Delicious, crispy, and juicy chicken tenders coated in seasoned bread crumb coating and fried to perfection in an air fryer. Serve with a helping of spicy mayo sauce on the side.
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Chicken tenders are a crowd-favorite dish for adults and children alike. They’re the perfect size of bites to munch on, and can be quite filling at the same time.
Here’s an easy and foolproof recipe that yields chicken tenders which are crispy, juicy and flavorful with a bit of heat. And it’s a more healthier option because we’re using an air fryer!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Chicken tenders are coated in sour cream and seasoned bread crumb coating, before air fried until golden perfection. You don’t have to use flour and egg for this recipe because the sour cream will act as the glue for the crumb coating, and add on some delicious tangy flavor.

Ingredients
(For full ingredient measurements, please proceed to the recipe card below.)
- Chicken tenders: If chicken tenders aren’t as easily accessible at your grocers, you try this recipe with chicken breast cut into strips as well.
- Sour cream
- Parmesan
Bread Crumb Coating
- Neutral oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Paprika
- Chili powder
- Panko bread crumbs
Spicy Mayo Sauce
- Japanese mayo: You can use normal mayo too
- Sriracha
- Sesame oil (optional)

Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients for the bread crumb coating and set aside.
- Coat each chicken tender with the sour cream then with the bread crumb coating.
- Spray some oil on the basket surface of your air fryer and place chicken tenders, leaving some space in between.
- Air fry at 375 F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. While it’s cooking, mix the ingredients for the spicy mayo sauce.
- Optional step: Grate parmesan on top and garnish with parsley! Serve while hot with spicy mayo sauce and enjoy!
Notes for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- You can substitute sour cream for greek yogurt.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer.
- Lessen the amount of Sriracha and substitute with ketchup if you prefer the sauce less spicy.
More Chicken Recipes
- Malaysian Chicken Chop
- Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) – No Mirin or Sake
- Malaysian Honey Chicken Wings
- Crispy Chicken 65
- Chicken Katsu Sandwich Sliders
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How to make air fryer chicken tenders

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 6 chicken tenders
- sour cream see notes
- grated parmesan
Bread Crumb Coating
- 1/3 cup neutral oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
Spicy Mayo Sauce
- 3 tbsp Japanese mayo you can use normal mayo too
- 3 tbsp Sriracha
- 1 tsp sesame oil optional
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients for the bread crumb coating and set aside.
- Coat each chicken tender with the sour cream then with the bread crumb coating.
- Spray some oil on the basket surface of your air fryer and place chicken tenders, leaving some space in between.
- Air fry at 375 F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. While it's cooking, mix the ingredients for the spicy mayo sauce.
- Optional step: Grate parmesan on top and garnish with parsley! Serve while hot with spicy mayo sauce and enjoy!
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