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Air Fryer Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders Recipe

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These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are perfectly crispy with a flavorful pecan crust, combining crunchy pecans and panko breadcrumbs for a delicious twist on a classic favorite. Ready in just 15 minutes, they’re a quick and healthy way to enjoy tender, juicy chicken without deep frying.

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Chicken Tenders

  • 6 chicken tenders

Breading Mixture

  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika

Coating Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg

Finishing

  • Olive oil spray

Instructions

  1. Prepare the breading mixture: In a bowl, combine the chopped pecans, panko bread crumbs, salt, black pepper, and paprika. This mixture will form the crunchy and flavorful coating for the chicken tenders.
  2. Set up coating stations: Place the flour in one shallow bowl and beat the egg in another. This setup allows for easy and even coating of the chicken tenders.
  3. Prepare the air fryer basket: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
  4. Coat the chicken tenders: Dip each chicken tender first into the flour, coating fully, then into the beaten egg, and finally into the pecan crumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well.
  5. Arrange and spray: Place the coated chicken tenders in the lined air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spray each piece with olive oil to help achieve a golden, crispy crust.
  6. Cook in the air fryer: Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F (204°C) and cook the chicken tenders for 10 minutes. Ensure they are cooked through and the crust is crispy and golden.
  7. Serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving dish. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve with your favorite dipping sauces such as mustard, honey mustard, or hot sauce.

Notes

  • Make sure to not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation for even cooking.
  • Use parchment paper with holes or poke small holes to maintain air flow in the air fryer basket.
  • For extra crispiness, you can flip the chicken tenders halfway through cooking.
  • Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten free.
  • Ensure chicken tenders are fully thawed before coating and cooking for best results.
  • Author: Monica
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Find it online: https://monicarecipes.com/air-fryer-pecan-crusted-chicken-tenders-recipe/