Crispy Chicken Tenders Deep Fried vs. Air Fried

Crispy chicken tenders made two different ways with a delicious homemade honey mustard sauce, finger licking good!

Why are chicken tenders called fingers?

Although they're meant to be eaten easily with your fingers, the name probably comes from the fact that they're shaped a bit like fingers — human fingers, that is! Chicken fingers are usually served with your choice of a dipping sauce.

Are chicken tenders healthy?

Fried chicken tenders are an excellent source of selenium, niacin, vitamin B6, and phosphorus, each providing more than 40% of your daily value set by the FDA.

Make it

Crispy Chicken Tenders Deep Fried vs. Air Fried

Ingredients

Canola oil, for frying

Cooking spray, if air frying

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

3 eggs

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 cups panko bread crumbs

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon lemon-pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Honey Mustard, recipe follows

Honey Mustard:

1/3 cup Dijon mustard

1/3 cup honey

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt and pepper

Directions

Preheat oil to 350 degrees F.

Cut the chicken breasts into long strips and set aside.

Beat the 3 eggs in a separate bowl and measure the flour into another separate dish.

Measure the panko into a pie plate or shallow bowl and season with garlic powder, lemon-pepper, cayenne, salt and pepper.

Dip the chicken strips into the flour, the beaten egg and then dredge them into the seasoned panko bread crumbs.

Fry in the hot oil for 6 to 8 minutes, until golden brown, or until the internal temperature has reached 165° F. Remove to a cooling rack sheet tray. Serve with Honey Mustard sauce.

Air Fried:

Preheat air fryer at 400° F. (200°C.)

Place the chicken tenders in the preheated basket.

Spray the chicken tenders with cooking oil.

Air Fry for 10 minutes, 5 minutes per side.

After the first 5 minutes, flip them over and spray them again with cooking spray. Continue air frying for another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165° F.

Serve with the honey mustard sauce or your favorite sauce.

Honey Mustard:

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. The sauce can be held in the refrigerator for 1 week.