Save Crispy, golden chicken tenders with a festive twist—coated in a seasoned breadcrumb crust and air-fried for a healthier, crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish.
This recipe quickly became my go-to for easy gatherings since it creates a deliciously crisp texture without deep-frying.
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Ingredients
- Chicken: 500 g (1 lb) chicken breast tenders, trimmed
- Breading: 100 g (1 cup) panko breadcrumbs 30 g (1/4 cup) grated Parmesan cheese 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp dried thyme 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper Zest of 1 lemon
- Dipping & Coating: 2 large eggs 2 tbsp milk 40 g (1/3 cup) all-purpose flour
- Optional Garnish: 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley Cranberry sauce or honey mustard, for serving
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Instructions
- Step 1:
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F) for 3 minutes.
- Step 2:
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
- Step 3:
- Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour one with beaten eggs and milk one with panko Parmesan paprika garlic powder thyme salt pepper and lemon zest mixed together.
- Step 4:
- Dredge each chicken tender in flour shaking off excess Dip in egg mixture then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture pressing gently for adhesion.
- Step 5:
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer working in batches if needed.
- Step 6:
- Air fry for 8 minutes flip then air fry for another 57 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Step 7:
- Serve warm garnished with parsley and accompanied by your favorite festive dip.
Save My family eagerly gathers around the table for these chicken tenders, enjoying the festive flavors and easy cleanup.
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Required Tools
Air fryer Three shallow bowls Tongs Kitchen thermometer (recommended)
Allergen Information
Contains: Egg milk (dairy) wheat (gluten) and cheese (milk). Always double-check ingredient labels for hidden allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories 280 Total Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 23 g Protein 32 g per serving.
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For best results serve these tenders fresh and hot with your preferred festive dip.
