Craving juicy, flavorful chicken tenders without the mess and guilt of deep-frying? Look no further than the magic of your air fryer! This recipe for Air Fryer Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders takes classic ranch chicken tenders to a whole new level of crispy perfection.
![crispy air fried cheddar Ranch chicken tenders on a serving plate.](https://smellslikedelish.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/af-cheddar-ranch-chicken-tenders-vertical1.jpg)
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Skip the greasy takeout and impress your family and friends with these homemade air fryer chicken tenders.
These tenders are coated in a flavorful blend of seasoned flour, creamy ranch dressing, and a crunchy Panko breadcrumb mixture spiked with cheddar cheese. A quick whirl in the air fryer transforms them into golden-brown beauties that are guaranteed to satisfy your cravings.
- Weeknight Friendly! Perfect for a fun game-day spread, and comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Kid-Approved: These crispy chicken tenders are a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike!
- Less Fat with Zero Frying: The air fryer ensures a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, using minimal oil to achieve that irresistible crispy texture.
- Crispy Perfection: The air fryer delivers a delightful golden brown crust that's guaranteed to satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients You'll Need
Dipped in your favorite ranch dressing, coated in a crispy Panko breadcrumb and shredded Cheddar crust, then cooked to golden perfection in your air fryer, these tenders are guaranteed to become a family favorite.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Flour
- Ranch salad dressing (your favorite brand)
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Ranch Chicken Tenders
You'll create a streamlined assembly line station with the flour mixture, ranch dressing, and the Panko-Cheddar coating. After dipping, set in your air fryer basket and air fry until golden brown and crispy.
Set The Dipping Stations Up
- Prepare the mixing station with three shallow containers that are large enough to dip chicken breast into.
- In the first container, stir together the flour and the seasoning salt.
- In the second container, pour the Ranch salad dressing.
- In the third container, stir the Panko breadcrumbs and the shredded Cheddar cheese together.
Coat The Chicken Tenders
- Roll each chicken tender in the seasoned flour, dip into the ranch dressing on all sides, and then roll in the Panko and cheese mixture.
Place In The Air Fryer Basket
- Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket without crowding. You will have to cook in several batches.
PRO TIP: A piece of parchment paper will prevent shredded cheese falling through the basket and burning.
Air Fry Until Golden Browned And Crispy
- Cook in the air fryer for 15 to 25 minutes (depends on the size of the chicken tenders) or until cooked through, flipping halfway through cook time. Internal temperature with an instant read thermometer should read 160F.
- Remove when cooked and allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
You can also try these delicious variations or substitutions when making these air fried Ranch chicken tenders.
- Slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts for thinner tender option.
- Substitute crushed crackers or crushed cornflakes for the Panko breadcrumbs.
- Substitute grated Pepper Jack or Monterey Jack for the cheddar cheese.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mixture for a touch of heat.
Tips for Success
Here are a few tips for making this recipe:
- Don't overcrowd the basket. Ensure there's enough space between the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket for optimal air circulation and crispy results.
- Don't forget to pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels before marinating to ensure the coating adheres properly.
- Cooking time can vary depending on the thickness of your chicken tenders. Keep an eye on them and adjust cooking time slightly as needed.
Serving Suggestions
Pair your air fryer cheddar ranch chicken tenders with a variety of dipping sauces like ranch dressing, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or buffalo sauce. Serve them alongside french fries, onion rings, or a side salad for a complete meal.
Related Recipes
- Strawberry Poppyseed Salad (Panera)
- Air Fryer Lamb Chops
- Tropical Fruit Salad
- Roasted Rainbow Carrots
- Lipton Onion Soup Meatloaf
Equipment
Equipment can have a big impact on how a recipe turns out. Below are some of my favorite pieces of equipment that I use when making this dish.
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- Nuwave Brio Air Fryer - Rotisserie - Grill - This 15 quart countertop Smart Oven has three slide in trays, that all can be used at the same time. You can air fry rotisserie chickens, an SO mush more!
- Gourmia Digital Air Fryer 6 quart - This basket style air fryer will handle four frozen waffles in the air fryer.
- Ninja Foodie Pro Air Fryer - Folds up out of the way on your counter.
- Oil Sprayer - This is a perfect sprayer for spritzing a light coating of oil on vegetables, meats, and other prepared frozen foods before air frying. The tiny amount of oil ensures you get as amazing results as deep frying and roasting, with a fraction of the calories and splatter!
Storage Options
- Leftover air fryer chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes to restore crispness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen, raw chicken tenders in this recipe. However, be sure to thaw them completely before marinating and breading. Adjust the cooking time slightly as needed, depending on the thickness of the tenders.
For tender, juicy chicken tenders, remove when the internal temperature reaches 160°F, as they will continue to rise in temperature while resting. The internal temperature of the chicken tenders should reach 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the thickest part of the tender.
No, the TINY space of this rapid convection oven appliance heats up so quickly that preheating is simply wasting energy.
Ranch dressing, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or any of your favorite dipping sauces would pair well with these chicken tenders.
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Air Fryer Cheddar Ranch Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 6 teaspoons seasoning salt
- 1 cup Ranch dressing
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ cup Cheddar cheese shredded
- 2.5 pounds chicken tenders boneless, skinless
Instructions
- Prepare a mixing station with three shallow containers. In the first container, stir together the flour and seasoning salt. In the second container, place the ranch dressing. In the last container, stir together the panko and cheese.6 tablespoons all purpose flour, 6 teaspoons seasoning salt, 1 cup Ranch dressing, 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs, 1 ½ cup Cheddar cheese
- Roll each chicken tender in the flour, ranch dressing, and then the panko mixture.2.5 pounds chicken tenders
- Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket or tray without crowding. Cooking the chicken in batches will be necessary.
- Set the air fryer temperature to 325℉ (no need to preheat). Cook for 15 to 25 minutes or until cooked through, flipping halfway
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