Southwest Chicken Tenders
Crispy Southwest Chicken Tenders made with corn chips, spices, and buttermilk. Easy air fryer or oven recipe for a quick family dinner!
Servings: 6 servings
Equipment
- 3 shallow dishes
- large plate
- nonstick cooking spray or foil-lined baking sheet (for oven method)
- meat thermometer
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken breast tenderloins
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 3 cups corn chips crushed
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon taco seasoning
- 1 cup buttermilk
- dipping sauces and limes (optional), for serving
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, mix the crushed corn chips with 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning. In another shallow dish, mix the flour with the remaining 1 teaspoon of taco seasoning. Place the buttermilk in a third shallow dish.
- Working one tenderloin at a time, dredge in the flour and shake off excess. Dip into the buttermilk, then press into the corn chip mixture until coated. Transfer to a plate and repeat with all tenderloins.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Spray the basket with nonstick spray and arrange chicken tenders in a single layer without touching. Cook for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through. Chicken is done when crispy and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve immediately with dipping sauces and lime wedges.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store leftovers in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
♨️ REHEATING
- Air fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until hot.
- Oven: Bake at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
- Microwave: Use short intervals, but note tenders will not stay crispy.
- Skillet: Warm in a lightly oiled skillet over medium heat.
❄️ FREEZING
- Freeze uncooked breaded tenders on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Bake or air fry directly from frozen, adding extra cook time as needed.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Crush corn chips finely so they stick well.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket.
- Always check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Oven: Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Stovetop: Shallow fry in a skillet with a thin layer of oil until golden and cooked through.
- Grill: Cook over medium heat for 6-7 minutes per side.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Slice into wraps, tacos, or salads.
- Use in sandwiches or sliders.
- Chop and add to pasta or rice bowls.
Nutrition
Serving: 0.33lb. | Calories: 511kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 479mg | Potassium: 699mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 152IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 117mg | Iron: 2mg
