We love using the crispy, flakiness of Panko for the chicken strips. There are also so many other options for the breading that come out crispy and accommodate different dietary choices (breadcrumbs, gluten-free breadcrumbs or Panko, almond flour, crushed pork rinds, etc). We love them all, each giving slightly different texture and flavor.Several factors will influence how the chicken strips cook. The size and thickness, the breading you use, your brand or model of air fryer, etc. Adjust timing as needed. Once you cook your first batch, you’ll know more of what works for your model of air fryer and size of food.Make sure to spray the tenders to completely coat all the dry spots of breading or else is may cook up dry and crunchy instead of crispy. Want to know what oils and sprayers are best for an air fryer? Check out our write up on What are the Best Oils and Pump Sprays for Air Frying.
Prep Time15 minutesmins
Cook Time15 minutesmins
Total Time30 minutesmins
Servings: 4Servings
Calories: 225kcal
Ingredients
1pound(454g)chicken tenders, or boneless skinless chicken breast, tenders, or thighs
1-2cups(240-480ml)Panko - or breading of choice-breadcrumbs, crushed pork rinds, almond flour, etc
Preheat the Air Fryer at 370°F/188°C for 4 minutes.
If not using tenders, cut the chicken into strips. Make sure they are evenly sized. The thicker they are, the longer they will take to cook.
Combine the seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika). Season the chicken strips with the spices. Put the Panko (or breading of choice) in a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken. In another bowl, beat the eggs until smooth.
Coat the chicken cutlets strips in egg, then in the Panko (or breading of choice). Press chicken strips into the Panko so that it sticks and completely coats the chicken. Repeat for all chicken pieces.
Generously spray both all sides of all the coated chicken with oil spray to coat all dry spots. If you have air fryer parchment sheets or a perforated silicone mat, lay one in the air fryer basket. Lay the coated chicken strips in a single layer, don’t overlap them.
Air Fry at 370°F/190°C for 6 minutes. Gently flip the tenders and lightly spray any dry spots. Continue to air fry for another 2-8 minutes (depending on the size and thickness of your tenders), or until they are crispy brown or internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F/74°C. ??Serve chicken strips with your favorite dip: ketchup, mustard, bbq sauce, etc.
Notes
Air Frying Tips and Notes:
Make sure to spray with oil to completely coat the breading.
Shake or turn if needed.
Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
If you don’t want to pre-heat the air fryer, just add a couple minutes to your first batch.
Adjust cooking time as needed for your make/model of air fryer.
Remember to set a timer to shake/flip/toss as directed in recipe.