Chicken tenders are good. Honey mustard is very good. This recipe for air-fried Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce is great. Although it feels indulgent, I don’t feel at all guilty about the mayo in the sauce, because you use so little oil “frying” the tenders. The chicken is breaded with breadcrumbs made from my sourdough bread, so we’re side-stepping using manufactured food as well. My process for breadcrumbs is included on my Methods and Pantry Notes page, by the way.

I do tend to proselytize about appliances that make my life easier, and the air fryer is one. I’ve been using it long enough to know that it’s not just a novelty in my kitchen; it’s a work horse, especially in the summer. Roasted vegetables, baked potatoes, and even toast. As long as you get one that has a big enough basket that you don’t have to cook multiple batches, you’re golden. If you’re interested, head over to my Air Fryer Times page for cook times and temps.

Please try to make the honey mustard sauce in advance, because it gets better as the ingredients meld. I typically make a double batch because any left-over sauce is great as a dipping sauce for apple slices. It’s also fantastic for drizzling over roasted vegetables or even tossing a salad.

For the chicken tenders, I start with two boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I would have included a picture, but they just looked so naked! Two breasts results in enough tenders to fill my air-fryer basket. We rarely have left-overs, so this recipe for air-fried Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce is just right for a family of two. Your guests won’t know what they’re missing, unless you tell them. But you might not be able to keep it to yourself!

Print Recipe

Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce

Servings: 2

Ingredients

Honey Mustard Sauce

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 2 T honey
• 2 T prepared yellow mustard
• 1 T Dijon mustard
• 1/2 T lemon juice

Chicken Tenders

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup sourdough breadcrumbs
• 2 large eggs
• salt and pepper
• olive oil spray

Instructions

Honey Mustard Sauce (make ahead)

• Prepare the sauce – Add the mayo, honey, mustards, and lemon juice to a bowl, and whisk until smooth and creamy.
• Cover and chill – cover and chill in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.

Chicken Tenders

• Slice the chicken breasts into tenders – Slice your breasts into three or four pieces and chop the larger slices in half so that they're easier to handle. Season generously with salt and pepper.
  
• Season and bread the tenders – Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl, and vigorously beat them until they're loose and foamy. Pour the breadcrumbs into another shallow bowl. Working with tongs, move all of the tenders to the bowl with the egg and turn each tender to coat. One tender at a time, lift them out of the egg mixture and roll them in the breadcrumbs so that they're completely coated.
• Air-fry the tenders – Preheat the air fryer to 400℉. While the air fryer is coming to temp, spray the tenders with oil oil. Place them oil-side down in a single layer in your air fryer, then spray the top side with olive oil as well. Cook the tenders 6 minutes per side until the chicken is crispy and golden.
• Serve – Serve immediately, with Honey Mustard Sauce for dipping.