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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe Easy Honey Mustard Dip in 12 Minutes

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This recipe delivers perfectly crispy and juicy chicken tenders cooked in an air fryer, paired with a tangy and sweet homemade honey mustard dip. Ready in just 12 minutes, it’s perfect for busy nights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) fresh chicken tenders or chicken breast cut into strips
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or plain yogurt thinned with milk as substitute)
  • 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • Olive oil or avocado oil cooking spray
  • ¼ cup (60g) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons (40g) honey
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and place in a bowl. Pour over the buttermilk and toss to coat. Let soak for 10 minutes (minimum 5 minutes if short on time).
  2. In a shallow dish, combine flour, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and onion powder. Stir well to distribute spices evenly.
  3. Remove each tender from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge thoroughly in the flour and breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to form an even coating. Place coated tenders on a plate or baking sheet.
  4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes.
  5. Place tenders in a single layer inside the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Lightly spray tenders with cooking oil spray.
  6. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. While tenders cook, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust sweetness or tang to taste.
  8. Remove tenders carefully and serve immediately with the honey mustard dip on the side.

Notes

Do not skip the buttermilk soak to keep chicken juicy. Preheat the air fryer for best crispiness. Spray tenders lightly with oil before cooking. Flip halfway through cooking for even crispiness. Cook in batches if air fryer basket is small to avoid overcrowding. For gluten-free, substitute flour and panko with almond flour and crushed gluten-free cornflakes or gluten-free panko. For plant-based dip, use vegan mayo and maple syrup instead of honey.

Nutrition

Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, honey mustard dip, quick chicken recipe, easy dinner, kid-friendly, healthy chicken tenders

Find it online: https://siennaspoon.com/crispy-air-fryer-chicken-tenders-recipe-easy-honey-mustard-dip-in-12-minutes/