Description
Crispy parmesan air fryer chicken tenders deliver golden, crunchy perfection with minimal effort. Seasoned breading and quick cooking ensure restaurant-quality results that will satisfy your craving for a quick, delicious meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.25 pounds (20 ounces) boneless, skinless chicken tenders
Coating Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup white flour
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 6 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Instructions
- Meticulously trim any visible fat from chicken tenders, creating uniform pieces for consistent cooking.
- Establish three distinct seasoning stations: first, combine flour with salt and pepper; second, whisk olive oil with minced garlic; third, blend Panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan cheese, dried basil, and paprika.
- Dredge each tender systematically through flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage, then dip into garlic-infused oil, allowing excess to drip off.
- Roll thoroughly in Panko-Parmesan blend, pressing gently to create a crisp, adherent coating that will transform into a golden crust.
- Carefully arrange breaded tenders in air fryer basket, maintaining space between pieces to promote optimal air circulation and crispiness.
- Program air fryer to 400°F, cooking for 9 minutes, then flip tenders to ensure even browning and continued crispification.
- Continue cooking for additional 8-9 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until chicken reaches safe 165°F, guaranteeing both safety and succulent texture.
- Allow tenders to rest briefly after cooking, which helps retain moisture and sets the crispy exterior.
Notes
- Ensure even coating by using one hand for dry ingredients and another for wet to prevent clumping and messy fingers.
- Pat chicken tenders dry before coating to help breading stick better and achieve maximum crispiness.
- Spray or lightly brush chicken with olive oil before air frying to enhance golden-brown color and extra crunch.
- For gluten-free version, swap white flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs and use certified gluten-free Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg