Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
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Crispy with the perfect kick of spice, Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders are an easy, healthier take on classic buffalo wings. With no breading and simple ingredients, this recipe makes a deliciously satisfying and quick appetizer or dinner.
Considering you’ll find everything from Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls to Buffalo Chicken Tacos, Buffalo Chicken Sliders, Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, or even just a classic batch of Air Fryer Buffalo Wings on my site, I’d say my love for the protein/sauce combo is pretty obvious. Heck, I even have a whole post dedicated to it (check it out here: Buffalo Chicken Dinner Ideas).
So when I tell you that these air fryer tenders are one of my favorite ways to enjoy buffalo chicken, it means they’re seriously good.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and satisfying: Air fry up a batch of these tenders along with Air Fryer French Fries, add a dipping sauce like blue cheese dressing or my Homemade Herb Ranch Dressing, and you’ve got an easy and filling meal or a crowd-pleasing appetizer!
- On the lighter side: Because these homemade buffalo chicken tenders are air fried and without breading, they’re a much lighter version than anything you’d order at a restaurant.
- Foolproof: With my blend of seasonings that deliver the perfect flavor every time, there’s no way to mess up this beyond easy recipe.
Ingredients you will need
- Chicken tenders: Most grocery stores sell raw chicken tenders or chicken tenderloins, which are a cut of chicken that comes from the underside of the breast.
- Seasonings: A dry rub adds lots of savory flavor. You could add some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for additional heat.
- Buffalo sauce: Feel free to use your favorite store bought buffalo sauce. Frank’s RedHot is always a great option! I love Noble Made for a dairy free and sugar free option.
- Honey: Balances out the spicy and bold flavors with some sticky sweetness.
- Blue cheese: A classic pairing option for buffalo wings, and adding blue cheese crumbles to your tenders adds an extra layer of flavor.
*For a detailed list of instructions, ingredients and measurements, please reference the recipe card down below.
How to make buffalo chicken tenders
Step 1: Prepare the seasoning. In a large bowl, combine all seasoning. Add your chicken tenders to the bowl and toss until well coated.
Step 2: Air fry the chicken. Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook.
Step 3: Make the buffalo sauce. Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the sauce ingredients and stir until the butter melts. Set aside.
Step 4: Coat the chicken. Brush the cooked chicken with sauce. Caramelize the sauce by air frying for another 2 minutes. Top with green onions and blue cheese crumbles.
Recipe Variations
- Oven Baked Buffalo Chicken Tenders: If your air fryer is occupied or you prefer to use the oven for a larger batch, you can follow the same recipe and bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes or until the internal temperature has reached 165F. Add the sauce to the chicken and broil for 2-3 minutes, then garnish and serve.
Storage & Reheating
Knowing how to store chicken properly is a great way to meal prep for the week!
Allow your leftover buffalo chicken strips to cool, then transfer them to an airtight container or ziploc bag. They will keep in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
You can also freeze your homemade chicken tenders for quick and easy dinners down the road. They’ll last several months in the freezer!
To reheat, pop leftover buffalo chicken tenders back in the air fryer or the oven at 350 degrees until they’re warmed through again. You can even cook them right from frozen! Just add a few additional minutes of cooking time.
What to serve with buffalo chicken tenders
Pair your no breading chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauces: ketchup, herb ranch dressing, BBQ sauce, or a batch of homemade Chick-fil-A sauce are all great options! You could also serve with more hot sauce or buffalo sauce for extra bold flavor.
Make a batch of Air Fryer Potato Wedges or Air Fryer Polenta fFies and a light and healthy Chopped Vegetable Salad for a fantastic and filling meal.
If you have leftover chicken tenders, you can use them to make this Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad, add them to wraps, and more!
More Easy chicken recipes
If you tried these Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 lbs chicken tenders
- olive oil spray, for cooking
- 3/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
Instructions
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray and preheat the air fryer to 375 F.olive oil spray,
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, fresh parsley, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.1 tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. In a bowl, toss the chicken tenders with the seasoning mixture until evenly coated.2 lbs chicken tenders
- Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken starts to brown.
- While the chicken is cooking, heat the buffalo sauce, butter and honey in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter has melted. Stir and set aside.3/4 cup buffalo sauce, 1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 1/2 tbsp honey
- Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a plate and brush the buffalo sauce all over the chicken tenders and toss until they are well coated. Place them back in the air fryer for 2 more minutes to caramelize the sauce.
- Serve the buffalo chicken tenders warm and topped with blue cheese crumbles and sliced green onions.3 tbsp sliced green onions, 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
Oven Instructions
- Follow the directions up until step 3, then bake in the oven, on the middle rack at 350F for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Remove the chicken tenders from the oven and set the broiler on high with a rack 2 inches from the heating element.Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a plate and brush the buffalo sauce all over the chicken tenders and toss until they are well coated. Place them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
Notes
- Feel free to use your favorite store-bought buffalo sauce instead of making your own.
- If your air fryer is already being used, or you wish to cook a larger batch, follow the oven instructions above.
