Hot Lemon Pepper Ranch Air Fried Chicken Tenders
Buttery, tangy chicken tenders with a kick of heat and lots of herby flavor. These air fried chicken tenders are glazed as they cook for ultimate juiciness.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
Chicken Tenders
- 2 lbs chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 tablespoon powdered ranch seasoning
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons cayenne
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspooon each: salt and pepper
Hot Lemon Pepper Ranch Glaze
- 1/2 stick butter 4 tablespoons
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons powdered ranch seasoning like Hidden Valley
- 2 tablespoons lemon pepper seasoning
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
Instructions
Prep Chicken & Glaze
- Place chicken tenders into a bowl with olive oil and seasonings. Mix well so they are evenly combined. Set aside while preparing the glaze.
- In a medium bowl, add butter and honey. Heat for 30-40 seconds or until butter is mostly melted. Whisk in the seasonings, taste and adjust to your preference.
- Separate sauce into two bowls - one for basting the raw/partial-cooked chicken. The other bowl for basting the cooked chicken to prevent cross-contamination.
Cook & Glaze Chicken
- Heat an air fryer to 400 degrees. Load the tenders into the air fryer basket (in batches if necessary). Use a basting brush to spread the tenders with the glaze. Cook for 4 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Flip the tenders, baste again with sauce and return to cook for 5 minutes.
- Use a clean basting brush and clean sauce to baste one final time. Turn the air fryer to broil (450 degrees) and cook for a final 4-5 minutes. Once the tenders are cooked through, plate them and hit them with one additional pass of the glaze. Enjoy!
Notes
Notes
Oven Preparation:Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place chicken tenders on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil and cook for 15-18 minutes (or until internal temp reaches 165 degrees), flipping half way through and basting with the glaze a few times throughout the baking process. Switch the oven to broil and cook an additional 2 minutes so get the tops slightly charred. Remove from the oven and baste it one last time with the sauce and enjoy!
Grill Preparation: Preheat your grill to medium-high. Place the prepared tenders over direct heat and cook each side for 5-6 minutes each, basting with glaze throughout the cooking process. Remove from the grill and baste it one last time with the buttery glaze and enjoy.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcal