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The kids will go crazy for these crunchy air-fried BBQ chicken tenders coated in a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce! Pair them with some corn on the cob or a hearty salad for a satisfying meal.
If you’re a fan of air frying, you’ll love this simple chicken recipe. I whipped up these Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Tenders for my family, and they were a hit. They’re packed with flavor, have a hint of heat, and achieve a crispy texture with minimal oil. These versatile chicken fingers are perfect for lunch, dinner, or a speedy family meal. For more chicken tenderloin recipes, give these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, Chicken Tenders Parmesan, and Buffalo Chicken Strips a try.
Why This BBQ Chicken Tenders Works
Healthy: These chicken fingers are lighter as they’re not deep-fried and require only a small amount of oil.
Delicious: Shortcut ingredients like BBQ sauce, seasoned panko, and breadcrumbs infuse these chicken strips with plenty of flavor.
Kid-Friendly: Skip the cayenne for a milder version, and serve with fries for a family-friendly meal.
High Protein: 3 chicken tenderloins pack a whopping 43 grams of protein!
BBQ Chicken Finger Ingredients
BBQ Sauce: Opt for a lower-sugar BBQ sauce.
Chicken Tenders: You’ll need about 12 chicken tenders.
Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne powder.
Eggs: One large egg and one egg white to help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken.
Breadcrumbs: A mixture of seasoned breadcrumbs and panko for the crispy coating.
How to Cook BBQ Chicken Tenders
1. Thin the BBQ sauce with water.
2. Season the chicken with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
3. Set up dredging stations: egg wash in one bowl, breadcrumbs, panko, and cayenne in another.
4. Coat the chicken in the egg wash and then the breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess.
5. Place the breaded chicken on a large dish and spray both sides with oil.
6. Air fry the chicken at 400°F for 5-6 minutes on each side, turning halfway. Once crispy, remove and coat with BBQ sauce.
Variations
– Use chicken breasts cut into strips if you can’t find chicken tenders.
– Make homemade BBQ sauce instead of using store-bought.
– Omit the cayenne for a milder flavor.
– If you don’t have seasoned breadcrumbs or panko, add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and paprika.
No air fryer? Bake the chicken fingers in the oven at 400°F for 18-20 minutes.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Tenders
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to four days. Reheat in an air fryer for extra crispiness.
Chicken tenders are the best option for making chicken fingers, as they are cut from the tenderloin muscle and are more tender than breast meat.
For crispy BBQ chicken tenders, 400°F is the perfect temperature for cooking.
If you enjoyed this recipe, give these other air fryer chicken recipes a try.
Hope you love our BBQ Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer recipe! Remember to rate it and leave a comment to let us know how it turned out for you. Your feedback helps us provide more free, high-quality recipes for you.
