Air Fryer Chicken Strips (Printer-friendly)

Golden crispy chicken strips with a juicy center, perfectly cooked in the air fryer with minimal oil.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 Steps:

01 - Set air fryer to 400°F and preheat 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.
04 - In another bowl, combine 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 coating adheres.
06 - Place 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, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Remove from air fryer and serve hot with your preferred dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Crispy golden coating without standing over a pan of bubbling oil or cleaning up the mess afterward
  • High protein and lower in fat, so you can enjoy comfort food without the afternoon slump
  • Ready in under 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy evenings when you need real food fast
  • Kids and adults both reach for seconds, making it a reliable crowd pleaser every single time
02 -
  • Don't skip drying the chicken, even a little moisture will prevent the breading from sticking properly and you'll end up with bare patches.
  • Flip the strips gently with tongs at the halfway mark, using a fork can pierce the coating and let the juices escape.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking at 10 minutes to avoid overcooking and drying out the chicken.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness instead of cutting into the chicken and losing those precious juices
  • Let the cooked strips rest on a wire rack for a minute instead of a plate so the bottoms stay crispy
  • If you're cooking a double batch, work in batches rather than crowding the basket, airflow is everything for even crisping
Return