Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
If you love the irresistible combination of sweet, savory, and garlicky flavors, Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are about to become your new obsession! Every bite brings together golden, juicy chicken with a sticky glaze that’s rich, buttery, and just garlicky enough to keep you reaching for more. The magic happens in the air fryer, where a crispy coating meets honey butter garlic sauce in a match made in flavor heaven. Whether you’re cooking for family game night or just treating yourself, this recipe is comfort food with a modern twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe is all about big flavor with minimal fuss. Each ingredient is simple, easy to find, and plays a starring role in creating those crave-worthy, sweet-and-savory Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders. Here’s what you’ll need and why:
- Chicken Tenders: The perfect canvas for soaking up all that sweet, garlicky, buttery flavor, plus they cook quickly and stay juicy.
- Honey: Adds the signature sweetness and helps form that luscious, sticky glaze.
- Unsalted Butter (melted): Makes the sauce rich, silky, and coats the tenders beautifully.
- Fresh Garlic (minced): Punches up the flavor, infusing every bite with bold garlic notes.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness of the honey.
- Black Pepper: Adds warmth and a touch of subtle heat.
- Paprika (optional): Gives a gentle smokiness and a hint of color for extra appeal.
- Olive Oil or Cooking Spray: Ensures your tenders crisp up perfectly in the air fryer without sticking.
- Panko Breadcrumbs (optional): For those who love a bit of extra crunch, panko delivers spot-on crispiness!
How to Make Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Step 1: Whisk the Honey Butter Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, combine your melted butter, honey, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika if you’re using it. Whisk until you have a golden, fragrant sauce that smells like pure bliss. Setting aside half of this sauce for later means you’ll have all the flavor layers right at the end!
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken Tenders
Pat your chicken tenders dry with paper towels—this helps them brown nicely and soak up the honey butter garlic sauce. If you’re after that irresistible crunch, brush each tender with half of your prepared sauce, then gently press them into panko breadcrumbs, making sure every nook and cranny is covered.
Step 3: Preheat and Spray the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 375°F and give the basket a good spray with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent any sticking. This quick step sets you up for perfectly crisped Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders every time.
Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection
Arrange the tenders in a single layer without crowding (work in batches if needed). Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway so each side gets golden and crispy. When the tenders turn a gorgeous golden brown and the internal temperature hits 165°F, you know they’re ready.
Step 5: Toss in Reserved Sauce and Serve
While the tenders are still piping hot, toss them in the remaining honey butter garlic sauce. Watch as the glossy glaze wraps around the crisp coating—this is where all that flavor magic really locks in for these Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders. Serve the tenders warm and watch them disappear!
How to Serve Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Garnishes
For a pop of color and extra flavor, sprinkle your finished tenders with chopped fresh parsley or chives. If you like a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot honey takes Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders over the top!
Side Dishes
These tenders are wonderfully versatile—pair them with crisp coleslaw, fluffy mashed potatoes, or roasted veggies for a balanced meal. If you’re serving a crowd, set out a platter alongside sweet potato fries or your favorite salad to round things out.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful and tuck them into slider rolls for mini sandwiches, slice them over a tangy salad, or stack them high on a platter with dipping sauces for a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are totally weeknight-friendly but special enough for a party spread!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and pop them in the fridge—they’ll stay tasty for up to three days. The honey butter garlic coating continues to infuse the chicken with rich flavor, so leftovers are just as irresistible the next day.
Freezing
To freeze, let the tenders cool completely, then lay them out on a baking sheet to freeze individually before transferring to a zip-top bag. This prevents sticking and lets you grab just a few Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders whenever you need a quick snack or lunch.
Reheating
Your best bet for restoring crispiness is using your air fryer: pop chilled tenders in at 375°F for 3 to 4 minutes. If you’re reheating from frozen, add another couple minutes. The air fryer brings back that crave-worthy crunch!
FAQs
Can I make these Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders without panko?
Absolutely! Panko breadcrumbs add crunch, but the honey butter garlic sauce alone gives the chicken tenders gorgeous caramelization and tons of flavor. Go panko-free for a slightly lighter, softer finish.
What’s the best way to melt the butter for the sauce?
Simply microwave unsalted butter in short bursts until fully melted, or melt it gently on the stovetop. Make sure it’s not too hot when whisking with honey, so your sauce stays smooth and glossy.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
You can! Just slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into strips about the same size as tenders. This ensures even cooking and all that delicious honey butter garlic flavor in every bite.
Are these Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders gluten-free?
To make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap the panko for your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs or skip the breading altogether. Always double-check your ingredients to make sure they fit your needs!
Can I bake these instead of using an air fryer?
Definitely. Arrange your prepped chicken tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet, bake at 400°F for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’ll still turn out golden with all the same sticky, saucy goodness.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving something that’s equal parts comforting, easy, and impressive, you have to give Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders a try. Their sweet-savory tang, crispy edges, and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness will win over anyone at your table. Trust me, once you make these, you’ll want them on repeat!
Print
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are a perfect combination of sweet and savory, with a crispy coating and tender, juicy chicken. Easy to make and ready in no time, they are a delicious main course that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Chicken Tenders:
- 1 pound chicken tenders
Honey Butter Garlic Sauce:
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
Coating:
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional for crunch)
Instructions
- Mix the Sauce: Whisk together melted butter, honey, garlic, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat dry the chicken tenders and coat with half of the honey butter mixture and panko breadcrumbs if desired.
- Air Fry: Preheat air fryer, arrange tenders in a single layer, and cook at 375°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Toss in Sauce: Remove chicken and toss in the remaining honey butter garlic sauce. Serve warm.
Notes
- For the crispiest results, use panko and avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- Add red pepper flakes or hot honey for a spicy kick.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for 3–4 minutes at 375°F.
- Alternatively, bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes if not using an air fryer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 4 tenders
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
