon Herb Butter

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These crispy air fryer chicken tenders are golden and juicy, coated with a zesty lemon herb butter that adds bright, buttery flavor. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or casual gatherings, they offer a healthier twist on classic comfort food.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds fresh chicken tenders, trimmed of excess fat (or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs (Japanese-style recommended)
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 large eggs, beaten, at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste (kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper recommended)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (use dairy-free butter if needed)
  • Juice of 1 large lemon
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • Olive oil spray for coating tenders before air frying

Instructions

  1. Prep the Lemon Herb Butter: In a small bowl, combine softened unsalted butter with lemon juice, chopped parsley, and thyme. Mix well until smooth and set aside.
  2. Set Up Breading Stations: In one shallow bowl, mix flour with half the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. In a third shallow dish, combine panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan and remaining spices.
  3. Coat the Chicken Tenders: Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into beaten eggs, then press firmly into breadcrumb mixture to coat completely. Place coated tenders on a plate.
  4. Preheat the Air Fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes.
  5. Lightly spray tenders with olive oil. Place in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook for 6-7 minutes, flip, then cook another 6-8 minutes until golden and cooked through (internal temp 165°F or 74°C).
  6. Transfer cooked tenders to a large bowl and immediately toss with the lemon herb butter.
  7. Serve hot with fresh lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

Preheat the air fryer to ensure crispiness. Use panko breadcrumbs for best texture. Lightly spray tenders with olive oil before cooking. Avoid overcrowding the basket. Flip tenders halfway through cooking. Let tenders rest for a minute after tossing in butter to let flavors settle. For gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, use vegan margarine or olive oil instead of butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, lemon herb butter, easy chicken recipe, healthy chicken tenders, quick dinner, gluten-free chicken tenders

Find it online: https://avabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-tenders-easy-recipe-with-zesty-lemon-herb-butter/