The kids will love these crispy air-fried BBQ chicken tenders, breaded and dunked in a sweet, fiery BBQ sauce! Serve them with some corn on the cob or a big salad.
Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Tenders
If you love your air fryer as much as I do, you’ll love this crispy BBQ chicken recipe! I made these BBQ chicken tenders for my family, and they loved them. They have a bit of a kick, are slathered with sweet-sticky BBQ sauce, and are air-fried until crispy with minimal oil. These easy chicken tenders are great for lunch, dinner, or a quick family meal. More chicken tenderloin recipes you may also enjoy are my Chicken Tenders Parmesan and Buffalo Chicken Strips.
Why This BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe Works
These BBQ chicken tenders always disappear almost as quickly as they hit the table! It’s a simple but flavorful spin on my original air fryer chicken tenders recipe when I feel like spicing it up. Here’s why cooking these chicken tenders in the air fryer works so well:
- Lighter than traditional fried chicken. These air fryer chicken tenders are much lighter because they aren’t deep-fried and only require a small amount of oil.
- Using shortcut ingredients, like BBQ sauce, seasoned panko, and seasoned breadcrumbs, pack these chicken strips with so much flavor.
- For a kid-friendly dinner, skip the cayenne and serve these chicken fingers with fries for a meal the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a look at everything you’ll need to make deliciously crispy BBQ chicken tenders in the air fryer tonight. See the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- BBQ sauce: I usually try to find a BBQ sauce that’s lower in sugar. I also love to make homemade BBQ sauce when I have time.
- Chicken tenders: Chicken tenders are cut from the tenderloin muscle, which is underneath the breast, and are more tender than breast meat. You’ll need 12 chicken tenders. You can buy them pre-cut from the grocery store, or trim chicken breasts into tenders at home.
- Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, cayenne powder
- Eggs: Use one large egg and one egg white to keep the breadcrumbs on the chicken.
- Breadcrumbs: Combine seasoned breadcrumbs and panko for the crispy coating.
How to Cook BBQ Chicken Tenders
For crispy BBQ chicken tenders, cooking them at a higher temperature, like 400°F, is best.
- Prepare the BBQ sauce. First, mix the BBQ sauce with some water to thin it out. Set that aside.
- Season the chicken with salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Set up a dredging station. Next, combine the egg and egg white in a bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, panko, and cayenne to another.
- Bread the chicken. Dip the chicken strips into the egg wash, then the breadcrumbs, shaking off the excess. Place them in a large dish and spray both sides with oil.
- Air fry. Air fry the chicken fingers at 400°F for five to six minutes on each side, turning halfway. Once they’re cooked through and golden and crispy on the outside, remove them and brush or drizzle the chicken with BBQ sauce until fully coated.
Variations
- Chicken: If you can’t find chicken tenders, buy a package of breasts and cut them into strips.
- BBQ Sauce: You can make homemade BBQ sauce instead of buying it.
- Spiciness: If you prefer chicken fingers with less of a kick, omit the cayenne.
- Breadcrumbs: If you don’t have seasoned breadcrumbs or panko, add spices, like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and paprika.
- No air fryer? Bake these BBQ chicken tenders in the oven at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes.
What to Serve with BBQ Chicken Tenders
Serve these crispy chicken tenders with air fryer French fries and extra BBQ sauce for dipping, and any of these BBQ sides. I like to freshen up the meal with a Cobb salad or corn, tomato, and avocado salad.
Storage
Store chicken strips in an airtight container for up to four days. To reheat, you can microwave them, but air frying will result in crispier chicken.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
BBQ Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons favorite BBQ sauce
- olive oil spray
- 12 chicken tenderloins, 1 1/2 lbs total
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt and black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 large egg white
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs*, or gluten-free crumbs
- 1/2 cup seasoned panko, plain or gluten-free
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- Combine BBQ sauce in a small bowl with 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of water, to thin down.
- Season chicken with salt, garlic powder and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.
- Combine egg and egg white in a medium bowl. In a shallow bowl, combine the bread crumbs, panko and cayenne pepper.
- Dip chicken in the egg wash, then into the breadcrumb mixture and shake off excess and place on a large dish or cutting board. Spray both sides of the chicken generously with oil.
- In batches, cook the chicken 400F 5 to 6 minutes on each side, turning halfway, until the chicken is cooked through and crispy and golden on the outside. Brush or drizzle chicken with sauce until fully coated. Serve right away.
Last Step:
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- Chicken: If you can’t find chicken tenders, buy a package of breasts and cut them into strips.
- BBQ Sauce: Make homemade BBQ sauce instead of buying it.
Spiciness: If you prefer chicken fingers with less of a kick, omit the cayenne. - Breadcrumbs: If you don’t have seasoned breadcrumbs or panko, add spices, like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and paprika.
- No air fryer? Bake these chicken fingers in the oven at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes.