Air Fryer Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders

These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are so juicy and tender, and come together so easy! They’re tossed in a smoky honey chipotle sauce that strikes the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Enjoy them in a salad, a sandwich, or on their own!

Why I Love These Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders

I don’t know if you’re familiar with Chili’s honey chipotle chicken crispers, but they have this famous honey-chipotle sauce that is seriously addictive. Since going to Chili’s regularly isn’t the healthiest option, I decided to create my own version so I could control every ingredient.

These honey chipotle chicken tenders pack big flavor while keeping things simple. Made in the air fryer, there’s no deep frying required – which makes them even better for you! I love making these for game day gatherings, but they’re easy enough to make to have them for lunch in a salad, wrap, a side of French fries… the list goes on.

Ingredients

• Chicken tenderloins: Perfectly sized for air frying and absorbing all the delicious flavors.
• Chipotle peppers in adobo: These bring the signature smoky heat and a touch of tang.
• Adobo sauce: This flavorful liquid from the chipotle adds depth to your marinade.
• Honey: Provides sweetness to balance the heat and helps create that irresistible glaze. A little extra for drizzling at the end too!
• Lime juice: Brightens all the flavors and adds a zesty kick.
• Olive oil: Helps give the chicken that crispy texture and ensures even cooking.
• Spice blend: A classic mix of garlic powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper to build a robust flavor foundation.

How to Make Air Fryer Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders

Step 1: Make the Marinade

Grab a small bowl and whisk together your chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, honey, lime juice, olive oil, and all the spices until everything’s smooth and blended.

Step 2: Marinate the Chicken

Now, add your chicken tenders to a large bowl and pour the marinade over them. Give it a good toss to ensure every piece is evenly coated. For maximum flavor, marinate for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.

Step 3: Air Fry

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes.

Once it’s hot, lightly oil the basket. Arrange your marinated chicken tenders in a single layer – don’t overcrowd them! You might need to do this in batches.

Now, air-fry the chicken at 400°F for 9-11 minutes, flipping it halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 4: Serve

Dish ’em up hot, drizzled with a little extra honey if desired. Enjoy!

Ways to Enjoy These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

These chicken tendies are delicious on their own, especially when dipped in ranch dressing! For sides, try something creamy and refreshing to balance the bold, spicy flavors, like my BLT Pasta Salad, Macaroni Pasta Salad, or Cowboy Caviar Pasta Salad. 

Prefer a classic option? You can’t go wrong with this Stovetop Mac & Cheese. For a lighter side, check out my Oven-Roasted Garlic Parmesan Broccoli or Air Fryer Asparagus.

Storage & Reheating

Store these leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days. 

To reheat, you can either microwave them for a quick and easy option or reheat them in the oven for a crispier texture. Just place the chicken tenders on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.

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