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buffalo chicken tenders on a white tray.
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Buffalo Chicken Tenders

These Buffalo Chicken Tenders, baked in the oven or air-fried, achieve crispy perfection and are then coated in a homemade buffalo sauce that is creamy and spicy with a hint of sweetness. They’re absolutely irresistible!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword air fryer buffalo chicken tenders, baked buffalo chicken tenders, buffalo chicken strips, buffalo chicken tenders
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 3 to 4 Servings
Calories 557kcal
Author Maria Doss

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 pound chicken tenderloins, patted dry

Batter

Buffalo sauce

Instructions

  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add panko and stir constantly until golden brown. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
  • Add all batter ingredients into a medium bowl and whisk until thoroughly combined. Add all chicken into the batter and toss until thoroughly combined.
  • Working with one chicken tender at a time, remove from the batter, draining excess batter, coat both sides with breadcrumbs and place them on a plate.

To bake in oven

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (210°C) and spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Place prepared chicken tenders, spray the tops with a coating of non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 16 to 17 minutes or until cooked through.

To air fry

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Place prepared chicken tenders into the basket in a single layer without overlapping, spray a coating non-stick cooking spray, and air fry for 10 to 13 minutes or until cooked through.

Make sauce

  • Whisk Franks RedHot sauce, melted butter, sugar or honey and red pepper flakes until combined. Add mayonnaise and whisk until smooth.
    Tip: I find the mayo mixes in more smoothly when added later.
  • Just before serving, coat each tenderloin in the sauce on both sides and serve immediately.
    Pro tip: Toss in sauce just before eating, so it maintains the crisp texture.

Video

Notes

 
Toss just before eating- Wait until the last minute to coat in sauce to maintain the crispness.
Best Buffalo Sauce - The best one to reach for is Frank’s RedHot!

Nutrition

Serving: 4Serving | Calories: 557kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 210mg | Sodium: 3895mg | Potassium: 784mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1213IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 154mg | Iron: 4mg