Description
These ultra-crispy, cornflake-battered Cowboy Butter Chicken Tenders are air-fried to perfection and tossed in a rich, garlicky cowboy butter sauce. Made with a blend of lemon, Dijon mustard, and warm spices, these chicken tenders are packed with bold flavors. Perfect for an easy dinner recipe, game-day snack, or quick dinner idea!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken Tenders:
- 2 lb chicken tenderloins
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning (Cajun, Kick’n Chicken, etc.)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk
- 3 cups cornflakes, crushed into coarse crumbs
- Olive oil or avocado oil spray (aerosol spray ideal)
Cowboy Butter:
- 1 stick butter, mostly melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 lemon, zested + 1 tbsp juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne or red pepper flakes
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp chives or green onions, sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
- Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place cornflakes in a ziplock bag, seal, and crush with a rolling pin or meat mallet into coarse crumbs.
- Set up three shallow dishes:
- Dish 1: Mix flour, all-purpose seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Dish 2: Whisk eggs with milk until smooth.
- Dish 3: Add crushed cornflakes.
- Using one hand for dry ingredients and the other for wet, coat each chicken tender in the flour mixture, then the egg wash, and finally the cornflake crumbs, pressing to adhere.
- Place chicken tenders in an air fryer basket in a single layer. Spray evenly with olive oil.
- Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes. Flip, spray again with olive oil, and cook for another 5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
- While the tenders cook, mix all cowboy butter ingredients in a bowl and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Once done, transfer chicken tenders to a large bowl, pour in cowboy butter, and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, cook 1-2 minutes longer.
- Buttermilk adds extra tenderness to the chicken.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, bake at 425°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tender
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg