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Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders

Crispy air-fried chicken tenders coated in a glossy, sweet-savory honey butter garlic sauce. Tender inside, crunchy outside, and ready in about 25 minutes. Perfect quick dinner, appetizer, or game-day snack that tastes indulgent but uses way less oil than deep-frying. Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10–12 minutes Total Time: ~25 minutes Servings: 4
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the chicken tenders:
  • 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins or boneless breasts cut into strips
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 Tbsp milk or water
  • Cooking oil spray olive or avocado
  • For the honey butter garlic sauce:
  • 4 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ⅓ cup honey
  • 2 Tbsp soy sauce low-sodium preferred
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • ¼ –½ tsp red pepper flakes optional – adjust for heat
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley optional garnish

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken dry. If using breasts, slice into 1-inch wide strips.
  2. Set up two bowls: one with flour + garlic powder + onion powder + paprika + salt + pepper; second with beaten eggs + milk.
  3. Dredge each tender in flour, shake off excess → dip in egg → back in flour (press gently).
  4. Preheat air fryer to 400°F.
  5. Arrange tenders in single layer (batches if needed). Lightly spray tops with oil.
  6. Air fry 10–12 minutes, flip halfway, spray again, until golden and internal temp reaches 165°F.
  7. While cooking: melt butter in skillet over medium heat → add garlic, cook 30–60 sec until fragrant → stir in honey, soy sauce, vinegar, red pepper flakes → simmer 1–2 min until slightly thickened. Taste & adjust.
  8. Toss hot tenders in sauce until coated. Garnish with parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

Pat chicken very dry → better crisp.
Double dredge + light oil spray = best crunch without deep frying.
Don’t over-simmer sauce or it can separate.
For extra sticky glaze, reserve some sauce to drizzle after tossing.
Gluten-free: use 1:1 GF flour blend + tamari instead of soy sauce.