Okay, listen up, because I’ve got something seriously special to share today: my absolute go-to for incredibly delicious and, dare I say, *perfect* Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders! You know those moments when you crave something that’s both super comforting and ridiculously flavorful, but you *really* don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen? Yeah, that’s exactly how this recipe came about. I’ve spent ages perfecting air fryer recipes, and this one is a total game-changer. Imagine tender, juicy chicken coated in a perfectly crisp shell, all tossed in this dreamy, slightly sweet, garlicky, buttery sauce. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a fancy restaurant treat but is so easy you can make it on a Tuesday night. Trust me, this is the recipe you’ll be making on repeat!
Why You’ll Love These Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Seriously, why wouldn’t you love these? They’re a total win-win-win:
- Speedy Prep: We’re talking minimal work here. Get them prepped and into the air fryer in about 15 minutes!
- Easy Peasy Cooking: The air fryer does all the hard work. No standing over a hot stove, just press start and let it do its magic.
- Flavor Explosion: That honey butter garlic sauce? Oh. My. Goodness. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and that irresistible garlic punch.
- Healthier Choice: Air frying uses way less oil than traditional frying, so you can feel good about digging in!
- So Versatile: Serve them as a main with your favorite sides, or make them appetizer-sized for game night. They’re always a hit!
Ingredients for Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Alright, here’s what you’ll need to make these amazing tenders. It’s a pretty straightforward list, I promise!
- About 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or cut up chicken breasts into tender-sized pieces)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika (for a little color and zing!)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (fresh is best here!)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice (just a little touch to brighten it up)
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for that pretty green garnish when serving
Essential Equipment for Making Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
You don’t need a whole fancy kitchen for this one! Just a few basics will do the trick:
- Your trusty Air Fryer: This is the star of the show for getting them super crispy!
- A shallow dish or plate for dredging the chicken.
- A small saucepan for whipping up that glorious sauce.
- Tongs for handling the hot chicken and tossing everything together.
How to Prepare Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders: Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where the magic happens, and I promise, it’s easier than you think. Grab your apron, and let’s make some seriously delicious chicken tenders. If you’re looking for more honey butter chicken inspiration, check out this irresistible honey butter chicken recipe!
Preparing the Chicken Tenders
First things first, we want those tenders nice and dry. Pat them *really* well with paper towels – this is a little trick that helps the flour coating stick better and get crispier. Next, grab a shallow dish and whisk together your flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. This is our crispy coating base! Now, take each chicken tender and give it a good dredge in that flour mixture. Make sure it’s coated on all sides, but give it a little shake to get rid of any extra powdery bits. This light coating is key for that perfect crispiness without being cakey.
Air Frying for Perfect Crispy Tenders
Okay, time for the air fryer! Most of them are pretty similar, but definitely consult your manual. Preheat your machine to 380°F (190°C). This slightly lower temp helps them cook through without burning the outside. Once it’s hot, carefully arrange your floured chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket. Don’t overcrowd it, or they’ll steam instead of crisp. You might need to cook them in batches, which is totally fine! Pop them in for about 10-12 minutes. Remember to flip them halfway through with your tongs so they get golden brown and perfectly crispy on both sides. They should be cooked through and feel firm to the touch.
Crafting the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
While those beauties are air frying, let’s whip up that amazing sauce. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, toss in your minced garlic. Be careful not to burn it! Just cook it for about a minute until it smells super fragrant. Now, stir in the honey, soy sauce, and that little splash of lemon juice. Give it a good stir and let it simmer for about 2 minutes. It’ll thicken up just a bit and become this gorgeous, glossy sauce that’s just begging to coat your chicken. Seriously, the smell alone is incredible! You can find more ideas for honey garlic butter to get inspired.
Combining and Finishing Your Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Once your chicken tenders are done and golden in the air fryer, carefully transfer them to a clean bowl. Pour that warm, luscious honey butter garlic sauce right over the top. Now, gently toss everything together, making sure each tender is beautifully coated in the sauce. You want every bite to have that sweet, savory, garlicky goodness! If you have a bit of fresh parsley, give it a sprinkle over the top for a pop of color. Serve these babies up immediately while they’re still hot and extra crispy!
Tips for Extra Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Okay, so we all want that *super* satisfying crunch, right? It’s totally achievable with these tenders! I’ve learned a few tricks that really make a difference. Now, I’ve got a killer recipe for crispy air fryer jalapeno popper chicken that uses some of these same ideas! First, make sure your chicken tenders are *bone dry* before you dredge them. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. Then, don’t be shy with that flour coat! For an extra-crispy shell, you can even double-dip: flour, egg wash (or milk), then flour again. And remember, air circulation is key! Don’t cram your air fryer basket. Cook in batches if you have to. Spacing them out lets that hot air circulate and gets them beautifully crispy all around.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
A few little tweaks here can make this recipe work for just about anyone! That honey? If you’re not feeling it, maple syrup works beautifully for a slightly different sweetness. And for the soy sauce, if you need to keep things gluten-free, just swap it out for tamari – you won’t even notice the difference in this sauce. If you don’t have paprika on hand, no worries, just leave it out. The salt and pepper are really the most important flavor boosters in the coating itself!
Serving Suggestions for Your Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
These tenders are so darn good, they’re practically a meal on their own! But if you want to round things out, I’ve got some ideas. They’re fantastic with a big, fresh salad – maybe my refreshing strawberry spinach salad? Talk about a perfect sweet and savory combo! Or, for a heartier meal, serve them alongside some roasted broccoli or garlic mashed potatoes. And hey, who says they have to be a main course? These babies are amazing as an appetizer for game day! Imagine them alongside some ultimate sheet pan nachos – seriously, your guests will be raving!
Frequently Asked Questions about Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Got questions? I’ve got answers! It’s totally normal to wonder about a few things when trying out a new recipe, especially when you want those tenders *just right*.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Oh yes, absolutely! That luscious honey butter garlic sauce can be made a day or two in advance. Just let it cool completely, then pop it into an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to use it, just gently warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave. It might separate a little, but a quick whisk will bring it right back together!
What’s the best way to reheat leftover chicken tenders?
This is a big one for keeping them crispy! The microwave is your enemy if you want crispiness. For the best results, pop any leftovers back into your air fryer at around 350°F (175°C) for just a few minutes. They’ll crisp right back up! If you don’t have an air fryer, a hot oven or even a toaster oven will work wonders too.
Can I use chicken breast instead of tenders?
You sure can! If you can’t find tenders or just prefer chicken breast, go for it. You’ll just want to cut them into roughly the same size pieces as tenders so they cook evenly. Keep an eye on them in the air fryer, as they might cook a minute or two faster than actual tenders, depending on the thickness!
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates for about a 4 oz serving. They can change based on exactly what you use, but this gives you a good idea! These Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are around 350 calories, with about 18g of fat and a solid 28g of protein per serving. They’ve also got about 20g of carbs and 15g of sugar, mostly from that delicious sauce!
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Crispy Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 27 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Chicken
Description
Easy and delicious chicken tenders made in the air fryer with a sweet and savory honey butter garlic sauce.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- Arrange chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- While chicken is cooking, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in honey, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes.
- Remove chicken tenders from the air fryer and place them in a bowl.
- Pour the honey butter garlic sauce over the chicken tenders and toss to coat.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispy tenders, you can double-dip them in the flour mixture.
- Adjust honey and soy sauce to your taste preference.
- Serve immediately for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken tenders, honey butter garlic chicken, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner