Air Fryer Chicken Strips (Print Version)

Enjoy crispy, juicy chicken fingers with a golden crunch, prepared with minimal oil in an air fryer. A quick and easy healthier option.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

→ Breading

02 - 3/4 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
03 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
04 - 1 tsp paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Wet Mix

09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 2 tbsp low-fat milk

→ For Air Frying

11 - Olive oil spray

# Steps:

01 - Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 minutes.
02 - Pat chicken strips dry with paper towels to ensure breading adheres properly.
03 - Whisk eggs and milk in a shallow bowl until well combined.
04 - Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl.
05 - Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Arrange coated strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray both sides with olive oil.
07 - Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that satisfying crunch without the greasy fingers or lingering oil smell in your kitchen
  • The whole wheat breadcrumbs and minimal oil mean you can actually feel good about seconds
  • These reheat beautifully for tomorrow's lunch, if they last that long
02 -
  • Never skip the paper towel drying step, moisture is exactly what makes breading slide off during cooking
  • Let the coated strips sit for about 5 minutes before air frying, this drying time helps the breadcrumbs actually stick instead of falling off
03 -
  • Pulse your breadcrumbs in a food processor if they're too coarse, finer crumbs stick better and create more surface area for crispiness
  • Spraying the chicken instead of the basket prevents oil buildup that can create smoke and set off your smoke detector
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