Description
Crispy and flavorful Air Fryer Pecan Chicken Tenders made with a crunchy pecan and parmesan coating. These easy-to-make chicken tenders are coated in a honey mustard mayonnaise mixture, then rolled in a crunchy pecan-panko-parmesan blend and air fried to golden perfection. Ready in just 18 minutes, this recipe offers a healthier alternative to fried chicken tenders with delicious nutty crispiness and tender juicy chicken inside.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 8 boneless skinless chicken tenders
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Coating Mixture
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp honey mustard dressing
- ½ cup finely chopped pecans
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Season the boneless skinless chicken tenders on both sides with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Prepare Coating Mixtures: In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and honey mustard dressing until well combined. In a shallow dish, mix the finely chopped pecans, panko bread crumbs, and grated parmesan cheese.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the mayonnaise mixture coating both sides completely, then roll the chicken tenders in the pecan-panko-parmesan mixture until fully coated. Place the coated chicken tenders on a baking rack and refrigerate for one hour to help the coating adhere better during cooking.
- Preheat and Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 375ºF (190ºC). Place half of the coated chicken tenders into the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Lightly spray the chicken tenders with cooking spray to help them crisp up.
- Cook the Chicken Tenders: Cook the chicken tenders in the air fryer for 8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the basket and repeat the cooking process with the remaining chicken tenders.
Notes
- Refrigerating the coated chicken tenders before cooking helps the coating stick better and results in a crispier texture.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispness.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model—check chicken for an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) for safety.
- You can substitute honey mustard dressing with Dijon mustard mixed with honey if preferred.
- For a lower-fat option, use light mayonnaise, or substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
