Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Dijon and Thyme

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-11 · Updated 2026-04-11

Crisp, golden chicken tenders coated in a tangy Dijon and thyme glaze, perfectly cooked in the air fryer for a healthier weeknight dinner. This American-inspired air-fryer recipe, ready in about 27 minutes, pairs Chicken breast, boneless and skinless, Dijon mustard, Fresh thyme leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 410 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 breast, boneless and skinless
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp Fresh thyme leaves
• 3 tbsp All-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp Paprika
• 1/4 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 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 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes. In a shallow bowl, combine 3 tbsp all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: In a separate small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp Dijon mustard with 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves until smooth.
3. Step 3: Dredge each 12 oz chicken breast piece in the flour mixture, then dip into the Dijon mustard mixture, coating evenly, and place in air fryer basket lined with 1 tbsp olive oil.
4. Step 4: Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).