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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.

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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).
  8. 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.
  9. 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

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/air-fryer-honey-butter-chicken-tenders-recipe/