Get ready for your new weeknight obsession! These Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are the ultimate solution when you need something delicious, fast, and universally loved. We are talking about maximum crunch with zero guilt, all coated in a sticky, sweet, and savory glaze that is honestly finger-licking good.
Crispy Honey Butter Garlic Tenders you can make in 20 minutes
Say goodbye to greasy stovetops and hello to the most effortless dinner cleanup ever. This recipe delivers that crave-worthy “fried chicken” texture without the deep fryer, and the sauce? It’s a game-changer. Sweet honey, rich butter, and aromatic garlic come together to create a flavor profile that even the pickiest eaters at your table will devour.
Recipe Overview
Let’s break down why this recipe is about to become a staple in your rotation. It’s fast, fresh, and requires minimal effort.
- Cuisine: American
- Category: Dinner / Appetizer
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Servings: 4
Do You Love This Recipe Too?
I created this recipe on a Tuesday night when I was staring at a package of chicken tenders and had absolutely no energy for a complicated meal. I wanted that comfort food crunch but didn’t want the hassle of hot oil.
The result was magic. The air fryer locks in the juices while the panko creates that shattering crispiness we all love. But the real star is reserving half the sauce to drizzle after cooking—it keeps the breading crisp while adding a burst of fresh flavor.
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Make Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders with simple ingredients and straightforward steps. Prep, cook, and enjoy—perfect for busy weeknights.
Author: Olyvia Thompson Prep: 10 min | Cook: 12 min | Total: 22 min Servings: 4
Rate Print
Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray
Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)
- Make the Honey Garlic Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Crucial Step: Set aside half of this mixture in a separate small bowl for drizzling after cooking.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the first half of the honey-garlic mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then roll it immediately in breadcrumbs to thoroughly coat. Press the crumbs gently to adhere.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set it to 400°F (200°C) and let it warm up for a few minutes.
- Arrange and Cook: Spray the air fryer basket lightly with cooking spray. Place tenders in a single layer (do not overlap; work in batches if needed). Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked (internal temp 165°F).
- Finish and Serve: Transfer to a serving plate and immediately drizzle the reserved honey garlic sauce over the hot tenders for extra flavor.
Notes
For the best crunch, I highly recommend using Panko breadcrumbs rather than standard breadcrumbs!
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready
Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready
Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)
Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders!
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Information
Calories: ~320 kcal per serving
Did You Make This?
Please leave a review and tag us on social media!
The combination of the crunchy exterior and that sticky, garlicky finish is just irresistible. It’s the perfect balance of savory and sweet!
My Shopping List for This Recipe
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You probably have most of these items in your pantry right now!
The stars of the show are the honey (use a good quality clover honey if you can) and fresh garlic. While you can use garlic powder in a pinch, fresh minced garlic really makes the butter sauce pop.
Let’s Get Your Ingredients Ready
Okay, let’s gather our cast of characters! Having everything prepped makes the process fly by.
- 1 lb chicken tenders (or chicken breast sliced into strips)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko is best for crunch!)
- Cooking spray (olive oil or avocado oil spray works well)
Bringing This Recipe to Life (Step-by-Step)
Ready to get cooking? Here is how we achieve that perfect golden crust.
- Make the Honey Garlic Mixture: Whisk honey, melted butter, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Remember to split this batch! Half is for coating the raw chicken, and half is the “finishing glaze.”
- Coat the Chicken: Create an assembly line. Dip the chicken in the sticky sauce, then dredge it in the breadcrumbs.
- Preheat: Get that air fryer hot! 400°F (200°C) is the sweet spot for browning.
- Cook: Arrange the tenders in the basket. Give them space to breathe—this ensures they get crispy rather than steamed. Cook 10–12 minutes, flipping once.
- Serve: Drizzle that saved sauce over the top right before serving.
Fun Variations to Try Next Time
Want to switch things up? Here are a few ways to customize this dish.
Make it Spicy: Add one tablespoon Sriracha or one teaspoon red pepper flakes to the honey butter mixture for a “Hot Honey” vibe.
Gluten-Free: Swap the breadcrumbs for crushed pork rinds or gluten-free panko. The binding sauce works perfectly for both.
Herb It Up: Add dried thyme or rosemary to the breadcrumbs for an earthier flavor profile.
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Got leftovers? These make excellent lunch options for tomorrow.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Do not microwave them if you want to keep the crunch! Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes until warmed through and crisp again.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- Calories: ~320 kcal per serving
A Quick Q&A on This Recipe
Here are a few tips to ensure your chicken turns out perfect every time.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Yes! Just slice the chicken breasts into 1-inch thick strips. Try to keep them uniform in size so they cook evenly.
Why did my breading fall off?
Make sure you press the breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken. Also, flipping the chicken gently halfway through cooking helps keep the coating intact.
Can I bake these in the oven?
Absolutely. If you don’t have an air fryer, place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway.
There you have it! Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders that are sure to become a weekly request in your house.
They are sticky, savory, and satisfyingly crunchy. The perfect meal when you want high-reward flavor with low-effort cooking.
I’d love to know how you served yours! Did you add extra spice? Let me know in the comments below!
