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## Step-by-Step Guide to Making Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
### Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Tenders
Start by preparing your chicken tenders for the breading process. If you’re using chicken breasts, slice them into strips about 1 inch wide. This will ensure they cook evenly and quickly in the air fryer.
1. **Set up a breading station**: In three shallow bowls, set up the following:
– Bowl 1: **Flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper** – Whisk together these dry ingredients.
– Bowl 2: **Eggs** – Crack the eggs into the bowl and whisk them.
– Bowl 3: **Breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese** – Combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese in the third bowl.
2. **Coat the chicken tenders**:
– Dip each chicken tender into the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Tap off any excess flour.
– Then, dip the flour-coated chicken tender into the egg mixture, making sure it’s evenly coated with the egg.
– Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick.
### Step 2: Air Fry the Chicken Tenders
1. **Preheat the air fryer**: Preheat your air fryer to **400°F** (200°C). This ensures the chicken will cook evenly and get crispy on the outside.
2. **Arrange the chicken tenders**: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with a small amount of oil to prevent sticking. Place the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket. Make sure there’s some space between the tenders so the air can circulate, ensuring they cook evenly and get crispy.
3. **Air fry the chicken**: Cook the chicken tenders in the air fryer for **8-10 minutes**, flipping them halfway through. The chicken should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and have an internal temperature of **165°F** (74°C) when fully cooked. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your tenders and your specific air fryer model.
4. **Remove the chicken tenders**: Once the chicken tenders are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and set them aside while you prepare the sauce.
### Step 3: Make the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
1. **Melt the butter**: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt **butter**. Once melted, add **minced garlic** to the pan. Sauté the garlic for about **1 minute**, until it becomes fragrant and golden.
2. **Add honey and soy sauce**: Stir in **honey** and **soy sauce**. Continue stirring and cook for another **1-2 minutes**, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
3. **Optional: Add chili flakes**: If you want a little heat, add **chili flakes** to the sauce and stir well. This will give the sauce a sweet-spicy flavor.
4. **Finish the sauce**: Once the sauce is well combined and thickened slightly, remove it from the heat.
### Step 4: Coat the Chicken Tenders with the Sauce
1. **Coat the chicken tenders**: Place the crispy chicken tenders into a large bowl and pour the honey butter garlic sauce over them. Toss the tenders gently to ensure they’re fully coated with the sauce. Be careful not to break the tenders.
2. **Serve**: Transfer the coated chicken tenders to a serving platter. Garnish with freshly chopped **parsley** for a pop of color and freshness.
3. **Enjoy**: Serve these **Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders** with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ranch, blue cheese, or even extra honey mustard for an extra kick of flavor.
## Tips for the Perfect Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
1. **Use Fresh, High-Quality Chicken**: For the best results, use fresh, high-quality chicken tenders. Fresh chicken tends to cook more evenly and has better flavor than frozen tenders.
2. **Don’t Overcrowd the Air Fryer**: It’s important to leave space between the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking, and the tenders may not get as crispy.
3. **Customize the Coating**: Feel free to customize the breadcrumb mixture to suit your taste. You can add **garlic powder**, **onion powder**, **paprika**, or even **dried herbs** like thyme or oregano for additional flavor.
4. **Adjust the Sweetness**: If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add more honey. If you like a more savory flavor, reduce the honey slightly and add a bit more soy sauce or garlic.
5. **Double the Sauce**: If you love extra sauce, you can easily double the honey butter garlic sauce recipe and serve it on the side for dipping or drizzling over the tenders.
## Variations and Customization
While the **Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders** recipe is already incredibly flavorful, there are several ways you can customize it based on your preferences:
1. **Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders**: For those who love a little heat, add **sriracha** or **hot sauce** to the honey butter garlic sauce. The combination of sweet and spicy will be absolutely delicious.
2. **Lemon Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders**: Add some **lemon zest** or a splash of **lemon juice** to the sauce for a fresh, citrusy twist that complements the sweetness of the honey.
3. **Parmesan Crusted**: For an extra crispy and cheesy coating, add grated **Parmesan cheese** directly to the breadcrumb mixture. This will give the tenders a delightful cheesy crunch.
4. **Gluten-Free Version**: If you need a gluten-free version, use **gluten-free breadcrumbs** and ensure the flour you’re using is certified gluten-free.
## Conclusion
**Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders** are a mouthwatering combination of crispy chicken, sweet honey butter, and savory garlic that will satisfy all your cravings. The air fryer ensures a healthier alternative to deep frying while still delivering a perfectly crisp exterior and juicy interior. With a few simple ingredients and some easy steps, you can create a dish that’s perfect for dinner, a snack, or even a fun party appetizer.
This recipe is customizable to suit your taste preferences, and it’s bound to become a family favorite. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or enjoying a quiet meal at home, these **honey butter garlic chicken tenders** will impress with their irresistible flavor and crispy perfection. So fire up that air fryer, and get ready to indulge in this sweet, savory, and downright delicious dish!
