Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders

What You Will ❤️ About Buffalo Chicken Tenders

• Spicy as you like – You can make these mild or spicy – depending on your taste. I’ll give you tips & tricks in the recipe! (The darker ones are spicier!)
• Hand Held – These little tenders are perfect for little fingers or adults – easy to dip!
• Real Chicken – Unlike the frozen “chicken fries” these aren’t pressed chicken – you’re making these with real chicken breast!
• Fewer Ingredients – Because we’re using wing sauce as our binder to hold the panko to the chicken – you don’t have to have the mess of eggs and flour!

Ingredients for Buffalo Chicken Tenders

• 2 chicken breasts – you can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins that are already cut into smaller pieces.
• 1/2 cup buffalo wing sauce – you can use Frank’s Buffalo if you like – but I tend to like the creamier wing sauces – especially the Kroger brand
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs

How do you make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders?

• Season chicken breasts with salt & pepper
• Cut chicken breasts into small thin strips. About 3″ x .75″ in size
• Set up two breading trays or shallow bowls – one with buffalo wing sauce and one with panko bread crumbs. Here’s how to customize to your spice level:
  • Mild Buffalo Tenders – use a mild buffalo sauce and regular panko
  • Medium Buffalo Tenders – use a medium buffalo sauce and regular panko
  • Spicy Buffalo Tenders – use a hot buffalo sauce and spicy panko
    • If you can’t find the Spicy Panko – just add chili powder or hot sauce to the regular panko
• Dip chicken in buffalo sauce then coat completely in panko. Pat the panko onto the chicken tenders.
• Lay chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray with non-stick spray or olive oil.
• Air fry at 350º for 6-7 minutes – flipping halfway thru. 
  • Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Repeat cook process with remaining chicken tenders. 
• Cool slightly and serve with Buffalo Ranch. 
  • These would also be great with blue cheese dressing & celery sticks!

How do you store and reheat leftover breaded chicken tenders?

Store leftovers in an airtight container (I like these glass ones) in the refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat in the air fryer at 250º for 5 minutes.

How could I make these low carb?

You could put pork rinds in a food processor to use instead of the panko breadcrumbs.

Are Panko bread crumbs gluten-free?

You’ll need to check the label to see – some are and some aren’t. Always check ingredients if you have any dietary issues.

Are these chicken tenders dairy-free?

You’ll have to check the ingredients on the wing sauce or hot sauce you use. I use Kroger Mild Wing Sauce and it does have eggs.

What to serve with Buffalo Chicken Strips

• Buffalo Ranch Dressing
• Chicken Salad Chick Broccoli Salad
• Chick fil-A Kale Crunch Salad
• Air Fryer Carrot Fries
• No Cook Refrigerator Pickles
• 30+ great side dishes

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

• Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings
• Chicken Parmesan in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Chicken Cordon Bleu

Buffalo Chicken Recipes

• Hooter’s Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
• Crispy Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

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