Step 1: Prep the Chicken

First things first, you’ll need to prepare your chicken tenders (or strips if you’re cutting your own chicken breasts).

If you’re using chicken breasts, slice them into strips about 1-inch wide. If you’re using chicken tenders, you can skip this step because they’re already the perfect size. Make sure the chicken is patted dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture—this helps the coating stick better.

Step 2: Set Up Your Dipping Stations

Now it’s time to set up your breading station. You’ll need three shallow bowls or plates for this step.

1. Bowl 1: Combine your flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. This mixture will create a flavorful base for your chicken fingers.
2. Bowl 2: Whisk your eggs together until well combined. This will act as the “glue” that helps the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken.
3. Bowl 3: Combine the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. The panko gives the chicken a crispy texture, while the Parmesan adds a savory kick.

If you want to take it a step further, you can add some finely chopped cilantro to the breadcrumb mixture for an extra pop of freshness.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Now for the fun part—dipping! This is where your chicken really starts to come together.

• First, dip each chicken strip into the flour mixture, making sure it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
• Next, dip the floured chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s well-covered.
• Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure it sticks. This is where the crispy, flavorful magic happens!

Repeat this for all the chicken tenders, and you’ll be ready to move on to the air fryer.

Step 4: Air Fry the Chicken Fingers

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Once it’s ready, lightly spray the basket with spray oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. Arrange the chicken fingers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece so they cook evenly.

Tip: Don’t overcrowd the basket—if needed, cook the chicken in batches.

Spray the tops of the chicken fingers with a light mist of spray oil to help them get nice and crispy.

Now, cook the chicken fingers for 15-18 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the outside is golden brown and crispy.