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Air Fryer Chicken Strips - Crispy, Juicy, and Easy

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 22 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 pounds chicken breasts, sliced into 1-inch-wide strips
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup fine breadcrumbs (or crushed cornflakes for extra crunch)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons milk or water
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to finish
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1–2 tablespoons grated Parmesan (optional, for extra savory flavor)
  • Olive oil spray or neutral oil spray
  • Lemon wedges, to serve (optional)
  • Favorite dipping sauces: ranch, honey mustard, barbecue, or hot sauce

Method
 

  1. Prep the chicken: Pat the chicken strips dry with paper towels. Trimming excess moisture helps the coating stick and crisp better.
  2. Set up your dredging station: In one shallow bowl, add flour. In a second, whisk eggs with milk. In a third, combine panko, fine breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, oregano, and Parmesan if using.
  3. Preheat the air fryer: Set it to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes. A hot basket jump-starts browning.
  4. Coat the chicken: Working one strip at a time, coat in flour (shake off excess), dip in egg, then press into the breadcrumb mixture until fully covered. Set on a plate or rack.
  5. Oil lightly: Spray both sides of the coated strips with oil. Don’t skip this step; it’s key to even browning.
  6. Load the basket: Arrange chicken in a single layer with a little space between pieces. Avoid crowding. Cook in batches if needed.
  7. Air fry: Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again after the flip. Strips are done when golden and the internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C).
  8. Season and rest: Sprinkle with a pinch of salt right after cooking, and let them rest for 2 minutes so the crust sets.
  9. Serve: Add a squeeze of lemon if you like and plate with your favorite dip. Enjoy hot.