Parmesan-Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
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Are you looking for a delicious and easy chicken tender recipe? Look no further than this Parmesan-crusted air fryer chicken tenders recipe!
These chicken tenders are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and they’re bound to be a hit with your family and friends.
Plus, they’re made in the air fryer, so they’re healthy and low-calorie. What’s not to love? Give this Parmesan-crusted air fryer chicken tenders recipe a try today!
Happy cooking!
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Why do I love Parmesan-Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders?
There are plenty of reasons to love this Parmesan-crusted air fryer chicken tenders recipe!
First of all, it’s a delicious and easy recipe. The chicken tenders are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, and they’re bound to be a hit with your family and friends.
Plus, they’re made in the air fryer, so they’re healthy and low-calorie. What’s not to love? Give this Parmesan-crusted air fryer chicken tenders recipe a try today! You won’t be disappointed!
How to Get them Crispy
Brush or spray the chicken tenderloins with some olive oil or your favorite oil before cooking. Then, as they cook in the air fryer, they will become crispy.
Cook Time/How Long to Cook
Cook the chicken tenderloins in the air fryer for 9-10 minutes, then flip and cook for another 9-10 minutes. So, they take about 20 minutes of total cooking time.
Ingredients:
- Boneless skinless chicken tenders
- Dried basil
- All-purpose flour
- Paprika
- Olive oil
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Minced garlic
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Step 1. Add the olive oil and minced garlic to one shallow bowl.
Step 2. Place the flour, salt, and pepper to taste in another bowl.
Step 3. To a third bowl, add the basil, panko crumbs, paprika, and parmesan cheese.
Step 4. Dredge the chicken tenderloins in the flour mixture, dip them into the olive oil mixture, and coat them in the crumb mixture.
Step 5. Place the chicken into a basket for the air fryer, and cook for 9-10 minutes at 400 degrees.
Flip the tenders over, and cook for an additional 9-10 minutes, or until completely cooked through.
Step 6. Serve with your choice of dipping sauces.
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Parmesan Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ lb. Boneless skinless chicken tenders
- 1 tsp. Dried basil
- ½ C. All-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp. Paprika
- 6 Tbsp. Olive oil
- 1 C. Panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tsp. Minced garlic
- ⅔ C. Grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
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Instructions
- Add the olive oil and minced garlic to one shallow bowl.
- Place the flour, salt and pepper to taste in another bowl.
- To a third bowl, add the basil, panko crumbs, paprika and parmesan cheese.
- Dredge the chicken tenderloins in the flour mixture, dip into the olive oil mixture, and coat in the crumb mixture.
- Place the chicken into a basket for the air fryer, and cook for 9-10 minutes at 400 degrees. Flip the tenders over, and cook for an additional 9-10 minutes, or until completely cooked through.
- Serve with your choice of dipping sauces.
Nutrition
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Parmesan-crusted air fryer chicken tenders Tips
Here are a few tips to help you make the best Parmesan-crusted air fryer chicken tenders:
- Pound the chicken tenderloins to even thickness before breading them. This will ensure that they cook evenly in the air fryer.
- Be sure to coat the chicken tenders thoroughly in the breading mixture. I like to use my hands to really get into all of the nooks and crannies.
- Cook the chicken tenders in batches if necessary. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches so that they have enough room to breathe and become crispy.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. I like to serve mine with honey mustard or ranch dressing. Enjoy!
Parmesan-crusted air fryer chicken tenders Variations
Here are a few variations of this Parmesan-crusted air fryer chicken tenders recipe that you can try:
- Add some spice to the breading mixture by adding a teaspoon or two of your favorite seasoning blend. Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder all work well.
- Swap out the Parmesan cheese for another type of cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella.
- Make them gluten-free by using gluten-free bread crumbs or flour in the breading mixture.
- Serve with a dipping sauce made from scratch, such as BBQ sauce, sweet and sour sauce, or tzatziki sauce.
How Long to Cook Frozen Tenders
If you’re making them from frozen, add 5-8 minutes to the cooking time. Test them with a meat thermometer to ensure that the chicken is cooked to 160 degrees. Let it rest for 5 minutes so it can finish heating to 165 degrees.
How To Make Parmesan Chicken Tenders On Stovetop
Fry in a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook for 5–7 minutes, then flip the chicken. Keep cooking until the temperature inside reaches 160 degrees, then take it out and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. By letting it rest, the juices will be redistributed while the meat keeps cooking to 165 degrees.
How to Reheat Parmesan-crusted air fryer chicken tenders
Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer at 400 degrees and heat for 4-6 minutes or until they are hot.
Freezer Tips
Flash-freeze the chicken tenderloins on a baking sheet for 1–2 hours. Once they are frozen solid, place them in a freezer bag. This process prevents them from sticking to each other. They will last in the freezer for up to 3 months.
What to Pair with the Tenders
- French Fries, tater tots, potato wedges, or onion rings.
- Pasta salad, coleslaw, or potato salad.
- Roasted veggies such as broccoli, green beans, or carrots.
- Mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Dinner rolls or slices of bread.
- Wraps with veggies to make an on-the-go lunch!
More air-fryer recipes?
Air Fryer Chicken Rolls Ups – Make a great appetizer!
Doritos Chicken Tenders – These are so flavorful and simple.
Seasoned Pretzel Chicken Tenders – Will win over a hungry group!