All-time childhood favorite meets healthy weeknight dinner via extra crispy Air Fryer Chicken Strips! With just 8 minutes of cook time, they’re a fast, family-friendly recipe that kids of all ages (and kids at heart!) will adore.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Strips
Homemade is Better. A from-scratch version of the boxed frozen chicken strips and fast food chicken fingers I loved as a kid, these air fried chicken tenders are made with simple ingredients. They’re nutritious, delicious upgrade from their processed counterparts.
Healthy. Thanks to the air fryer, you can enjoy crispy breaded chicken, with very little oil (same with other breaded favorites like Air Fryer Shrimp and Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks!).
Crispy AND Juicy. These chicken fingers are gratifyingly crunchy outside, juicy inside, and perfectly dippable (see sauce ideas below).
Freezer Friendly. Make a big batch for the freezer, then air fryer frozen chicken tenders directly from frozen, adding a few minutes to the baking time.
Goes with Anything. Serve them alongside a simple Arugula Salad or have some fun with Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries, and you have a simple, healthy dinner that’s a shoo-in for your greatest hits list.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
⭐Regular AND Panko Breadcrumbs. A combination of both coarse Panko and finger regular breadcrumbs is the key to making chicken tenders crispy. I find these result in a crispier, more satisfying tenders than recipes made with flour.
⭐Have Fun with the Seasonings. I’ve suggested some light seasoning that gives the chicken Strips flavor without losing the simplicity of their appeal. Feel free to add cayenne to make them spicy or swap in Cajun seasoning for a twist.
⭐You Can Make Your Own Strips. If your store doesn’t carry chicken tenderloins, make your own by slicing a boneless, skinless chicken breast lengthwise into strips (about a 1/2-inch thick).
⭐Cooking Times Vary by Model. How long chicken Strips stay in the air fryer will depend upon your model, as well as how crisp you would like them to be. In my model at 400 degrees F, the chicken tenders cook in 7 to 8 minutes.
