Upgrade your weeknight dinners with our easy Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Air Fryer. Crispy, flavorful, and a snap to make! Follow along for a sweet and amazing dish that'll have everyone asking for more. Let's make tasty dinners stress-free – introducing Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Air Fryer Recipe!
Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders is a yummy and simple dinner choice. They're crispy, go well with jasmine rice or veggies, and add a burst of flavor whether it's a family dinner or guests are over. Great appetizers, game day eats or any get-togethers, you can air fry or bake.
This dish draws inspiration from another recipe featured on this site, Honey Garlic Chicken Bites, and makes a great combination with the amazing green beans side dish.
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What you need
- Chicken tenders
- Corn flakes
- Garlic powder
- Paprika
- Eggs
- Salt
- Pepper
- Avocado oil spray
Honey Garlic Sauce (Honey Sauce)
- Butter
- Garlic
- Honey
- Soy sauce
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Honey Garlic Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Prepare the chicken tenders
Air fry the chicken tenders
Prepare the honey garlic sauce
Toss the chicken tenders in the sauce
Prepare the Chicken Tenders:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow dish, crush the corn flakes to create a coating for the chicken tenders.
- In a separate shallow bowl or small bowl, whisk eggs and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Roll the coated chicken tender in the crushed cornflakes, pressing gently to adhere the flakes to the chicken.
Air Fry the Chicken Tenders:
- Place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each.
- Spray with avocado oil spray
- Cook in the preheated air fryer for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- While the chicken is cooking, make the honey garlic sauce.
- In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in honey and soy sauce, continuing to cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
Coat the Chicken Tenders:
- Once the chicken tenders are cooked, transfer them to honey garlic sauce pan.
- Gently toss the hot honey chicken tenders in the sauce until they are well coated.
Serve:
- Serve the Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders hot, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
Substitutions
- Chicken Tenders: Can be substituted with boneless, chicken strips, chicken fingers skinless chicken breasts cut into strips or even tofu strips for a vegetarian option.
- Corn Flakes: Crushed breadcrumbs, panko crumbs, or crushed crackers can be used as a substitute for a crispy coating.
- Garlic Powder: Fresh minced garlic, onion powder or garlic paste can be used as a substitute for garlic powder for more garlic flavor. Adjust quantities to taste.
- Paprika: Smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, or chili powder can be used as alternatives, depending on the desired level of heat and flavor.
- Eggs: For an egg substitute in the coating, you can use a mixture of buttermilk, yogurt, or even non-dairy alternatives like almond milk or soy milk. This helps the coating adhere to the chicken.
- Salt: Substitute with sea salt, kosher salt, or any preferred salt type based on personal taste preferences.
- Pepper: Black pepper can be replaced with white pepper or red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Adjust amounts to taste.
Simple Honey Garlic Sauce
- Butter: Vegan (plant-based) butter, coconut oil, or ghee can be used as substitutes for butter, depending on the flavor profile you desire.
- Garlic: Garlic powder or minced shallots can be used as a substitute for fresh garlic. Adjust quantities to taste.
- Honey: Maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown rice syrup can be used as alternatives to honey. Keep in mind that each of these has a distinct flavor, so choose based on your preference.
- Soy Sauce: Tamari, coconut aminos, or liquid aminos can be used as a substitute for soy sauce. Tamari is a gluten-free alternative, while coconut aminos offer a sweeter taste.
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Mixing bowls
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring spoons
How to reheat and store air fryer chicken tenders
Storing Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders:
- Refrigeration:
- Allow the chicken tenders to cool to room temperature before storing.
- Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing (for longer storage):
- If you want to store them for a more extended period, arrange the tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Freeze until solid and then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container, removing as much air as possible.
- Label with the date for up to 2-3 months of freezer storage.
Reheating Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders:
- Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to around 350°F (175°C).
- Place the chicken tenders on a baking sheet.
- Heat for about 15-20 minutes, or until they reach the desired internal temperature. To prevent drying, you can cover them with foil.
- Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Reheat for about 2-3 minutes until crispy, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Microwave (for a quicker option):
- Place a damp paper towel over the tenders to retain moisture.
- Microwave on medium power in short intervals, checking and flipping them until heated through.
FAQ
Honey garlic chicken tenders pair well with sides like rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
The calorie count can vary based on the specific recipe, but a standard serving may range from 200 to 300 calories.
Any mild-flavored honey, such as clover or wildflower honey, works well for chicken dishes. Choose a honey that complements rather than overpowers the other flavors.
Related
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Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Air Fryer
Upgrade your weeknight dinners with our easy Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders Air Fryer. Crispy, flavorful, and a snap to make! Follow along for a sweet and amazing dish that'll have everyone asking for more. Let's make tasty dinners stress-free – introducing Honey Garlic Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe!
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: feeds 2 people 1x
Ingredients
1 lb chicken tenders (2 chicken breasts cut into strips)
2 cups corn flakes
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
3 eggs
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
Honey Garlic Sauce
5 tablespoon salted butter
2 tablespoon minced garlic
3 tablespoon honey
1 tbsp soy sauce
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken Tenders:
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow dish, crush the corn flakes to create a coating for the chicken tenders.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Roll the coated chicken tender in the crushed corn flakes, pressing gently to adhere the flakes to the chicken.
Air Fry the Chicken Tenders:
- Place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each.
- Cook in the preheated air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
Prepare the Honey Garlic Sauce:
- While the chicken is cooking, make the honey garlic sauce.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.
- Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in honey and soy sauce, continuing to cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
Coat the Chicken Tenders:
- Once the chicken tenders are cooked, transfer them to the honey garlic saucepan.
- Gently toss the chicken tenders in the sauce until they are well coated.
Serve:
- Serve the Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders hot, garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: mains
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: asian
Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
Maris
Added some chillis for extra kick and rice too😂
Gladys
Made this with store bought ranch sauce. I suggest carmen's ranch too hahah
Rava
Just like on a takeout, wait its better 😊
Leia
Better than take out! hmmp
Robin D
My whole family's new favorite and my kids are obsessed!!! Crazy easy to make and the best chicken fingers I've ever had!!
Selena
These were just the best. Easy to make gluten free with GF cornflakes and soy sauce. Absolutely loved them!
Carmen Spillette
Thank you Selena - that’s so good to hear.