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I first fell for these air fryer chicken strips when I wanted that amazing crunch without drowning them in oil. The buttermilk soak is the true hero—it keeps everything incredibly juicy inside while the exterior turns golden and crisp. These days my children ask for these instead of delivery, claiming they beat their top restaurant pick hands down.
Easy Cooking Wonder
These strips come out flawless every single time, with the buttermilk working its wonders to lock in moisture while the outer coating gets deliciously crispy in the air fryer. My next-door neighbor caught a whiff through our window recently—she now makes them twice weekly, telling me her fussy teens actually want more.
What You'll Need
- The chicken: Grab fresh tenders or slice breast meat into strips—either option works great.
- The marinade: Buttermilk and fresh lemon juice—this combo makes everything super tender.
- Your coating: Plain flour mixed with our custom spice mixture.
- The seasonings: Onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne for those who enjoy spice.
- For serving: Pick your favorite dips: barbecue, honey mustard, ranch.
Let's Start Cooking
- Prep your chicken:
- Combine buttermilk with lemon juice, pepper, and salt. Let those strips soak in this mixture for at least 30 minutes.
- Season your flour:
- During the marinating time, stir all those tasty spices into your flour—this creates an amazing coating.
- Coating time:
- Take each strip from the buttermilk bath, shake off extra liquid, then roll it thoroughly in your spiced flour.
- Into the fryer:
- Place them gently in your already heated air fryer basket, then lightly mist with oil for extra crispiness.
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My Kitchen Secrets
Here's what I've figured out after making these tons of times. Don't rush past the marinade step—it truly makes everything so moist. A quick spray of oil on your coated strips helps them brown more uniformly. Cook in smaller batches if needed—too many pieces at once ruins the crispiness. You can keep your first batch warm in a low-temp oven while finishing the rest.
Perfect Pairings
We enjoy eating these with loads of dipping options—my homemade ranch always goes first. A crunchy slaw makes a great side, or sometimes I'll toss together a green salad to balance things out. When feeding hungry teens, I'll throw in some crispy fries or a side of mac and cheese—making our kitchen feel like their favorite restaurant.
Save Some For Later
These strips stay good in the fridge for about four days, though they usually disappear much faster at our place. When you need to warm them up, just toss them back in the air fryer at 350°F for a few minutes—it brings back that amazing crunch. They're great for quick lunches or when kids need an after-school bite.
Mix It Up
We adore the standard version, but I sometimes play around with different flavors. Throwing some ranch powder into the flour creates a totally new taste. Herbs from an Italian blend work amazingly too. My husband who loves heat adds extra cayenne to his portion, while I keep things mild for the kids. That's the fun part of cooking—tweaking each batch just how you want it.
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Family Favorite
These air fryer chicken strips have turned into our must-have comfort dish. I make them when my kids have buddies over, everyone wants them for movie nights, and they're what brings the whole family rushing to the kitchen asking when food will be ready. It's funny how the basic recipes often turn into the ones creating the best family moments around our table.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap buttermilk for regular milk?
Yes, you can! If you don’t have buttermilk, regular milk works fine. Add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar (1 tablespoon per cup of milk) and let it sit for 5 minutes to mimic buttermilk.
- → How long should I marinate the chicken?
It’s best to marinate the chicken for an hour or let it sit overnight in the fridge. Longer marinating makes the chicken softer and tastier, but avoid going over 24 hours since the acid can break down the meat too much.
- → Can I prep these tenders early?
Sure! Coat and bread the chicken, then refrigerate it for a few hours before cooking. You can also crisp up leftovers in the air fryer for a few minutes if needed.
- → What should I pair with these chicken tenders?
They’re super flexible! Try them with salads, roasted veggies, fries, or even wrapped up in tortillas. They’re great for adding to a balanced meal.
- → What if I don’t have an air fryer?
No problem! Use your oven to bake them. Preheat it to 400°F, place the breaded tenders on a tray, and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway. They won’t be as crisp as air-fried ones but still taste amazing.
Conclusion
These air fryer chicken tenders are crispy yet light, with a buttermilk soak and seasoned coating that’s bursting with flavor. They’re simple to make and great for any meal.