Air Fryer Recipes

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Best Air Fryers
  • Time & Temp Conversions
Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This recipe for air fryer panko chicken tenders is one dinner you can actually feel good about serving to the kids, and to yourself too! Most chicken tenders rely on loads of oil to develop any crispness whatsoever, but in the air fryer, your chicken tenders will come up nice and crunchy without all that grease! In our version, the only additional fat is a light spritz of olive oil spray (which is naturally rich in healthy omega-3’s, we might add) and your tenders are good to go. Lightly seasoned with salt and pepper, these chicken tenders also make the perfect vehicle for any of your favorite dipping sauces.

How long do you cook chicken tenders in the air fryer?

Chicken tenders should be cooked for 10 minutes in the air fryer at 350°F. You’ll need to turn the tenders 5-7 minutes in to cook evenly.

  • Chicken Tender Air Fryer Time: 10 minutes
  • Chicken Tender Air Fryer Temperature: 350°F
  • USDA Recommended Internal Temperature: 165F

What are chicken tenders?

Chicken tenders are a cut of white meat from the area under the chicken breast (the tenderloin). There are two tenders per chicken. Chicken tenders are often incorrectly referred to as chicken fingers or chicken strips.

What are panko chicken tenders?

Panko chicken tenders are simply chicken tenders breaded with Panko bread crumbs.

Are chicken tenders the same as chicken strips?

While these terms are often used interchangeably, they are not synonymous. Chicken strips are strips of chicken breast while chicken tenders are from an area which is under the breast meat called the tenderloin.

Are air fryer panko chicken tenders good for you?

Chicken tenders are white meat and an excellent source of protein, minerals, and vitamins like vitamin B12/B6, zinc, iron, copper, niacin, selenium, phosphorus, riboflavin, thiamine, and potassium.

Chicken tenders are often fried in fat, which adds a lot of unhealthy fat. However, chicken tenders cooked in an air fryer do not have the bad fat often associated with deep frying.

Should you wash chicken tenders before cooking?

No. Washing raw chicken before cooking can spread the bacteria to your sink and other surfaces utensils. The USDA does not recommend washing chicken before cooking due to the potential for cross-contamination. Cooking poultry to the USDA recommended internal temperature of 165F will kill any bacteria that would have been washed off.

Take it to the next level

For next level chicken tenders, serve with our sriracha aioli.

Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders

These air fryer panko chicken tenders are a sure fire hit with the kids. A quick and easy solution to your appetizer needs. Ready in 20 minutes or less. My kids were practically raised on chicken tenders because they are so easy to make in the air fryer (it doesn't hurt that they will actually eat them as well).
5 stars from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 2 people
Calories 830 kcal

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Oil Sprayer

Ingredients
  

  • 1¼ pounds chicken tenderloins
  • 0.5 cup panko bread crumbs plain or Italian style
  • 1 Egg
  • 0.5 tsp Salt
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper
  • Olive oil spray

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
  • Season chicken tenders with the salt and pepper
  • Break the egg into a bowl and beat
  • Place the bread crumbs in another bowl1
  • Dip chicken tenders (one by one) in egg, coating both sides
  • Roll each chicken tenderloin in panko bread crumbs, ensure a full and equal covering2
  • Spray the air fryer basket with oil
  • Add the chicken tenders to the basket and cook for approximately 10 minutes, flipping halfway3

Notes

1  Try adding 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese to the Panko bread crumbs.
2 drizzling melted butter on the chicken tenders before air frying.
3  Ensure chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Air Fryer Panko Chicken Tenders
Amount per Serving
Calories
830
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
20
g
31
%
Saturated Fat
 
5
g
31
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
4
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
6
g
Cholesterol
 
527
mg
176
%
Sodium
 
2103
mg
91
%
Potassium
 
2231
mg
64
%
Carbohydrates
 
23
g
8
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
130
g
260
%
Vitamin A
 
413
IU
8
%
Vitamin C
 
7
mg
8
%
Calcium
 
113
mg
11
%
Iron
 
4
mg
22
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
KEYWORD(s): Chicken

Filed Under: Chicken, Meat, Recipes

Comments

  1. Julie Zanetti says

    July 24, 2022 at 12:01 PM

    5 stars
    good and easy!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




AIR FRYER CALCULATOR

Convert oven times and temps to air fryer times and temps

→ See Calculator

POPULAR RECIPES

  • Crunchy Onion Rings
  • Air fryer Panko Breaded Shrimp
  • Chicken wings oil free air fryer Air Fryer Crispy BBQ Wings
  • Air Fryer Onion & Sage Stuffing Balls
  • Satay Air Fryer Chicken Skewers

AIR FRYER COOKBOOKS


Recipe by Cuisine Type

  • American
  • Italian

Navigation

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Best Air Fryers
  • Time & Temp Conversions

Recent Recipes

  • Air Fried Pigs in Blankets (The British Way)
  • Air Fryer French Toast Sticks
  • Air Fryer Apple Turnovers
  • Air Fried Chicken Kofta
  • Air Fried Cheesecake

From the Fryer

  • 5 Key Advantages of Cooking with an Air Fryer
  • Air Fryer Keto Mozzarella Sticks
  • Air Fryer Southern Fried Catfish

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Disclaimer
© 2019–2023 Lionshare Holdings, LLC - Air Fryer Recipe Series. All rights reserved. All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Amazon Affiliate Disclaimer: Lionshare Holdings, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.