Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders are simple and flavorful. Chicken tenders breaded and air fried and served with hot honey butter for delicious sweet heat. This recipe will serves 2 to 4.
Today was my most productive day yet.
House cleaned. Windows washed. Laundry folded and put away. Since this whole Stay Home, Stay Save executive order on Michigan (although we’ve been living like this before our governor put this into effect) I told myself I was going to slow down, work less and enjoy my family more. I’ve decided to look at this mandate as a blessing and spend quality time with my family.
With that said, I now am in charge of feeding these people every day. 😂
And since I just made a batch of homemade lemon pepper, I decided chicken tenders were on the menu.
To Make This Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders You Will Need:
- chicken tenderloins (abut 8)
- unbleached all-purpose flour
- homemade panko-style bread crumbs or store-bought
- lemon pepper seasoning
- eggs
- olive oil spray
- (salted) butter, melted
- honey, more or less to taste
- garlic powder
- lemon juice
- hot sauce or cayenne pepper
Start with 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 pounds of chicken tenders or about 8.
Add 1 cup panko style breadcrumbs to a mini (or regular) food processor and pulse until fine.
Add it to a shallow dish with 1-1/2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning, mix to combine.
In another shallow dish, add 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour with 1 tablespoon lemon pepper.
Set up a breading station. The bowl of the breadcrumbs, flour and 1 shallow bowl with 2 beaten eggs.
Start by dredging each chicken tender in the flour.
Then dip it into the egg.
Lastly, roll the chicken into the seasoned breadcrumbs.
Repeat with the remaining chicken tenders.
Preheat your air fryer to 400℉ (or 200℃).
What Is Air Frying?
- An air fryer is a counter top appliance that requires less oil (anything from a few spritz to 1 tablespoon) yet produces crispy food that rivals most deep fried foods. By using circulating hot air, it moves at a high speed so the food tends to cook in a fraction of the time.
- There are a bunch of different makes and models of air fryers. My husband did the research (as he’s known to do) and found this air fryer [affiliate] to be one of the best. But do your research and purchase one that fits your lifestyle.
How is Air Frying Healthier?
- Air frying is healthier because only a thin layer of oil coats the food and when the hot air comes in contact it will crisp. Saving you a ton of fat and calories (without sacrificing any flavor!) because food is not being submerged in a vat of hot oil.
- Keep in mind, not all air fryers are equal. Some preheat and some do not. Some are smaller than others therefore you may need to work in smaller batches to air fry.
For more Air Fryer recipes, click here for my growing collection.
Once your air fryer is preheated, work in batches, cooking the chicken tenders for 6 to 8 minutes or until deeply golden. Turn halfway through.
Before serving, heat 4 tablespoons (salted) butter, 1 tablespoon honey, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, juice of 1/2 a lemon and 1 tablespoon hot sauce, more or less to taste. If you don’t have hot sauce or prefer this not to have the vinegar flavor, try substituting 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
Serve this hot honey butter alongside the lemon pepper chicken tenders for a delicious sweet heat. However, these are also really good dipped in plain old ranch dressing.
Enjoy! And if you give this Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
FOR THE LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN TENDERS:
- 1¼ pounds chicken tenderloins, about 8
- ½ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, store bought or homemade
- 2½ tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 eggs
- olive oil spray
FOR THE HOT HONEY BUTTER:
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon honey, more or less to taste
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce, more or less to taste
Equipment
Instructions
FOR THE LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN TENDERS:
- Add 1 cup panko style breadcrumbs to a mini (or regular) food processor and pulse until fine. Add it to a shallow bowl with 1½ tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning, stir to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour with 1 tablespoon lemon pepper, stir to combine.
- Then in a third shallow bowl beat 2 eggs.
- Dip the chicken tenders first in the flour, then the beaten eggs - letting any excess drip off back into the bowl, then dredge in the seasoned panko.
- Repeat with remaining chicken tenders.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400℉ (or 200℃). Once preheated, work in batches cooking the chicken tenders for 6 to 8 minutes or until fully cooked and golden brown.
FOR THE HOT HONEY BUTTER:
- Meanwhile, add the butter, honey, garlic powder, lemon juice and hot sauce. If you don't have hot sauce, use 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.
- Whisk to combine and serve warm.
Buy the Cookbook: Simply Scratch : 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy Now available on Amazon »
THANK YOU in advance for your support!
It is a good article thanks for sharing this blog it gives lots of information
Yummy’ yummy. Thank you so much for the recipe.
You’re most welcome!