Introduction

These Air Fryer Honey Butter Chicken Tenders are crispy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Marinated in buttermilk and spices, then coated with a crunchy mixture and finished with a sweet honey butter sauce, they’re perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a tasty snack.

Air Fryer Honey Butter Chicken Tenders Recipe - Recipe Image

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

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

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, let the coated tenders rest for a few minutes before air frying to help the coating set.
Swap buttermilk with plain yogurt or milk mixed with a teaspoon of vinegar if you don’t have buttermilk on hand.
Add more hot sauce to the honey butter for a spicier kick, or omit it for a milder flavor.
Try serving these tenders in a sandwich or wrap with lettuce and pickles for a delicious meal twist.

Storage

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness. The honey butter sauce can be refrigerated separately and gently warmed 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 or fully thawed frozen tenders for even cooking and to allow proper marinating. If using frozen, thaw them completely before starting.

What if I don’t have an air fryer?

You can bake these tenders in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and cooked through. Using a wire rack on a baking sheet helps keep them crispy.

Air Fryer Honey Butter Chicken Tenders Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 108 reviews

These Air Fryer Honey Butter Chicken Tenders are perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, coated with a flavorful honey butter glaze that adds a sweet and savory touch. Marinated in buttermilk and a blend of spices, then air fried to golden perfection, this recipe is a healthier alternative to deep-frying while still delivering irresistible crunch and taste.

Author: Dylan
Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Air Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken tenders in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat all pieces evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to tenderize and infuse flavor.
Prepare Coating Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and cornmeal. Stir together until evenly mixed and set aside for dredging the chicken.
Make Honey Butter Sauce: Melt the unsalted butter over low heat in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in the honey and optional hot sauce, mixing well. Set the sauce aside to be drizzled over the cooked chicken later.
Preheat Air Fryer: After marinating, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes to ensure it’s hot and ready for cooking.
Coat the Chicken: Remove chicken tenders from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each tender in the flour and cornmeal mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres evenly.
Arrange in Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or olive oil. Place chicken tenders in a single layer without overcrowding for even cooking. Spray the tops of the tenders lightly with cooking spray to encourage browning.
Cook the Chicken: Air fry the coated tenders for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
Coat with Honey Butter: Remove the cooked tenders from the air fryer and transfer to a large bowl. Drizzle the warm honey butter sauce over them and toss gently to coat each piece evenly.
Serve: Serve the chicken tenders warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. Offer any leftover honey butter sauce on the side for dipping. These tenders pair wonderfully with coleslaw, sweet potato fries, garden salad, or can be served in a sandwich or wrap for a delicious twist.

Notes

Marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour for best tenderness and flavor. Overnight marinating enhances taste even more.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the honey in the butter sauce or omit the hot sauce for a milder flavor.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken is fully cooked at 165°F (75°C) to ensure safety.
Leftover honey butter sauce can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and gently reheated.

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