Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Tenders with Yogurt BBQ Sauce

Name: Air Fryer Spicy Chicken Tenders With BBQ Yogurt Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 1 pound chicken tenders; 1 egg (beaten); 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder; 2 teaspoons oregano; 1/2 teaspoon thyme; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 3 tablespoons bbq sauce; 1/2 cup Greek yogurt

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Spicy chicken tenders, a twist on traditional chicken tenders, are coated in a cayenne spiced bread crumb mix, and air fried

Air fryer spicy chicken tenders are a great choice when you are in the mood for some spice. Chicken tenders are coated in a spicy breading, which gives them a kick, and the accompanying BBQ yogurt sauce provides a refreshing and tangy complement.

a close up picture of chicken tenders on a plate with dipping sauce

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These chicken tenders are crispy and delicious and perfect for an easy dinner or appetizer. They are air fried too which makes clean up easy!

If you like spicy food, try these air fryer buffalo chicken tenders too!

Why you will love this air fryer chicken tenders recipe

Unlike deep frying, an air fryer uses less oil, making it a healthier fried chicken recipe.
It’s a family-friendly dinner made with simple ingredients that everyone will love.
It’s customizable; adjust the amount of heat to your taste.

The ingredients for the recipe yogurt,bbq sauce, egg, chicken, thyme, oregano, paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder bread crumbs, garlic powder

Here is what you will need

This is a brief summary of the ingredients needed to make this air fryer chicken tenders recipe and a convenient shopping list from my Instacart affiliate link. For a printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions, scroll down to the recipe card section.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients

Panko breadcrumbs
Egg
Chicken tenderloins
Oregano
Thyme
Paprika
Cayenne pepper
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Plain Greek yogurt
BBQ Sauce

🥄Equipment

Air Fryer

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How to make homemade chicken tenders in the air fryer

Prepare the ingredients: Measure the different spices and breadcrumbs, whisk the egg in a shallow bowl, and preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees f.

Mix the barbecue sauce and yogurt together to make the dipping sauce.

a picture of bread crumbs on a white plate with a wooden spoon

Step 1. Mix the spices and the breadcrumbs on a plate.

Step 2. Dip each raw chicken tender into the egg mixture

a picture of chicken tenders dipping into egg

chicken tender on a plate covered with breadcrumbs

Step 3. Next, dip the egg-coated chicken tenders into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring they are completely covered in crumbs.

Step 4. Place the breaded chicken onto an air fryer tray or basket in a single layer and air fry for 12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

a picture of chicken tenders on an air fryer tray

Cooking time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer. Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken is fully cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees f.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The complete list of ingredients to make this easy recipe is above. Below are notes about some of the ingredients, along with ideas for substitutes.

Panko bread crumbs -I prefer using unseasoned panko for air frying because of their coarse texture and crispy results. Regular breadcrumbs can be used as a substitute or gluten-free breadcrumbs can be used for a gluten-free version.

Chicken tenders – These are the perfect size for making this recipe. If they aren’t available, you can also boneless, skinless chicken breast and cut them into chicken strips.

Greek yogurt – Look for plain Greek yogurt that is not sweetened or flavored. Greek yogurt can be replaced with plain yogurt or Icelandic yogurt.

Barbecue sauce – Any type of BBQ sauce will work. If you want to try making your own barbecue sauce, here is my recipe for sweet and spicy beer bbq sauce.

Baked chicken tenders on a baking sheeet.

How to store crispy chicken tenders

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Enjoy leftovers cold or reheated and tossed in a salad, wrap or sandwich.

You can also freeze leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container or freezer safe bag for up to three months. Defrost frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight.

Recipe variations

Asian Inspired Spicy Chicken Tenders – For an Asian flair, leave out the oregano and thyme and add 1/4 teaspoon or more to taste of ginger and a teaspoon of soy suace to the egg wash, and dip the tenders in spicy sriracha dipping sauce instead.

Tex-Mex Chicken Tenders – Add a Tex-Mex twist by seasoning the breadcrumbs with chili powder and ground cumin instead of thyme and oregano. Serve them with guacamole or salsa.

Parmesan-crusted spicy chicken tenders – Mix in grated parmesan cheese with breadcrumbs and spices for a cheesy and savory twist. These taste great dipped into marinara sauce.

Serving suggestions

Spicy chicken tenders with BBQ yogurt sauce are great to serve for an appetizer or dinner. You can also change up the sauce and use sriracha dipping sauce or Popeye’s Spicy Mayonnaise. We like to serve them for dinner with a salad, roasted brussels sprouts, or buffalo cauliflower bites.

overherad view of chicken tenders on a plate with sauce

Tips

For the crispiest chicken tenders, don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket which can lead to uneven cooking.
Spray a little bit of olive oil spray or avocado oil cooking spray for extra crispy tenders.
Make sure that the chicken is evenly coated with the breadcrumb mixture before air frying them.

How can I make air fryer chicken tenders in the oven?

These can be made in the oven by placing them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and placed into a 400 degree f oven; bake for 10 minutes, flip and bake until they become crispy.

How can I prevent the coating from becoming soggy after reheating leftovers?

For crispy leftover chicken tenders, it’s best to reheat the chicken in an air fryer or oven instead of the microwave. Place the tenders in the air fryer or oven and heat at 350 degrees until they are heated through and crispy.