Air Fryer Chicken Strips (Print version)

Golden, crispy chicken strips with a juicy center, made healthier using an 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 tsp paprika
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Wet Mix

09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 2 tbsp 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.
03 - In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs and milk together.
04 - In another bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan, 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 adhere.
06 - Arrange coated strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket and 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 Tips:

01 -
  • You get that deep-fried crunch without the guilt or the mess of hot oil splattering everywhere.
  • These cook so fast that you can have dinner ready before the kids finish setting the table.
  • The Parmesan in the breading adds a savory depth that makes every bite feel indulgent.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully in the air fryer, staying crispy instead of turning soggy like microwaved chicken.
02 -
  • If you overcrowd the basket, the strips will steam instead of crisp, so cook them in batches if you need to.
  • Don't skip the oil spray, even though it feels like cheating in a healthy recipe, because it's what makes the breading turn that gorgeous golden color.
  • Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before breading so it cooks more evenly and doesn't stay cold in the center.
03 -
  • Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken firmly with your palms so they really stick, and you'll lose less coating during cooking.
  • If your air fryer runs hot, start checking the strips at 10 minutes to avoid overcooking and drying out the chicken.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness instead of cutting into the strips, because once you slice them open, all the juices run out and they get dry.
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