Air Fryer Chicken Strips (Print Version)

Golden crispy chicken strips with whole wheat breading, made healthier in the air fryer with minimal oil.

# Components:

→ 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

# Directions:

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 proper adhesion.
06 - Arrange coated strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Lightly spray both sides with olive oil spray.
07 - Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Remove from air fryer and serve hot with your preferred dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that satisfying crunch without the oil splatter or guilt that comes with deep frying.
  • The Parmesan in the breading adds a savory depth that makes these strips crave-worthy enough to forget they're actually good for you.
  • Prep is genuinely quick, so on chaotic weeknights this becomes your secret weapon for a dinner that feels intentional.
02 -
  • Don't skip the drying step, even a little moisture will steam the strips instead of crisping them, and that changes everything about the final texture.
  • The halfway flip is not optional, it ensures both sides get equal time under the heat and brown evenly, which is what separates good from great.
03 -
  • If you want extra insurance against dryness, brine your chicken strips for thirty minutes before breading, this keeps the inside impossibly juicy while the outside gets golden.
  • The secret nobody talks about is that slightly underfilled air fryer baskets brown more evenly, so if you're making a single batch, embrace the space rather than viewing it as wasted capacity.
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