Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Parmesan and Herbs Recipe
Crispy and flavorful air fryer chicken tenders coated with a seasoned panko and Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, perfect for a quick and healthy meal. These chicken tenders are easy to prepare, baked to golden perfection with a crunchy exterior and juicy interior, ideal for dipping in sauces like ketchup or honey mustard.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Breadcrumb Coating
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Main Ingredient
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenderloins
Other
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the breadcrumb mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, thyme, dried parsley, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly mixed. Set aside for coating.
- Coat the chicken: Pour the olive oil into another shallow bowl. Dip each chicken tenderloin first into the olive oil ensuring it is well-coated, then dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so that both sides are fully coated with the seasoned crumbs.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Cook the chicken tenders: Place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching and have space around them for proper air circulation. Work in batches if necessary. Cook for approximately 6 minutes on one side.
- Flip and continue cooking: Turn the chicken tenders over and cook for another 6 minutes, or until the exterior is golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure proper doneness.
- Serve: Remove the cooked chicken tenders from the air fryer. Optionally sprinkle with fresh parsley for garnish. Serve warm alongside your favorite dipping sauces such as ketchup or honey mustard.
Notes
- You can swap panko breadcrumbs with regular breadcrumbs without compromising much of the texture.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning and use any combination of spices you prefer to customize the flavor.
