Air-Fried Chicken Tenders with Parmesan

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-16 · Updated 2026-04-16

Crispy chicken tenders coated in a savory Parmesan breadcrumb crust, perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a healthier alternative to deep-frying. This American-inspired air-fryer recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs chicken tenders, all-purpose flour, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 12 oz chicken tenders
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp olive oil

The air fryer we’d crisp this in → Best Air Fryers for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a shallow dish.
2. Step 2: Whisk 1 large egg with 2 tbsp milk in a separate shallow dish until smooth.
3. Step 3: Mix 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese in a third shallow dish.
4. Step 4: Dip 12 oz chicken tenders in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
5. Step 5: Place coated tenders in air fryer basket in a single layer, spray lightly with 1 tbsp olive oil, and air fry for 10-12 minutes at 400°F, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through.