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Sheet pan containing 7 air fryer chicken tenders coated in a pecan crust.
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5 from 14 votes

Pecan-Crusted Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Quick and easy, these chicken tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and just simply delicious! If you love chicken strips, this recipe cuts the grease without losing any of the incredible flavors!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Appetizer, dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 483kcal
Author: Amanda Mason

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 8 chicken tenderloins, uncooked
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 Tablsepoons whole grain mustard
  • ½ cup pecans, finely chopped
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs,
  • ¼ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 2 Tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
  • pinch salt
  • pinch pepper

Instructions

In The Air Fryer

  • Start by basting 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil on the bottom of the basket.
  • Next, seasoning the raw meat with a generous amount of salt and pepper.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise and whole grain mustard. Set aside.
  • In a shallow bowl, mix the chopped pecan chips, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and chopped parsley. Stir until well combined.
  • Using tongs, coat each raw tenderloin in the mayonnaise and mustard mixture until each piece is well coated on all sides.
  • Using the same tongs, dip each tenderloin in the pecan breadcrumb mixture, flipping to both sides, until the entire piece is thoroughly covered. Put them on a plate and set aside.
  • The next step involves preheating the air fryer. Do not remove the basket. Set it to 360°F and let it preheat for 2-3 minutes.
  • Once it has preheated, put each pecan crusted piece of chicken in the basket, reset the cooking timer, and close.
  • For even cooking, place the breaded tenderloins in the basket in a single layer. Ensure there is no overlap.
  • Set the air fryer to the chicken setting. If your fryer doesn't have pre-programmed food settings, set the temperature to 360°F.
  • Set the timer to 20 minutes.
  • When done, the timer will go off. Pull the handle and remove the basket. Serve immediately with dipping sauce.

In The Oven

  • Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  • Follow the same instructions in steps 2-6 above.
  • Put each breaded tenderloin on an aluminum foil covered baking sheet.
  • Cook for 16-18 minutes, turning halfway until done.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use at least a 5.8-quart air fryer to feed a family of 4-5 people. If you're air fryer is smaller, you'll have to work in batches, so the tenders don't overlap.
  • Don't use cooking spray, such as Pam, to spray the bottom of the basket. It will leave a residue that is hard to remove. Olive, grape seed, or avocado oil is the best. You can even make a homemade EVOO spray.
  • You can use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins by slicing them into ½-inch thick strips. Or, air fry the entire breast. Chicken thighs are also a great substitute and taste amazing in this breading.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. It's best to reheat the cooked tenders in the oven at 350°F for 7-10 minutes or in the air fryer for 5-7 minutes or until warm and crispy on the outside.
  • These air fryer chicken tenders make an amazing freezer meal! Just place the completely cooled leftover tenders in a freezer-safe container in a single line. Freeze for up to 3 months and reheat directly from frozen.

Nutrition

Calories: 483kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 510mg | Potassium: 466mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 265IU | Vitamin C: 3.9mg | Calcium: 119mg | Iron: 1.7mg