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cooked chicken tenders on top of a black cooling grate

Air Fryer Gluten-Free Nacho Chicken Tenders

Crispy and flavorful, these Air Fryer Gluten-Free Nacho Chicken Tenders are coated in crushed tortilla chips and air-fried to perfection. Easy to make and ready in under 30 minutes, they’re a delicious option for a quick meal or snack!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 3

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken tenders (or cut chicken breasts into strips)
  • 1 cup gluten-free tortilla chips crushed (feel free to use your favorite brand or even flavored chips for extra zest)
  • ½ cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp milk dairy or non-dairy
  • Cooking spray for air fryer

Instructions
 

  • Crush the Chips: Place the tortilla chips in a large zip-top bag and crush them using a rolling pin until they resemble coarse crumbs. Pour the crushed chips into a shallow dish.
  • Seasoned Flour Mixture: In another shallow dish, mix the gluten-free flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
  • Egg Wash: In a third shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth.
  • Coat in Flour: Dip each chicken tender into the flour mixture, ensuring it's fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
  • Dip in Egg Wash: Next, dip the floured chicken tender into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
  • Coat with Crushed Chips: Press each tender into the crushed tortilla chips, coating evenly on all sides. For extra crunch, gently press the chips into the chicken.
  • Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3-5 minutes.
  • Arrange the Chicken: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer, making sure they don’t overlap. This ensures that they cook evenly and get nice and crispy.
  • Cook: Air fry the tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The tenders should be golden brown and have an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Adjust the cooking time if your tenders are thicker.
  • Mix: In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), salsa, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Stir until smooth.
  • Serve: Serve the chicken tenders hot with the dipping sauce on the side.
Keyword air fryer, chicken, chicken fingers, chicken tenders, gluten free, nacho