Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders are the perfect option when you want buffalo chicken tenders without flour or breading. Make these in less than 30 minutes with chicken, pantry spices, and a quick homemade buffalo sauce.
Servings: 5
Calories: 202kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.25 lbs Chicken Tenders chicken breast tenderloins, or chicken breasts cut into strips, remove the tendons (0:26-1:10 for a video tutorial)
- 1/4 tsp Natural Ancient Sea Salt optional
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 2 tbsp Avocado oil
Buffalo Sauce
- 1/3 cup Franks Red Hot Wing Sauce
- 1 tbsp Butter unsalted
Instructions
- Mix the spices together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and remove the tendons.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400℉ for 5 minutes.
- Season the chicken: Add the chicken breast tenderloins to a large mixing bowl with the spices and oil. Toss to coat the chicken evenly.
- Place the seasoned chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 400℉ for 10-12 minutes to cook them through.
- Make the buffalo sauce: Melt the butter and mix it with the hot sauce to make the buffalo sauce.
- Add the cooked chicken to a bowl and pour on the sauce.
- Toss the cooked chicken in the sauce & allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Then, serve. Leftover sauce can be served with the chicken in a dipping cup.
Notes
- Remove the tendons: they stay tough and chewy even after cooking, so taking them out ensures every bite is tender.
- Give the chicken space: avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cooking in a single layer (or in batches) helps the tenders brown evenly. If I'm in a rush and want to skip this step, I just rotate my chicken more often.
- Coat while hot: toss the chicken in the buffalo sauce as soon as it comes out of the fryer so it clings beautifully.
- Skillet option: if you prefer, you can cook the seasoned chicken through in a skillet and still get the same juicy, saucy results.
Nutrition
Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 79mg | Sodium: 757mg | Potassium: 433mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.05g | Vitamin A: 204IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg
