Amazing air fryer lemon pepper chicken tenders 35 min

Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders: Your New Weeknight Favorite

If you are tired of boring dinners, let me introduce you to the absolute best air fryer lemon pepper chicken tenders you will ever make. Seriously, these are game-changers!

I’m Anna, and I’m just a passionate food lover sharing simple, flavorful chicken recipes to make everyday cooking easier and more joyful for you. I’ve spent years figuring out how to get that restaurant-quality crunch without heating up the entire kitchen, and these tenders are the result of that quest.

They are crispy, they are zesty from all that fresh lemon, and they come together faster than ordering takeout. You get that wonderful texture from the panko coating, followed by the bright punch of a tangy lemon butter glaze. Trust me, these quick, flavorful chicken tenders are about to become your go-to meal for any busy weeknight. They just work!

Why You Will Love These Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

Honestly, these tenders check every box a busy cook like me needs. They are packed with flavor, they come out perfectly golden, and they don’t leave you scrubbing greasy pans for an hour. I love how simple they are!

• They are lightning fast—ready in about 35 minutes total!
• The crunch factor is off the charts thanks to the panko.
• That bright lemon pepper punch cuts through the richness beautifully.
• They feel indulgent but are much healthier than deep-fried versions.

Quick Prep and Cook Times

When I say quick, I mean it. We are looking at about 15 minutes of prep and just 20 minutes in the air fryer. That means you can have these delicious, crispy tenders on the table in under 35 minutes flat. Perfect for those evenings when dinner needs to happen *now*.

Superior Crispy Texture

This is where the magic happens. We use panko breadcrumbs, which are naturally lighter and flakier than regular breading. When they hit that hot air, they puff up into the most incredible, shatteringly crisp coating. It’s all the crunch without the oil mess!

Essential Ingredients for Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

Getting the best results starts with having the right things ready to go. For four servings of these amazing tenders, you don’t need a huge grocery list, but the quality of a few items really shines through, especially that lemon flavor. I always lay everything out before I start dredging—it saves so much headache!

We need about 1 and 1/4 pounds of chicken tenderloins. Make sure you pat them completely dry before you do anything else; that’s crucial for a good crust!

Component	Amount	Notes
Chicken Tenders	1 ¼ pounds	Patted dry
Olive Oil Spray	As needed	For the air fryer basket
Fresh Parsley	1 tablespoon	Chopped, for garnish

Dry Ingredients and Coating Components

This is the backbone of our crunch! You’ll need half a cup of all-purpose flour to start the dredging process, followed by two beaten eggs to act as the glue. For the actual coating, we use a generous cup and a half of panko breadcrumbs. Don’t forget the initial seasoning: 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning, plus half a teaspoon each of salt and black pepper to season the chicken itself before it gets breaded.

The Tangy Lemon Butter Glaze

This sauce is what takes these from good to absolutely unforgettable. You’ll need a quarter cup of melted unsalted butter. For that bright, zesty punch, use 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon zest—don’t skip the zest, that’s where the real aroma comes from! I also mix in 2 tablespoons of honey for a little sweetness to balance the tartness, another teaspoon of lemon pepper seasoning, and a tiny splash of hot sauce if you like a little kick. A final pinch of salt helps everything pop.

Necessary Equipment for Perfect Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

You don’t need a million gadgets for this recipe, thankfully! The main star, of course, is your air fryer. Make sure it’s clean and ready to go. You’ll also need three shallow dishes for the dredging station—I just use pie plates.

• Air Fryer
• Three shallow dishes for coating
• Small bowl for mixing the sauce
• Whisk or fork
• Tongs for flipping

Step-by-Step Instructions for Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

Okay, let’s get cooking! Following these steps carefully will ensure you get those perfect, crispy air fryer lemon pepper chicken tenders every single time. I always preheat my air fryer to 400°F while I’m setting up my dredging station—it saves precious minutes later!

Preparing and Seasoning the Chicken

First things first: chicken safety! Take your tenderloins and pat them down with paper towels until they are totally dry. This step is non-negotiable if you want a crust that sticks! Once they are dry, toss them in a bowl with 1 tablespoon of lemon pepper seasoning, half a teaspoon of salt, and the black pepper. Give them a good mix so they are evenly coated with the initial spices.

Building Your Breading Station

Now, set up your assembly line. You need three dishes lined up. Dish one gets your half cup of flour. Dish two gets your two beaten eggs. And dish three gets all that lovely panko breadcrumbs. Pick up a seasoned tender, dust it thoroughly in the flour, shaking off the excess. Then, dip it completely into the egg wash. Finally, press it firmly into the panko. I mean really press it! You want those crumbs to adhere well, so give it a gentle pat before placing it on a clean plate.

Air Frying Technique for Maximum Crispness

Spray your air fryer basket lightly with oil spray. Arrange the breaded tenders in a single layer; do not overlap them, or they will steam instead of crisping up! If you have too many, you absolutely must cook in batches—it’s worth the extra time. Lightly spray the tops of the raw tenders with more oil spray.

Air fry at 400°F for 6 to 7 minutes. Carefully pull the basket out, flip each tender over, and spray the other side lightly. Cook for another 6 to 7 minutes. You must check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer; they need to hit 165°F (74°C) to be safe. They should look beautifully golden brown when done!

