Craving crispy, golden chicken tenders without the greasy mess?
Air fryer chicken tenders are the perfect way to get that crunchy coating with juicy, flavorful meat inside.
This easy recipe comes together in minutes using simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
With the air fryer, you’ll get that satisfying crunch without deep frying, making it a healthier and hassle-free option.
Get ready to whip up a batch of delicious homemade chicken tenders that everyone will love!
INGREDIENTS
Chicken Marinade
1 lb chicken tenders
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove
Breading mixture
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
1. For the chicken marinade, add 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 pressed garlic clove in a large bowl and give it a good mix using a whisk.
2. Now go ahead and toss the chicken into the marinade. Then use tongs to evenly coat the chicken in the marinade. Then set the chicken aside for a few minutes or you can even let it marinate in the fridge overnight for more flavor.
3. Now onto the breading! In a medium sized bowl, add 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs, 1/2 cup panko style breadcrumbs, and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. You’ll also want to add 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Now grab a clean whisk and mix that all together.
4. And in the meantime preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Now generously coat chicken tenders in the breading mixture one at a time. And I like to press the crumbs into the chicken as much as possible to really get the most crispness out of these tenders.
6. As you work in batches, place the breaded chicken tenders onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Now coat the bottom of your air fryer basket with a quick spray of avocado oil. I recommend using your own oil mister here. Then place about 4 chicken tenders onto the Basket and spray with another light coat of avocado oil.
8. Coon in the air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 4-5 minutes per side. A good way to know that your chicken is done is by inserting a meat thermometer into the center of the chicken. It should read at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 
9. In the meantime here is how to make the amazing chick-fil-a sauce. Add 1/2 tablespoon of boiling water to 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar. And stir until the sugar is almost completely dissolved. Then set it aside.
10. Now in a small bowl add 1 cup Mayonnaise, 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, 1 1/2 tablespoons yellow mustard, and 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke (you can totally skip the liquid smoke if you prefer not to use it). Then add the sugar syrup and whisk everything together until it is well combined.
11. So for the barbecue sauce, you’ll need to grab a small sauce pan and turn the burner onto medium low heat.
12. Then go ahead and add 1/3 cup molasses, 1 cup of ketchup, 1/3 cup of honey, and 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke. Then stir it all together and let it come to a slight boil. Then drop the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes to an hour.
