Air Fryer Honey Butter Chicken Tenders Recipe

Introduction

Air Fryer Honey Butter Chicken Tenders are a perfect combination of crispy texture and sweet, buttery flavor. This easy recipe offers a healthier twist on classic fried tenders without sacrificing taste. Enjoy them as a snack, meal, or party appetizer.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
• Cooking spray or olive oil spray

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place the chicken tenders in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them, ensuring all pieces are well-coated.
2. Step 2: Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the buttermilk and mix until the chicken is evenly coated in the marinade.
3. Step 3: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to overnight for best flavor.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and cornmeal; mix well and set aside.
5. Step 5: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Remove from heat and stir in honey. Add hot sauce if desired and mix well. Set the honey butter sauce aside.
6. Step 6: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
7. Step 7: Remove the chicken from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each tender in the flour and cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to create an even coating.
8. Step 8: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray. Arrange the coated tenders in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.
9. Step 9: Spray the tops of the tenders lightly with cooking spray and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/75°C).
10. Step 10: Remove the cooked tenders from the air fryer and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle the honey butter sauce over the hot tenders and toss gently to coat.
11. Step 11: Serve the tenders warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired, and offer any leftover sauce on the side for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, double-dredge the chicken by dipping it back into the buttermilk and then the flour-cornmeal mixture again before cooking.
• Add smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the coating mix for a smoky or spicy kick.
• Use Greek yogurt instead of buttermilk for a tangy alternative marinade.
• Serve the tenders in a sandwich or wrap with lettuce and pickles for a tasty twist.

Storage

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes to maintain crispiness. The honey butter sauce is best added fresh before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh chicken tenders for even cooking. If using frozen, thaw them completely and pat dry before marinating.

Is it necessary to marinate the chicken overnight?

Marinating for at least one hour enhances flavor and tenderness, but marinating overnight in the refrigerator gives the best results.

Air Fryer Honey Butter Chicken Tenders Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 80 reviews

• Author: Jack
• Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Diet: Halal

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Description

Air Fryer Honey Butter Chicken Tenders are irresistibly crispy and juicy, marinated in a flavorful buttermilk blend and coated with a crunchy flour and cornmeal crust. Finished with a luscious honey butter sauce that adds a perfect balance of sweetness and spice, this recipe delivers a quick, healthier twist on a classic comfort food using an air fryer for effortless cooking.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Marinade

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Coating

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornmeal

Honey Butter Sauce

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)

Other

• Cooking spray or olive oil spray

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Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken tenders in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them, making sure all pieces are well-coated. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the marinade and mix thoroughly to cover the chicken evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to enhance flavor and tenderness.
2. Prepare the Coating: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and cornmeal, stirring well to ensure an even mixture. Set aside for dredging the tenders later.
3. Make the Honey Butter Sauce: Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then remove from heat and stir in the honey. Add the hot sauce if using, mix well, and set aside to keep warm.
4. Preheat the Air Fryer: After marinating, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
5. Coat the Chicken: Remove each chicken tender from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour and cornmeal mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres well. Place the coated tenders on a plate or baking sheet ready for air frying.
6. Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil spray to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket to promote even cooking and browning.
7. Cook the Tenders: Lightly spray the tops of the coated tenders with cooking spray. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, until they become golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), ensuring they are fully cooked and crispy.
8. Coat with Honey Butter: Remove the cooked tenders from the air fryer and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle the warm honey butter sauce over the hot tenders and toss gently to coat them evenly, enhancing flavor and moisture.
9. Serve: Serve the chicken tenders warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. Offer any leftover honey butter sauce on the side for dipping. For a complete meal, pair with coleslaw, sweet potato fries, or a fresh garden salad. For variation, serve the tenders in a sandwich or wrap.

Notes

• Marinating overnight intensifies the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
• Use cooking spray to help achieve a golden, crispy crust without deep frying.
• Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure safety and prevent overcooking.
• Adjust the hot sauce amount in the honey butter sauce to control the heat level.
• This recipe works well with chicken breasts or nuggets if desired.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, honey butter chicken, crispy chicken recipe, air fried chicken, quick chicken tenders, healthy fried chicken