Description
These Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are coated in a delicious hot honey sauce for a perfect balance of flavor and crunch!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 1/2 pounds skinless chicken tenderloins or chicken breasts
- 1/4–1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4–1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooking oil spray (I used olive oil)
- 1/4–1/2 cup honey
- 2–3 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter (Measured solid)
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients and stir until well combined. You can use the stove top at medium heat or the microwave.
- Pat the chicken dry.
- Combine the spices in a bowl with the flour and sprinkle the flour over the chicken and rub it in. Be sure to season both sides and the edges. Add enough to fully coat both sides, add more spices if you need it.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer basket. Spray with cooking oil. If you see white areas on the chicken from the flour, spray with oil or these areas won’t crisp fry the chicken at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Open the air fryer and drizzle half of the hot honey sauce over the chicken.
- Air fry for an additional 5-8 minutes or until the chicken reaches a minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees and it is crisp enough for your liking. Use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature. Cook time will vary.
- Drizzle the remaining hot honey sauce over the chicken. Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place an oven-safe baking rack on a baking sheet or a sheet pan. Lightly spray with non-stick spray. The baking rack will produce crispy tenders and is optional. You can use just the sheet pan with parchment paper if you wish.
- Place the breaded tenders on the rack or sheet pan. Spritz the tenders with cooking oil spray. If you see white areas on the chicken from the flour, spray with oil or these areas won’t crisp.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Flip each chicken tender, be careful so that you do not lose any of the breading. Drizzle the tenders with half of the hot honey sauce. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove the tenders from the oven. Drizzle the tenders in the remaining hot honey sauce.
- Allow the chicken to rest for 5-10 minutes.
Notes
- Using an air fryer can significantly reduce the amount of cooking oil needed compared to traditional frying methods.
- Adjust the level of spiciness by changing the amount of hot sauce you add.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10 grams
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 grams
- Saturated Fat: 5 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 35 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 30 grams
- Cholesterol: 100 mg