Description
Crispy and flavorful Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders made easy with an air fryer. These golden-brown chicken strips are coated in seasoned flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs, then air fried to perfection before being tossed in a tangy and sweet homemade honey BBQ sauce. Perfect for a quick dinner or satisfying snack.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Tenders
- 1½ pounds chicken tenders (or chicken breasts, cut into long strips, boneless and skinless)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
For the Honey BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat while you prepare the chicken tenders for cooking.
- Prepare Coating Stations: In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Beat the eggs in a separate shallow dish. Place breadcrumbs in a third dish.
- Coat Chicken: Dredge each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press firmly into the breadcrumbs until fully coated for a crispy crust.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch to allow for even cooking. Lightly spray with cooking spray to enhance crispiness. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air Fry: Cook the tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Make Honey BBQ Sauce: While the chicken cooks, whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce slightly thickens.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Remove the cooked chicken tenders from the air fryer and toss them gently in the warm honey BBQ sauce to coat evenly, or serve the sauce alongside as a dipping option.
Notes
- For extra crispy tenders, spray both sides with cooking spray before air frying.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket for even cooking and optimal crispiness.
- Adjust the honey quantity in the sauce according to your preferred sweetness level.
- If an air fryer is not available, bake the tenders in an oven preheated to 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes instead.
Keywords: Honey BBQ chicken tenders, air fryer chicken, crispy chicken strips, honey BBQ sauce, easy chicken recipe, quick dinner