Description
Succulent cowboy butter chicken tenders bring Texas ranch flair to classic comfort food. Zesty herb-infused butter and crispy coating create an irresistible meal that will make you crave another bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) chicken tenderloins
Coating Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk
- 3 cups cornflakes, crushed into coarse crumbs
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning (Cajun, Kickn Chicken, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Butter Sauce Ingredients:
- 1 stick (1/2 cup or 113 grams) butter, mostly melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 lemon, zested + 1 tablespoon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne or red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon chives or green onions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil or avocado oil spray (aerosol spray is ideal)
Instructions
- Pulverize cornflakes into rough fragments within a robust sealable bag using a rolling mechanism or meat tenderizer.
- Establish three distinct shallow receptacles: first with seasoned flour and spices, second with whisked egg and dairy blend, third with crushed cornflake fragments.
- Transform each chicken tender by thoroughly dusting with seasoned flour, eliminating excess powder.
- Submerge floured tender completely into egg mixture, ensuring comprehensive liquid coverage.
- Delicately press tender into cornflake crumbs, guaranteeing comprehensive exterior coating.
- Arrange tenders strategically within air fryer basket, maintaining adequate spacing for optimal circulation.
- Lightly mist chicken with olive oil spray to enhance crispiness.
- Roast at 400°F, executing a mid-cycle flip after 5 minutes, respritzing with oil, continuing until exterior achieves golden-bronze perfection and interior reaches safe consumption temperature.
- Simultaneously, amalgamate cowboy butter ingredients, calibrating flavor profile through strategic seasoning adjustments.
- Transfer crisp tenders into expansive mixing vessel.
- Cascade cowboy butter sauce across tenders, rotating thoroughly to achieve uniform flavor distribution.
- Present immediately alongside complementary ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce.
Notes
- Crumb Coating Trick: Crush cornflakes finely in a sealed bag to create an extra crispy, crunchy exterior that locks in chicken moisture.
- Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption without overcooking.
- Oil Spray Technique: Lightly mist tenders with olive oil spray to enhance golden browning and prevent dryness in air fryer.
- Diet Adaptation: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals without compromising texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg