Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
If you are craving something irresistibly tasty and quick to whip up, the Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These chicken tenders are perfectly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy inside, and coated in a luscious honey butter garlic sauce that brings just the right balance of sweetness and savory garlic punch. Using an air fryer keeps the process clean, fast, and healthy without sacrificing flavor – making it a weeknight winner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer that everyone will ask for again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with this recipe is a breeze because it calls for simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Each one plays a crucial role in building the amazing flavor and perfect texture that makes this dish so addictive.
- Chicken tenders: The star of the dish; tender and quick-cooking, perfect for air frying.
- Butter, melted: Adds rich creaminess and helps carry the garlic and honey flavors.
- Honey: Brings natural sweetness that balances the savory garlic and buttery richness.
- Garlic, minced: Packs a punch with robust, aromatic flavor essential to this recipe.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and ensures the chicken tastes perfectly seasoned.
- Black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor to round out the dish.
How to Make Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
Always start by bringing your air fryer up to the right temperature – 375°F (190°C) is just right for cooking chicken tenders to golden perfection with a crispy outside.
Step 2: Prepare the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This sauce is the magic that will coat your chicken tenders for a flavor-packed result.
Step 3: Dry and Coat the Chicken Tenders
Patting the chicken tenders dry removes excess moisture, which helps them crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. Toss or brush the tenders with half of your honey butter garlic sauce to infuse them with flavor before cooking.
Step 4: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket
Place the chicken tenders in a single layer without overlapping. This allows hot air to circulate and ensures every piece cooks evenly and crisps up on all sides.
Step 5: Air Fry Until Golden and Cooked Through
Cook for about 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through to get an even golden brown color. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and feels juicy and tender.
Step 6: Toss in Remaining Sauce and Serve
Right after they come out of the air fryer, toss the chicken tenders in the remaining honey butter garlic sauce. This final step coats them in a glossy, flavorful glaze that makes these chicken tenders simply irresistible.
How to Serve Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or chives on top for a fresh pop of color and a mild herbal note. A light dusting of chili flakes can also add a lovely contrast to the sweet and buttery flavors.
Side Dishes
These chicken tenders pair wonderfully with crispy air-fried fries, a simple green salad, or even buttery garlic mashed potatoes. For a lighter touch, try serving with roasted vegetables or a tangy coleslaw.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these tenders skewered with a few lemon wedges and a side of dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese for a party appetizer. Another fun idea is to place them on slider buns with lettuce and tomato for tasty mini sandwiches everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This lets you enjoy the delicious flavors again without losing any of that amazing honey butter garlic zest.
Freezing
If you want to save them longer, freeze the cooked chicken tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months and thaw quickly.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes to regain crispiness while warming the chicken through. Alternatively, a quick toss in a hot skillet works too if you want to add a bit of sear back to the tenders.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
You absolutely can, but make sure to slice the chicken breasts into strips of similar size to the tenders so they cook evenly and stay juicy in the air fryer.
Is this recipe spicy?
Not at all! The flavor profile is sweet, buttery, and garlicky. If you want a bit of heat, you can easily add some chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce.
Do I need to flip the chicken halfway through cooking?
Flipping helps both sides get that perfect crispy golden color and ensures even cooking, so it’s highly recommended for best results.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix the honey butter garlic sauce in advance and store it in the fridge. Just warm it slightly before tossing with the cooked chicken tenders to get that melt-in-your-mouth glaze.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake the tenders in a conventional oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious with the honey butter garlic coating.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe has quickly earned a top spot in my recipe collection thanks to its incredible flavor, simplicity, and quick prep time. Once you try these tender, crispy bites glazed with homemade honey butter garlic sauce, you’ll be hooked too. They’re perfect for busy nights or feeding a hungry crowd, and the air fryer makes cleanup just as easy as the cooking. Give it a go and watch everyone ask for seconds!
Print
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Deliciously tender and juicy chicken tenders coated in a sweet and savory honey butter garlic sauce, air fried to golden perfection for a quick and easy meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken tenders
Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for cooking the chicken tenders evenly.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create the honey butter garlic sauce.
- Dry Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry thoroughly with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture, which helps in better browning and crispness.
- Coat Chicken: Lightly brush or toss the chicken tenders with half of the prepared honey butter garlic mixture, ensuring each piece is coated evenly.
- Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overlapping to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Air Fry Chicken: Cook the tenders for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Continue until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) for safety.
- Toss with Remaining Sauce: Once cooked, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and immediately toss them in the remaining honey butter garlic sauce for extra flavor.
- Serve: Serve the chicken tenders warm and enjoy this sweet and savory treat.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, ensure the chicken tenders are spaced out in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.
- You can adjust the amount of honey according to your preferred sweetness level.
- Use a thermometer to check the internal temperature for perfectly cooked chicken every time.
- The sauce can easily be doubled if you want extra coating or for dipping.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
