Air Fryer Chicken Strips (Printable Version)

Golden crispy chicken strips with tender juicy centers, cooked to perfection in your air fryer with minimal oil.

# What You'll 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 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Wet Mix

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

→ For Air Frying

11 - Olive oil spray

# How To Make It:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all the crunch and satisfaction of fried chicken without the heavy, greasy aftermath that makes you regret dinner.
  • It cooks so fast that you can have hot, crispy strips on the table before takeout would even arrive.
  • The Parmesan in the breading adds a savory depth that makes every bite feel a little more special than basic chicken fingers.
  • Cleanup is almost nonexistent, no splattered stovetop or pot of used oil to deal with afterward.
02 -
  • Do not skip the oil spray, I tried it once thinking the egg would be enough and the strips came out pale and soft instead of crispy.
  • Flip them gently with tongs instead of a fork so you do not pierce the breading and let all the juices escape.
  • If your air fryer basket is small, cook in batches rather than crowding, overlapping strips will steam instead of crisp.
03 -
  • Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken firmly with your palms, this helps them stick and creates a thicker, crunchier crust.
  • If the breading starts to brown too fast, lower the temperature by 10 degrees and add a minute or two to the cook time.
  • Use chicken breasts that are similar in thickness so all the strips cook evenly, or pound thicker pieces gently to flatten them out.
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