Description
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are crispy, golden, and coated in a sticky sweet-savory glaze made with garlic, honey, and butter. These no-fuss tenders are air-fried to perfection — juicy inside, crunchy outside — and make an irresistible weeknight dinner, game-day snack, or crowd-pleasing appetizer with less oil and more flavor.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1 lb chicken tenders or boneless chicken breast strips
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko or regular breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray or oil spray
- For the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tsp soy sauce (optional)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
-
Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
-
In a bowl, mix flour with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
-
Dredge chicken tenders in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat with breadcrumbs.
-
Place tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking oil.
-
Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
-
While tenders cook, melt butter in a small saucepan. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
-
Stir in honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 1–2 minutes until slightly thickened.
-
Toss hot tenders in sauce or drizzle over just before serving. Enjoy warm.
Notes
- Swap panko with crushed cornflakes or seasoned coating for added crunch.
- Add hot sauce or more red pepper flakes for heat.
- Drizzle sauce instead of tossing to preserve crispiness.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey for a richer glaze.
- Serve over rice, in wraps, or with a dipping sauce for variety.
