Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are crispy, juicy, and flavorful with a unique pickle juice marinade and a subtly sweet, perfectly spiced coating.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Mixing Bowls
- Whisk or fork
- Shallow dish or plate
- Tongs
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- 0.5 cup pickle juice
- 0.5 cup milk whole or 2%
- 1 large egg
- 2 lbs chicken tenders fresh, boneless
For the Flour Coating:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken
- In a large bowl, combine the 1/2 cup pickle juice, 1/2 cup milk, and 1 large egg. Whisk together until fully blended. Add the 2 pounds of raw chicken tenders to the marinade, making sure each piece is submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate and the chicken to tenderize.
Prepare the Flour Coating
- While the chicken marinates, mix together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder in a shallow dish. Stir well to combine all the dry ingredients evenly.
Coat the Chicken Tenders
- Remove the chicken tenders from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Dredge each tender in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating on all sides. Place the coated tenders on a plate or tray, ready for air frying.
Preheat the Air Fryer
- Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat for about 5 minutes. This ensures the tenders start cooking immediately with a crisp crust.
Air Fry the Tenders
- Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they do not overlap. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tenders are golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Serve and Enjoy
- Remove the tenders from the air fryer and let them rest on a wire rack or paper towels for a minute to keep them crispy. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or alongside a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor, try adding garlic powder or swapping spices in the flour coating.
- Use gluten-free all-purpose flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Leftover tenders reheat well in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness.