These Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Strips are golden, crispy, and just the right amount of seasoned. You can freeze them and use them for busy weeknights, easy lunches, or last-minute dinners. Here are steps for making perfectly crispy chicken strips and air-frying them. There are also steps for freezing them so you always have them on hand.
I’m not sure about you, but my kids LOVE all things crispy chicken! They love chicken fingers, chicken strips, chicken nuggets, chicken sandwiches, you name it! However, as delicious as those fast food chicken nuggets might be, they aren’t the most nutritious, or cost effective. Sometimes we like frozen chicken nuggets, but I like to make air-fried chicken strips when I have the time.
If your kids are obsessed with chicken tenders too, they will love air fried chicken strips! Even my picky eater can’t get enough!
Homemade chicken strips are a total lifesaver. Pop them in the air fryer and boom—crispy-on-the-outside, juicy-on-the-inside perfection with zero deep frying and no drive-thru required.
Let me show you how to make a big batch and stash them in your freezer—you’ll thank yourself later!
Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!
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Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy way to fry foods with little to no oil. One of the most popular air fryer recipes is crispy chicken strips! Air fried chicken strips are crunchy on the outside while remaining juicy on the inside.
It’s easy and quick to cook chicken strips in an air fryer, and the chicken always comes out crispy and tasty. Find out how to make the best air fryer chicken strips in this article. We’ll cover everything from picking the right chicken to coating and cooking it.
Benefits of Cooking Chicken Strips in an Air Fryer
When making chicken strips, using an air fryer instead of a regular fryer has a number of benefits, including:
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Uses little to no oil Air frying uses rapid air circulation rather than oil to crisp up foods resulting in chicken strips that are much lower in fat and calories compared to deep frying. This makes air fried chicken a healthier option.
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Quick cooking time: Chicken strips cook up fast in an air fryer, usually in 10-15 minutes. This makes air frying much faster than baking.
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Crispy exterior: The high heat and air circulation of an air fryer creates a crispy, crunchy coating on the outside of the chicken.
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Tender and juicy interior: Since air fryers cook food very quickly, the inside of the chicken stays nice and moist while the outside gets crispy.
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Easy cleanup: With little to no oil used, cleanup of an air fryer is a breeze compared to deep frying.
How to Choose Chicken for Air Fryer Strips
It makes a big difference what kind of chicken you use when you make air-fried chicken strips:
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Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a popular choice. Slice breasts against the grain into even strips.
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Chicken tenders: Tenderloins of chicken are already the right size and shape. They cook up extra crispy in the air fryer.
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Chicken thighs: Deboned chicken thighs with skin removed also work well, providing juicy, tender strips.
For the best results, choose fresh, high-quality chicken. Chicken that is evenly sized and cut will cook most evenly. Pat chicken strips dry before coating to help the coating stick.
Air Fryer Chicken Strip Coating
A crispy coating is key for air fryer chicken strips. Here are some easy coating ideas:
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Breadcrumbs: Panko or Italian-style breadcrumbs provide crunch. Dip chicken in egg then breadcrumbs.
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Cracker crumbs: Crushed crackers like saltines or Ritz give a salty, crispy coating.
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Flavored chips: Crush potato or tortilla chips for a flavored crunch coating.
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Flour: For a simple crisp coating, dredge strips in flour before air frying.
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Cornstarch: Another basic option that crisps up nicely. Dip chicken in egg then cornstarch.
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Spices and herbs: Sprinkle extra flavor over any coating with spices like paprika, garlic powder, or dried herbs.
Brine chicken in buttermilk or seasoned salt water before coating for extra moist, flavorful meat. Let coated strips sit 5-10 minutes before air frying so coating adheres.
How to Cook Chicken Strips in an Air Fryer
Cooking chicken strips in an air fryer is really quick and easy:
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Preheat air fryer at 370-400°F to ensure it’s fully heated when chicken goes in.
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Brush with oil if not pre-coated to help chicken brown. Use oil mister for even coating.
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Cook in single layer without overcrowding for crispiest results. Work in batches to avoid steaming.
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Flip strips halfway through cook time to ensure even browning.
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Adjust time as needed based on thickness of chicken. Thinner strips take less time.
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Check for doneness by cutting to ensure chicken is cooked through.
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Let rest 1-2 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Air fried chicken strips are best eaten right away for ultimate crispness. Keep in a warm oven if needing to hold for serving.
Tips for the Best Air Fried Chicken Strips
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Pat chicken dry so the coating sticks better. Wet chicken won’t crisp as well.
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Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. Chicken should reach 165°F.
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For crunchier strips, let coated raw chicken rest in the fridge for 10-20 minutes before air frying.
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Spray strips with oil halfway through cooking for extra crispiness.
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Cut slits in whole chicken breasts before slicing to help them cook evenly.
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Toss cooked strips with extra seasoning or sauce to boost flavor.
Air Fryer Chicken Marinades and Sauces
Marinating or tossing air fried chicken strips with sauce adds lots of flavor:
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Buttermilk – Soak strips in seasoned buttermilk before breading and air frying.
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Ranch – A ranch marinade gives great flavor. Also delicious as a dipping sauce.
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Buffalo Sauce – For spicy strips, toss cooked chicken in cayenne hot sauce.
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BBQ Sauce – Brush strips with bbq sauce last 2-3 minutes of cooking.
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Honey Mustard – Whisk together honey, mustard, and spices for drizzling.
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Teriyaki – Marinate or glaze chicken in sweet teriyaki sauce.
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Jerk Seasoning – Rub chicken with Caribbean jerk seasoning before air frying.
Best Air Fried Chicken Strip Recipes
Here are some must-try air fryer chicken strip recipes:
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Crispy Panko Chicken Strips – Chicken dipped in egg then panko breadcrumbs.
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Cracker Chicken Strips – Saltine cracker crumb coating with ranch seasoning.
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Chipotle Chicken Strips – Smoky chipotle seasoning in the breading.
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Buffalo Chicken Strips – Tossed in spicy hot sauce after cooking.
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Honey Sriracha Chicken Strips – Sriracha sauce and honey glaze.
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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Strips – Fried in garlic butter then tossed with parmesan.
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Ranch Chicken Strips – Buttermilk ranch marinade on the chicken.
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Lemon Pepper Chicken Strips – Zesty lemon pepper breading.
So get cooking and enjoy hassle-free, healthy air fryer chicken strips! With crispy coatings and juicy meat, this easy air fryer recipe will become a new go-to.
➡️Bake from Frozen (raw):
Follow these steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place parchment paper or a little oil on a baking sheet and set it aside.
- Line up the frozen chicken strips so that they are all in one layer. Leave space between each one.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
❄️Freezing Cooked Chicken Strips:
Bread the chicken strips:
Set up a dredging station with 3 shallow bowls
- In the first bowl, mix the flour with the salt, pepper, and paprika.
- In a second bowl, beat the eggs and a little milk together with a whisk.
- This is the third bowl. Add the Italian-seasoned panko breadcrumbs to make it crunchy.
Coat the chicken: Dip each strip into the flour, then the egg mixture, and finally the panko breadcrumbs, making sure each piece is well coated.
Cook the chicken:
- Air fry at 375°F for 16 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Oven bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18-22 minutes
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
FAQ
How long does it take for chicken strips to cook in an air fryer?
Cook in the preheated air fryer for 8 minutes. Flip chicken over and lightly mist the tops with more cooking spray. Put an instant-read thermometer in the middle of the chicken and keep cooking for another 7 to 8 minutes, or until the thermometer reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Repeat with any remaining chicken tenders.