Prepare to indulge in a delightful flavor explosion with these Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with a sweet, savory, and garlicky punch – this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have your taste buds dancing. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a family-friendly appetizer, these chicken tenders are the perfect solution.
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
- 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
How to Make Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Make the Honey Garlic Mixture
In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Set aside half of the mixture to use as a drizzle later.
Coat the Chicken
Dip each chicken tender into the honey garlic mixture, ensuring an even coating. Then, roll the tenders in the breadcrumbs to create a crispy layer.
Preheat and Cook in the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer and air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked.
Finish and Serve
Drizzle the reserved honey garlic sauce over the hot, crispy chicken tenders for an extra burst of flavor. Serve these Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders immediately, and get ready for some serious flavor fireworks!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
To achieve the best results with your Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders, keep these tips in mind:
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Adjust the cooking time based on your specific air fryer model – some may require a bit more or less time.
- For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken tenders in the honey garlic mixture for 30 minutes to an hour before air frying.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating, or regular breadcrumbs for a more classic texture.
Nutritional Information
One serving of these Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders provides approximately 250 calories, 22g of protein, 10g of fat, and 18g of carbohydrates. By using the air fryer, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of fried chicken while significantly reducing the amount of fat and calories compared to traditional frying methods.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
These Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. Serve them as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue. For a complete meal, pair them with a fresh salad, roasted vegetables, or crispy fries. They also make a fantastic addition to meal prep, as the tenders can be easily reheated in the air fryer or oven.
More Related Recipes You Might Enjoy
- Honey Garlic Shrimp
- Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
- Garlic Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
- Honey Mustard Glazed Salmon
FAQs
How long do you need to air fry chicken tenders?
For the Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders, you’ll need to air fry them for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and fully cooked.
How to prepare honey garlic chicken?
To prepare the honey garlic chicken, you’ll first make a simple mixture of honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Dip the chicken tenders into this mixture to coat them, then roll them in breadcrumbs before air frying.
How long to Air Fry honey chicken?
The Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders should be air fried for 10-12 minutes at 400°F (200°C), flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and cooked through.
How long to put honey tenders in an air fryer?
The Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders should be air fried for 10-12 minutes at 400°F (200°C), flipping halfway through, to achieve the perfect balance of crispiness and juiciness.
Conclusion
Indulge in the delightful flavors of Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders for a quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying meal or appetizer. With the convenience of the air fryer and the irresistible combination of sweet, savory, and garlicky notes, these chicken tenders are sure to become a new family favorite. Get ready to experience the ultimate flavor explosion in every bite!
Craving even more magical meals? Browse Amelia’s Pinterest boards for quick dinners, cozy bakes, and tons of flavorful inspiration.
Print
Make Delicious Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Today!
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Prepare to indulge in a delightful flavor explosion with these Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders! Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with a sweet, savory, and garlicky punch – this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have your taste buds dancing. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a family-friendly appetizer, these chicken tenders are the perfect solution.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- Cooking spray
Instructions
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, melted butter, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Set aside half of the mixture to use as a drizzle later.
2. Dip each chicken tender into the honey garlic mixture, ensuring an even coating. Then, roll the tenders in the breadcrumbs to create a crispy layer.
3. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer and air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and fully cooked.
4. Drizzle the reserved honey garlic sauce over the hot, crispy chicken tenders for an extra burst of flavor. Serve these Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders immediately, and get ready for some serious flavor fireworks!
Notes
To achieve the best results with your Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders, keep these tips in mind:
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
Adjust the cooking time based on your specific air fryer model – some may require a bit more or less time.
For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken tenders in the honey garlic mixture for 30 minutes to an hour before air frying.
Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating, or regular breadcrumbs for a more classic texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg