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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard – Easy 20-Minute Dinner

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These crispy air fryer chicken tenders with honey mustard are quick, easy, and deliver deep-fried satisfaction without the guilt. Perfect for busy weeknights, they feature a shatteringly crunchy coating and a tangy-sweet honey mustard sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds chicken breast tenders (or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature), beaten with 1 tablespoon water
  • 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil spray (for misting)
  • 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Set up your breading station: In three shallow bowls, place flour in the first, beaten eggs with water in the second, and combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in the third.
  2. Prep the chicken: If using whole chicken breasts, slice into strips about 1 inch wide and 4-5 inches long. Pat dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Bread the chicken: Working one piece at a time, dredge in flour (shake off excess), dip in egg wash (let excess drip off), then press firmly into breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Place on a wire rack or plate. Repeat with all strips.
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Arrange breaded tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket (do not overcrowd). Lightly spray tops with olive oil spray.
  6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. At the 5-minute mark, flip each tender and spray the other side with oil. Continue cooking until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. While chicken cooks, make honey mustard: Whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Adjust to taste.
  8. Let cooked tenders rest on a clean wire rack for 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately with honey mustard sauce for dipping.

Notes

For maximum crunch, press breadcrumbs firmly into the chicken. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Flip halfway through and spray both sides with oil. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F. Leftover tenders can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, honey mustard, easy dinner, weeknight dinner, chicken tenders recipe

Find it online: https://evabake.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-tenders-with-honey-mustard-easy-20-minute-dinner/