If you have a craving for something irresistibly flavorful yet incredibly simple, the Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe will quickly become your go-to comfort food. This dish perfectly balances the rich creaminess of butter, the natural sweetness of honey, and the bold punch of garlic, all wrapped around tender, juicy chicken strips cooked to golden perfection in an air fryer. Whether you’re whipping up a quick weeknight dinner or impressing friends at a casual gathering, these chicken tenders bring the kind of homey warmth and crispy delight you won’t want to share.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering a handful of straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients is the first step to creating this dish’s magic. Each one plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, ensuring your Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe delivers both texture and taste that sing.
- 1 lb chicken tenders: The star of the show—naturally tender and quick-cooking for perfect results.
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted: Adds rich, velvety flavor and helps the garlic and honey cling beautifully to the chicken.
- 3 tablespoons honey: Brings that subtle sweetness that complements the garlicky kick.
- 3 cloves garlic, minced: Fresh garlic offers bold aroma and robust depth that transforms the dish.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors, making each bite perfectly seasoned.
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper: Adds a gentle heat and balance to the sweet and buttery notes.
How to Make Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer
Start by preheating the air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and achieves that crispy exterior that gives the tenders their satisfying crunch.
Step 2: Prepare the honey butter garlic sauce
In a small bowl, combine melted butter, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk them together so the flavors meld into a smooth and luscious sauce that will coat your chicken perfectly.
Step 3: Pat the chicken tenders dry
Using a paper towel, press gently on the chicken tenders to remove any excess moisture. Dry tenders crisp up beautifully in the air fryer, giving you that golden and slightly caramelized finish.
Step 4: Coat the chicken tenders with the sauce
Brush or toss the tenders with half of the honey butter garlic mixture. This initial coating will start infusing the chicken with flavor and prevent the tenders from drying out during cooking.
Step 5: Arrange tenders in the air fryer basket
Lay the chicken tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap. Ample space allows hot air to circulate, which is key to cooking them evenly and making them crisp.
Step 6: Air fry to perfection
Cook the tenders for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You’re aiming for a beautiful golden brown color and an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to be perfectly cooked and juicy inside.
Step 7: Toss in remaining honey butter garlic sauce
Once out of the air fryer, immediately toss the chicken tenders in the leftover honey butter garlic mixture. This extra step provides a fresh burst of flavor and keeps the tenders moist and glossy.
Step 8: Serve warm and enjoy
There’s nothing better than digging into these tenders while they’re still warm and fragrant. Their sweet, garlicky, buttery goodness makes each bite truly unforgettable.
How to Serve Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or green onions on top to add a pop of color and a hint of freshness that complements the rich flavors beautifully. A few red pepper flakes can also add a subtle heat if you want to kick things up a notch.
Side Dishes
These chicken tenders go wonderfully with a crisp side salad or roasted vegetables for a lighter option. For something heartier, try them alongside fluffy mashed potatoes or buttery rice pilaf to soak up every bit of that honey garlic sauce.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve them on a wooden board with small bowls of dipping sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or even a spicy sriracha mayo. You can also build a fun wrap or sandwich by adding lettuce, tomato, and a drizzle of extra honey butter garlic sauce inside a warm pita or bun.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, place the chicken tenders in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll stay delicious for up to 3 days, retaining most of their moisture and flavor.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze the cooked tenders on a baking sheet in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. When properly stored, they’ll keep well for up to 2 months, perfect for quick meals on busy days.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for about 3 to 5 minutes to restore that crispy texture and warm the honey butter garlic coating without drying out the chicken. Microwaving is possible but may lose some of the original crispiness.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?
While fresh tenders deliver the best texture, you can use frozen chicken tenders; just be sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry to avoid sogginess during cooking.
Is it possible to make this recipe without butter?
Butter is key to the rich flavor in this recipe, but you could experiment with olive oil or a dairy-free butter alternative if needed, though the taste and texture will be slightly different.
How can I make the sauce spicier?
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some crushed red pepper flakes to the honey butter garlic sauce for a gentle heat that pairs nicely with the sweetness.
Can I double the recipe easily?
Absolutely! Just double all ingredients and cook the tenders in batches if your air fryer basket is small to maintain even cooking and crispness.
What’s the best way to check doneness?
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature hits 165°F (75°C) for safe and perfectly cooked chicken tenders.
Final Thoughts
You truly can’t go wrong with the Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe. It’s straightforward, quick, and delivers comfort food vibes with every bite. Once you try it, I have a feeling this sweet, savory, and garlicky dish will hold a cozy spot in your recipe repertoire for years to come. Give it a whirl, and get ready to fall in love all over again!
Print
Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Air Fryer Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are juicy, tender chicken strips coated in a flavorful honey butter garlic sauce. Perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a crispy texture without the extra oil, this recipe is a quick and satisfying meal suitable for busy weeknights.
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 the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature for cooking the chicken tenders evenly and to achieve a crispy exterior.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the melted butter, honey, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to create the flavorful honey butter garlic sauce that will coat the chicken.
- Dry Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry using paper towels to remove any excess moisture; this helps the sauce adhere better and improves crispiness when air frying.
- Coat Chicken: Lightly brush or toss the chicken tenders with half of the honey butter garlic mixture, ensuring each piece is evenly coated for maximum flavor.
- Arrange in Basket: Place the coated chicken tenders in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, making sure not to overlap them to allow hot air circulation for even cooking.
- Air Fry: Cook the chicken tenders at 375°F (190°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they are golden brown and cooked through; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C) for safety.
- Coat Again: Once cooked, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and immediately toss them with the remaining honey butter garlic sauce for an extra burst of flavor and shine.
- Serve: Serve the chicken tenders warm, allowing the succulent, garlicky, sweet coating to be enjoyed at its best.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
- You can substitute chicken tenders with chicken strips or small chicken breasts cut into strips.
- Adjust honey amount based on your preferred sweetness level.
- Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) to ensure thorough cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the air fryer to retain crispness.
