Go Back
For this dish, you need a few key items: - 1 lb chicken breast tenders - 1 cup buttermilk - 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko works best for crunch) - 1/2 cup whole wheat flour The right spices make a big difference in flavor. Gather these: - 1 tablespoon smoked paprika - 1 tablespoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon chili powder - 1 teaspoon salt - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper Want to enhance your dish? Try these extras: - 1 cup BBQ sauce (pick your favorite) - Cooking spray to ensure crispiness To start, you need to marinate the chicken tenders. Place 1 pound of chicken breast tenders in a bowl. Pour in 1 cup of buttermilk. Cover the chicken well. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. If you have time, marinate for up to 2 hours. This adds flavor and keeps the chicken tender. Next, set up your breading station. In one bowl, combine 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour, 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Mix well. In another bowl, place 1 cup of breadcrumbs. I like to use panko for that extra crunch! Now it's time to coat the chicken. Take each marinated chicken tender. First, dredge it in the flour mixture. Shake off the excess flour. Then dip it in the breadcrumbs. Press lightly to help the crumbs stick. Repeat this for each tender until all are coated. Before cooking, preheat the air fryer. Set it to 400°F (200°C) and let it heat for about 5 minutes. This step ensures even cooking and crispiness. Now, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the coated tenders in a single layer. Make sure they are not overcrowded. Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray, too. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes. Flip them halfway through cooking. Check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). In the last 2 to 3 minutes of cooking, brush the chicken tenders with your favorite BBQ sauce. This adds a tasty glaze and helps caramelize the sauce. Let them cook until heated through. Once done, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer. You can drizzle more BBQ sauce on top if you want. Serve these crispy BBQ chicken tenders with your favorite sides, like coleslaw or sweet potato fries. Enjoy your tasty meal! To get the best crunch, use panko breadcrumbs. They make the chicken extra crispy. Before cooking, spray the chicken tenders lightly with cooking spray. This helps them brown nicely in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. This ensures both sides get that golden crisp. Pick a BBQ sauce you love. Sweet, spicy, or smoky sauces work well. Brush the sauce on in the last few minutes of cooking. This allows it to warm up and caramelize a bit. It adds great flavor and makes the tenders look shiny and inviting. Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. For even more flavor, try to marinate for 2 hours. The buttermilk makes the chicken juicy and tender. If you're short on time, even 30 minutes will help. Just make sure to cover the chicken well in the buttermilk. This step is key to having tender chicken tenders. {{image_2}} You can switch up the BBQ chicken tenders in fun ways. Try Buffalo sauce for a spicy kick. Simply toss cooked tenders in Buffalo sauce after frying. For a sweet twist, use honey mustard. Just mix honey and mustard, then coat your cooked tenders. Each flavor adds a unique taste, making every meal special. While the air fryer is great, you can also bake these tenders. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the breaded tenders on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. This method gives you crispy tenders without an air fryer. You can enjoy the same flavors with a different texture. If you need gluten-free tenders, there are easy swaps. Instead of flour, use almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend. For breadcrumbs, use gluten-free panko or crushed cornflakes. These options keep your dish tasty while catering to dietary needs. You won’t miss the gluten at all! To store leftover chicken tenders, let them cool first. Place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and prevents them from drying out. Store the container in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat your chicken tenders, use the air fryer. Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Place the tenders in the basket in a single layer. Heat them for about 5-7 minutes. This method keeps them crispy. You can also use the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes if you prefer. If you want to freeze chicken tenders, make sure they cool completely. Wrap each tender in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. This helps to avoid freezer burn. They can last for up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight and then reheat. Marinate chicken tenders for at least 30 minutes. If you have more time, let them sit for up to 2 hours in the fridge. This helps keep the chicken juicy and adds flavor. Yes, you can use regular breadcrumbs. However, panko gives a better crunch. Regular breadcrumbs will work but may not be as crispy. Cook chicken tenders at 400°F (200°C) in the air fryer. This high heat makes them crispy and golden brown. Check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F (75°C). You can also look for a golden color and crispy texture. Yes, you can use plain yogurt or milk with a splash of vinegar. This mix mimics buttermilk's tangy taste and helps tenderize the chicken. You learned how to make crispy BBQ chicken tenders from start to finish. We covered ingredients, marinating, and cooking methods. Remember, the right BBQ sauce makes a big difference. Try different flavors to mix things up, like buffalo or honey mustard. Store leftovers properly for future meals. With these tips, you will enjoy delicious tenders again and again. Cooking can be fun and easy! Enjoy your crispy chicken tenders today!

Crispy BBQ Chicken Tenders Air Fryer

Looking for a tasty and easy recipe? Discover how to make Crispy BBQ Chicken Tenders that are flavorful and crunchy! Perfect for family dinners or game day snacks, these tenders are marinated in buttermilk, coated with a scrumptious blend of spices, and air-fried to perfection. Ready in just 30 minutes, they're sure to be a hit! Click to explore the full recipe and treat your taste buds!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients
  

1 lb chicken breast tenders

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch)

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon smoked paprika

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup BBQ sauce (choose your favorite)

Cooking spray

Instructions
 

Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken tenders in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Allow them to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for added tenderness and flavor.

    Prepare the Breading Station: In one bowl, mix together the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. In another bowl, place the breadcrumbs.

      Coat the Chicken: After marinating, take each chicken tender and dredge it first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip it in the breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.

        Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.

          Air Fry the Chicken Tenders: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray.

            Cook: Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the tenders are crispy and golden brown. Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C).

              Glaze with BBQ Sauce: In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, brush the chicken tenders with BBQ sauce and allow them to cook until the sauce is heated and slightly caramelized.

                Serve: Once done, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and drizzle with additional BBQ sauce if desired.

                  Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 10 minutes | 30 minutes | Serves 4