Air Fryer Chicken Strips (Printable Version)

Crispy chicken strips with golden breading and juicy center, air fried with minimal oil for a healthier twist.

# 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 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

# Steps:

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, 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 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, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The coating crisps up beautifully without needing a vat of oil, making cleanup a breeze and guilt almost nonexistent.
  • These strips cook so fast you can have dinner on the table before the oven even finishes preheating.
  • The Parmesan adds a savory richness that makes every bite feel special, not like typical frozen fare.
02 -
  • Do not skip the oil spray, I tried it once thinking the egg would be enough, and the coating stayed pale and never crisped up properly.
  • Flip them gently with tongs, grabbing them by the edges, if you stab them with a fork the juices run out and the meat dries out fast.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, check them at 10 minutes, I have burned a batch by walking away for just two extra minutes.
03 -
  • Cut your chicken strips as evenly as possible, uneven pieces mean some will overcook while others stay underdone.
  • Do not overcrowd the basket, give each strip a little breathing room or the steam will soften the coating instead of crisping it.
  • Let the coated strips sit on a wire rack for 5 minutes before air frying, it helps the breading set and stick better during cooking.
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