Description
Air Fryer Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders deliver authentic spicy flavor with a healthier twist, using air fryer technology to achieve the perfect crispy exterior while keeping the chicken juicy inside, all with 70% less oil than traditional versions.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1.5 pounds chicken tenderloins (or boneless chicken breasts cut into strips)
- 1 cup buttermilk (substitute: 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (adjust to taste preference)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (gluten-free flour works as a substitute)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (creates extra crispiness)
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Olive oil spray for the air fryer
- For the Nashville Hot Sauce:
- ¼ cup cayenne pepper (adjust for heat preference)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons melted butter (or coconut oil for a dairy-free option)
- 1 tablespoon honey (adds balance to the heat)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Mix the buttermilk, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, and ½ teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the chicken tenders, ensuring they’re fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, ideally overnight.
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with 1 tablespoon of water.
- Dredge the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, then dip in the beaten egg, and finally coat again in the flour mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating adheres well. Place the coated tenders on a wire rack and let them rest for 5 minutes.
- Preheat and Prepare Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes. Lightly spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Place chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray. Cook for 5-6 minutes, then flip, spray again lightly, and cook for another 5-6 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Prepare the Nashville Hot Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine all the Nashville hot sauce ingredients in a bowl, stirring until the sugar dissolves and everything is well integrated.
- Apply the Hot Sauce: Using a pastry brush, generously brush the hot sauce mixture over the hot chicken tenders immediately after they come out of the air fryer. For extra heat, you can dip the entire tender in the sauce instead of brushing.
Notes
- Use whole wheat flour or almond flour for a lower-carb, higher-fiber coating
- Substitute Greek yogurt mixed with a splash of milk for buttermilk to increase protein content
- For a gluten-free version, use certified gluten-free flour blend with an additional teaspoon of xanthan gum
- Replace brown sugar with monk fruit sweetener to reduce the overall sugar content
- For a dairy-free option, use coconut oil instead of butter in the hot sauce
- Serve Nashville-style on white bread with pickle chips or create a Nashville hot chicken salad
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months (before applying hot sauce)
- Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes for maximum crispiness
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tenders
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
Keywords: air fryer nashville hot chicken tenders, nashville hot chicken, spicy chicken tenders, healthy fried chicken, crispy chicken tenders