Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
These Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are a healthier twist on a classic comfort food. With crispy, golden breading and a savory-sweet glaze of honey, butter, and garlic, this recipe is the perfect solution for a quick weeknight meal or a family gathering. Ready in under 30 minutes, it's a flavorful, easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for satisfying your cravings without the extra calories.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together honey, melted butter, garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Reserve half of the mixture to drizzle over the tenders later.
- Dip each chicken tender into the honey garlic mixture, then coat with breadcrumbs.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and spray the basket with cooking spray.
- Arrange the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
- Drizzle the reserved honey garlic sauce over the cooked tenders before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier twist, add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the honey garlic mixture.
- Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
- Marinate the chicken in the honey garlic mixture for extra flavor before coating.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for the best texture.