Creating and Applying the Lemon Butter Sauce

While the tenders are finishing up, whisk together all your sauce ingredients in a small bowl: the melted butter, honey, fresh lemon juice and zest, the extra teaspoon of lemon pepper seasoning, and that optional dash of hot sauce. Taste it—add a tiny pinch more salt if it needs it. Once the tenders are cooked, place them in a large bowl. Pour that gorgeous sauce over them and toss gently until every piece is coated. My secret? Let them sit for just two minutes before you serve so the sauce really soaks in, but don’t wait too long!

Tips for Success with Your Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

I’ve made these tenders so many times now that I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make sure they are absolutely perfect every time you try them. It’s mostly about managing moisture and heat, which sounds complicated, but it’s really manageable!

My biggest goal, as always, is keeping that beautiful panko crunch alive, even after we toss them in the sticky sauce. A little bit of planning goes a long way here.

Avoiding Soggy Tenders

This is the most important rule for air frying anything breaded! You absolutely cannot overcrowd the basket. If the tenders are touching or piled up, steam gets trapped, and your crispness turns into sogginess before your eyes. Cook in batches, even if it takes you an extra five minutes. Also, remember that little note about resting them? Letting the cooked tenders sit outside the sauce for just two minutes lets the exterior firm up a touch before it gets glazed. It helps lock in that crunch!

Flavor Adjustments for Your Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

Everyone’s palate is different, right? The recipe gives you a great base, but feel free to tweak the sauce! If you love a serious zing, add another half teaspoon of lemon zest to the butter mixture—it really brightens everything up. If you prefer more heat, don’t be shy with that optional hot sauce; you can easily double it if you like things spicy. And always taste the sauce before you toss! If your lemon pepper seasoning isn’t super salty, you might need that extra pinch of salt I mentioned to make the butter sing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

I get so many questions about these tenders because everyone wants that perfect crispy result! Here are a few things I hear often when people are making their first batch of air fryer lemon pepper chicken tenders.

Can I use frozen chicken for these air fryer lemon pepper chicken tenders?

Oh, please don’t try to bread frozen chicken! It’s a recipe for disaster—the coating will just slide right off the icy surface, and you won’t get that safe, even cooking temperature. You need to thaw the chicken completely first. I usually just pop them in the fridge overnight. Pat them down really well before seasoning, just like the fresh ones, to get rid of any surface moisture.

What is the best way to prevent the panko from falling off?

The secret here is making sure you use all three steps in your dredging station correctly, especially the flour! The flour is the dry base that helps the wet egg stick to the chicken. Then, when you press the panko onto the egg-coated tender, really press it in. Don’t just roll it; give it a firm pat all over so those flakes grab hold. If you do that, they’ll stay put right through the air frying and the tossing!

Storing and Reheating Your Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

Even though these tenders are seriously addictive and usually disappear the night I make them, sometimes you have leftovers! The challenge with any breaded and sauced item is keeping that crunch when you put it away. If you follow my storage advice, you can bring them back to life beautifully the next day.

The key is keeping the sauce from making everything mushy overnight. I learned this the hard way when I tried to save sauce-tossed pieces in a regular container—not great the next morning!

Storing Leftover Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

If you know you have leftovers, try to save a few pieces that didn’t get completely drenched in the sauce, or if you can, keep some extra sauce on the side. Store any leftover tenders in a single layer in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep well for about three days, but honestly, they are best eaten within 24 hours.

Storage Method	Duration	Best Practice
Refrigerator	Up to 3 Days	Airtight container, single layer if possible
Freezer	1 Month	Flash freeze first, then store in freezer bag

Reheating for Crispness

Do not, I repeat, do not try to microwave these! That will just turn your lovely crispy coating into sad, chewy rubber. The best way to reheat these is back in the air fryer. Set the temperature to about 375°F (190°C) and cook for about 4 to 6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. This blasts the moisture out and brings back that satisfying crunch you loved the first time around. If you want to add a touch more zest after reheating, toss them with a tiny squeeze of fresh lemon juice!

Serving Suggestions for Your Zesty Chicken Tenders

These zesty lemon pepper tenders are bright and punchy, so they pair wonderfully with lighter, cooler sides. You want something fresh to balance out that savory crunch, you know?

I usually serve these up with a big, cool cucumber and dill salad—the herbs just match the lemon flavor so perfectly. Another winner is simple roasted asparagus tossed with a little olive oil and salt. If you need something heartier, creamy mashed potatoes are fantastic for soaking up any extra lemon butter sauce that drips off!

Share Your Experience Making Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders

I truly hope you loved making these as much as I love sharing them with you! These air fryer lemon pepper chicken tenders are proof that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to make something that tastes amazing and feels special. They are my go-to when I need a quick, flavorful win!

Now, I want to hear all about it! Did you try the hot sauce in the glaze? Did your family devour them as fast as mine does? Please leave a comment below and let me know how they turned out for you. Don’t forget to give the recipe a rating if you loved that crispy, zesty bite. Happy cooking, friends! You can also see more of my favorite recipes on Pinterest.

Print