Description
Juicy chicken tenders coated in a crispy cornflake crust, air-fried to perfection, and tossed in a sweet and savory honey butter garlic sauce. A delightful dish that’s both easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1 pound (450g) chicken tenders
- 2 cups (60g) cornflakes, crushed
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray (preferably avocado oil)
For the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce:
- 5 tablespoons (70g) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
-
Prepare the Chicken Tenders:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow dish, crush the cornflakes into fine crumbs.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Roll the coated chicken tender in the crushed cornflakes, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs to the chicken.
-
Air Fry the Chicken Tenders:
- Place the coated chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Lightly spray the tops of the chicken tenders with cooking spray to enhance crispiness.
- Cook in the preheated air fryer for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
-
Prepare the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce:
- While the chicken is cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Stir in the honey and soy sauce, and let the mixture simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
-
Coat the Chicken Tenders:
- Once the chicken tenders are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl.
- Pour the honey butter garlic sauce over the chicken tenders and toss gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated.
-
Serve:
- Serve the honey butter garlic chicken tenders immediately.
- Garnish with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Notes
- Cornflake Substitution: If cornflakes are unavailable, panko breadcrumbs can be used as an alternative for a crispy coating.
- Spice Level: For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the egg mixture or drizzle the finished tenders with hot honey.
- Storage: Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes to restore crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 150mg