Easy Buffalo Chicken Tenders: Your Monday Night Lifesaver 🍗✨
Let’s be honest… if you’re coming home on a Monday night tired, hungry, and already debating between cereal or a drive-thru, I’ve got your back. Because this, my friend, is not just another dinner recipe.
These Buffalo Chicken Tenders are juicy on the inside, crispy on the outside, and packed with the kind of flavor that makes everyone at the table look at you like, “Okay… she did that.” And the best part? You control how bold the flavor gets. Want it mild? Keep it light. Want it extra saucy and punchy? Go all in.
This recipe is fast, easy, and—dare I say—dangerously good. Perfect for busy weeknights, game days, or those evenings when you’d rather be in your fuzzy socks than standing over a hot stove. 🧦
Why This Recipe Works (Even on the Longest Monday) 🏡
✅ Quick and easy: From start to finish in about 20 minutes. 🍗 Customizable: Make it mild, medium, or bring the heat—your kitchen, your rules. 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly: Picky eaters love chicken tenders, and this one’s a winner. 🧽 Minimal cleanup: No piles of dirty dishes, just one bowl and the air fryer. 🥳 Flavor packed: Crunchy coating, tender chicken, and just the right balance of seasoning.
This is one of those easy dinner recipes that makes you look like you put in way more effort than you actually did.
What You’ll Need 📝
Simple ingredients, nothing fancy, just pantry staples that turn into pure magic:
Chicken tenders (or chicken breast cut into strips) Sour cream (for coating and keeping things juicy) Bread crumbs (plain or seasoned) Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Air Fryer seasoning Honey (optional, for that perfect sweet-heat balance) Olive oil spray (optional, for extra crispiness)
👉 The secret weapon here is that buffalo seasoning. You’re not drenching the chicken in sauce—so no soggy breading, no mess, no stress. Just bold flavor that sticks right to the chicken.
Step-by-Step Instructions 👩🍳
1. Coat the Chicken
Start by tossing your chicken tenders in sour cream. Don’t skip this part—it helps the breading stick and keeps the inside tender and juicy.
2. Mix & Bread
Combine bread crumbs with your buffalo seasoning. Add as much or as little as you want depending on how bold you want the flavor. Roll each chicken tender in the mixture, pressing gently so it sticks.
3. Air Fry to Golden Goodness
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer so the air can circulate around them. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway. You’ll hear that little crunch when they’re done, and it’s glorious.
4. Optional Honey Drizzle
If you love that sweet-and-savory combo, drizzle with honey right after they come out. It’s a game changer.
5. Serve Hot & Enjoy
That’s it. No standing over a frying pan. No splattering oil. Just perfectly cooked chicken tenders with flavor you’ll crave again tomorrow.
How to Serve Buffalo Chicken Tenders 🍽️
This recipe is versatile—it can be a full meal, a game-day appetizer, or a grab-and-go lunch the next day. Here are some of my favorite ways to serve it:
🥗 On a salad: Toss them on greens with ranch or blue cheese dressing. 🌮 In a wrap: Add lettuce, cheese, and a drizzle of dressing or extra sauce. 🥔 Classic dinner: Pair with fries, potato wedges, mac & cheese, or coleslaw. 🍞 Sliders: Pile them on mini buns for a fun party snack or casual dinner. 🧀 With dips: Ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard… the options are endless.
The beauty of this recipe is that it fits whatever vibe your night has—lazy Monday, tailgate Saturday, or midweek family dinner.
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Chicken Tenders 🧡
Preheat the air fryer. This gives you that golden, crispy crust. Don’t crowd the basket. Give each piece space so it cooks evenly. Flip halfway through. This ensures both sides get crispy. Let them rest for 2 minutes. It locks in the juices. Want more flavor? Add extra seasoning to the breading or toss the finished tenders in a bit of buffalo sauce.
Make It Ahead & Store It Like a Pro 🧊
These tenders aren’t just great fresh—they also store and reheat beautifully.
❄️ Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. 🔥 Reheat: Pop them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes to bring that crunch right back. 🧊 Freeze: Yes, you can freeze them! Let them cool completely, then freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Reheat straight from frozen at 375°F for about 10 minutes.
Perfect for meal prep or those nights when cooking feels like climbing a mountain.
Why Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Are a Weeknight Hero 💪
If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I love a good air fryer recipe. It’s fast, clean, and foolproof.
Air frying gives you that crisp, fried texture without the mess of hot oil. It’s also more forgiving if you’re multitasking (because let’s be honest, who isn’t?).
This is one of those recipes I reach for again and again because:
It tastes like comfort food. It doesn’t blow up your kitchen. It makes everyone happy—even the picky eaters.
This is a Monday night dinner win that deserves a permanent spot in your rotation.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
Q: Can I make these in the oven?
Yes! Bake at 425°F for about 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway. They’ll still get nice and crisp.
Q: Can I use chicken breast instead of tenders?
Absolutely. Just slice them into strips so they cook evenly.
Q: Are these really spicy?
Nope! You control the heat with the seasoning. Keep it mellow or turn it up—it’s your call.
Q: What dips go best with these tenders?
Ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, or even a light drizzle of honey. You can’t go wrong.
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes—just use gluten-free bread crumbs.
Make It a Meal 🏆
Here’s one of my favorite Lake Lyfe Monday Night Menus with these tenders:
🍗 Main: Buffalo Chicken Tenders 🥔 Side: Garlic Parmesan fries or a baked potato 🥦 Veggie: Roasted broccoli or side salad 🥤 Drink: Sweet tea or sparkling water with lime 🍪 Dessert: One cookie. Or three. No judgment.
Save This Recipe 💌
Here’s the thing about recipes like this—they become your recipes. The kind you make on repeat without even looking at the measurements. The kind your family asks for again and again.
Save this post so when life gets busy (and it will), you’ve got a go-to easy dinner recipe that takes the stress out of weeknight meals.
💬 Pro Tip: If you want the typed-out printable version of this recipe, just comment easy dinner and I’ll send it to you.
Dinner doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. These easy Buffalo Chicken Tenders prove that you can have a flavorful, family-friendly meal on the table in less time than it takes to debate takeout. They’re crispy, juicy, customizable, and oh-so-satisfying.
So the next time Monday rolls around and you’re too tired to think—this is your sign to pull out the air fryer, grab some chicken, and make these tenders. You deserve an easy dinner win. 🐔❤️
xx,
Tracy 💛
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