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Crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Chicken Tenders

crispy air fryer parmesan chicken tenders - featured image
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These crispy air fryer Parmesan chicken tenders offer a perfect balance of a crunchy, cheesy crust and juicy meat inside, making them an easy and delicious dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) chicken tenders, trimmed and patted dry
  • ½ cup (50 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese (preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano)
  • ¾ cup (75 g) panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme mix)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil spray or cooking spray

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
  2. Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of Parmesan, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
  3. Dredge each chicken tender first in flour, shaking off excess.
  4. Dip into beaten eggs, letting excess drip off.
  5. Press into the Parmesan-panko mixture, coating all sides well. Place on a plate or baking sheet.
  6. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  7. Arrange tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each to avoid overcrowding.
  8. Lightly spray tenders with olive oil spray.
  9. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through (around 5-6 minutes), until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  10. Let tenders rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to ensure coating sticks well and stays crispy. Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to maintain crispiness. Use olive oil spray for even browning. If tenders are not crispy enough, air fry for an additional 2 minutes watching carefully to avoid burning. For gluten-free, substitute flour and panko with almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan or use nutritional yeast.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, Parmesan chicken, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner, healthy fried chicken

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/crispy-air-fryer-parmesan-chicken-tenders-easy-perfect-recipe-for-dinner/