Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Crispy, crunchy- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders are perfect for an appetizer, main course, salads, wraps and more.
The Deets:
If you know me, then you know that I absoletly love anything with buffalo sauce on it. When I go to chick-fil-a I order a side salad and nuggets and toss the nuggets in the buffalo sauce, add them to my salad and drizzle with ranch dressing- it’s the best!
I thought making my own at home in the air fryer would probably be a little healthier and depending on what buffalo sauce you use, these will not be spicy.
What Kind of buffalo sauce should I use?
I like to use Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce because it is made with avocado oil, it has less sodium and a more mild and creamy flavor.
You can find Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce at pretty much any grocery store on the condement aisle. I have even seen it next to the gluten free/specialty items. I have not tried the one from Trader Joes, but everything from there is amazing, so I say- go for it!
Do I have to use an air fryer?
No! These can be made in the oven, just follow the same steps and bake them at 425 degress for about 20-25 mins. I will provide further instructions bellow.
Ingredients:
- chicken tenders:Â roughly 10 chicken tenders or 3 smaller breast cut into strips.
- buffalo sauce:Â Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce
- panko bread crumbsÂ
- seasoned bread crumbs
- Ranch seasoning:Â I usally just buy the dry ranch dressging seasoning packets, but you can use whatever kind you want.Â
- parmesan cheese
- olive oil sprayÂ
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The Prep:
- Marinate chicken tenders in 1/2 cup of Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce for a minimum of 3 hours. I like to marinate mine over night, BUT if you are using any other buffalo sauce (not Primal Kitchen) I would only marinate for about 1 hour.
- Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce has more of a milder flavor than say, Frank’s Hot Sauce does. If using a buffalo sauce similar to Frank’s, only marinate for 1-2 hours
- These can even be marinated and then popped into the freezer to be one step ahead for those busy nights!
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees- setting the drip pan on the bottom rack.
- If using the oven to make these- preheat to 425 degrees placing the oven rack towards the upper middle rack, not the top, but just up one or two racks from the middle. Follow the same steps bellow and cook for about 10 mins per side, spray each side with olive oil.
- Meanwhile, in a large ziplock bag, add the panko bread crumbs, seasoned bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and ranch seasoning. Give the the bag a good shake and then add all of the tenders to the bread crumb mixture. Shake the bag until all of the tenders are coated in the bread crumb mixture.
- Lay the tenders flat on the air fryer pan and spray generously with olive oil spray. Flip the tenders over, making sure the do not over lap and then spray the other side (generously) with olive oil.
- Place the tenders on the middle rack of the air fryer and cook for about 7-8 minutes per side (flipping once), or until they reach a temp of 165 degrees.
- Serve with ranch dressing and enjoy!
How to I know when they are done?
I always know my chicken is almost done when it starts to brown on top. You want to have a firm tender- meaning, no bounce back. Bounce back is when you press into the chicken with your finger and the chicken is firm, it does not bounce back up.
Leftovers?
These tenders are perfect for salads or wraps the next day.Â
I love eating my leftover tenders in a low carb wrap with spinach, tomato, avocado and ranch- so good!
Just place them in a tupperware container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Enjoy, guys!
xoxoÂ
Les
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 10 chicken strips/tenders roughly 1 1/2 lbs
- 1/2 cup Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce or other favorite buffalo sauce
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp ranch seasoning
- olive oil spray
Let's Make It
- Marinate chicken tenders in 1/2 cup of Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce for a minimum of 3 hours. I like to marinate mine over night, BUT if you are using any other buffalo sauce (not Primal Kitchen) I would only marinate for about 1 hour. Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce has more of a milder flavor than say, Frank's Hot Sauce does. If using a buffalo sauce similar to Frank's, only marinate for 1-2 hours.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees- setting the drip pan on the bottom rack.
- Meanwhile, in a large ziplock bag, add the panko bread crumbs, seasoned bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and ranch seasoning. Give the the bag a good shake and then add all of the tenders to the bread crumb mixture. Shake the bag until all of the tenders are coated in the bread crumb mixture.
- Lay the tenders flat on the air fryer pan and spray generously with olive oil spray. Flip the tenders over, making sure the do not over lap and then spray the other side (generously) with olive oil.
- Place the tenders on the middle rack of the air fryer and cook for about 7-8 minutes per side (flipping once), or until they reach a temp of 165 degrees.
- Serve with ranch dressing and enjoy!
