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Crispy Butter Chicken Tenders

Featured in: Crowd-Pleasing Recipes That Bring Everyone to the Table

Crispy on the outside, these chicken tenders are air fried with a cornflake crust and coated in a lip-smacking buttery sauce. The garlic, lemon, and herbs add bold, fresh flavors, while a touch of cayenne gives it just the right amount of kick. Ready in 30 minutes, they're perfect for dinners, game days, or easy meal prep.
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Chef with a smile, ready to cook and serve.
Updated on Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:59:35 GMT
Crispy fried chicken on a plate, served with sauce and a lemon slice. Pin it
Crispy fried chicken on a plate, served with sauce and a lemon slice. | yummygusto.com

Crunchy, succulent chicken strips soaked in a bold, tangy butter mix make an addictive combo that turns plain chicken fingers into an unforgettable dish. This Cowboy Butter Chicken brings together the perfect snap of cornflake breading with a decadent butter drizzle packed with fresh herbs, garlic, and just the right kick of spice.

I made these chicken strips for my family get-together last week and they were gone in seconds. The cornflake coating stayed super crunchy even with the rich butter sauce poured over, showing why this pairing works so darn well.

Key Ingredients

  • Chicken tenderloins: Give you the best texture and cook up fast
  • Cornflakes: Make an ultra-crunchy coating that doesn't get soggy
  • Regular flour: Sticks everything together nicely
  • Cajun spice blend: Brings awesome flavor complexity
  • Eggs from local hens: Make sure everything sticks properly
  • Full-fat milk: Makes the egg mixture extra rich
  • Quality butter: Creates the foundation for our amazing sauce
  • Juicy lemons: Add that zingy freshness
  • Fragrant garlic cloves: Bring that must-have flavor punch
  • Dijon: Adds a bit of tang and complexity
  • Chopped parsley: Gives color and fresh taste
  • Sliced green onions: Add a gentle oniony flavor
  • Sweet Hungarian paprika: Gives gorgeous color and taste
  • Fresh thyme: Works wonders with the butter sauce
  • Cayenne: Brings just the right amount of heat

Making Your Dish

Setup Your Station:
Get three shallow bowls ready for coating. Mix your flour with Cajun spices in bowl one for a tasty foundation.
Mix Your Wet Stuff:
Beat eggs and milk together until they're smooth so your coating sticks perfectly.
Prep Your Cornflakes:
Smash cornflakes into medium bits that'll give you that amazing crunch factor.
First Coating Step:
Roll each chicken piece in the spiced flour, making sure it's totally covered before moving on.
Build Your Layers:
Push chicken firmly into cornflake crumbs so they stick all over without gaps.
Air Fry to Perfection:
Lay your chicken pieces out with space between them so air can flow for maximum crispiness.
Whip Up Your Sauce:
Gently melt butter and stir in all your chopped herbs and spices until they're mixed just right.
Put It All Together:
Lightly coat your crispy chicken in warm butter sauce right before you serve for the best flavor.
A plate of fried chicken with a lemon wedge and a bowl of dipping sauce. Pin it
A plate of fried chicken with a lemon wedge and a bowl of dipping sauce. | yummygusto.com

My grandma always told me to use Hungarian paprika in chicken dishes, and now I totally get why. It's got this rich, deep flavor that regular paprika just can't touch.

Tasty Sidekicks

Make your meal complete by adding creamy mashed potatoes, fresh garden salad, or homemade slaw. If you want something lighter, toss these tenders on top of mixed greens with some ranch.

Switch It Up

Try using GF cornflakes and flour if you can't eat gluten. Play around with Italian herbs or Mexican spices for different flavors. Add more cayenne or red pepper if you love spicy food.

Keeping It Good

Put any leftover chicken in a sealed container in your fridge for up to three days. Pop them back in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350°F to bring back the crunch. Keep extra sauce separate and warm it up gently before you pour it on.

A plate of fried chicken with a bowl of dipping sauce on the side. Pin it
A plate of fried chicken with a bowl of dipping sauce on the side. | yummygusto.com

I've tried tons of chicken recipes over the years, but this Cowboy Butter version always gets the biggest smiles from everyone who tries it. That mix of super crunchy coating with rich, flavorful butter sauce makes a dish your family won't stop asking for.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I cook these tenders in the oven?
Absolutely! Bake them at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they’re crispy and cooked.
→ How do I keep leftover tenders fresh?
Pop them into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To get that crunch back, reheat them in an oven or air fryer.
→ What sides go well with crispy tenders?
They’re delicious with fries, coleslaw, mac and cheese, or a crisp salad. Don’t forget to dip them in ranch or blue cheese!
→ Can I prepare the butter sauce in advance?
Sure! Make it up to two days ahead, stash it in the fridge, and warm it gently before using.
→ What’s the easiest way to crush cornflakes?
Toss them in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Aim for coarse bits for the best texture.

Butter Chicken Tenders

Crunchy chicken tenders with a cornflake coating, draped in a flavorful butter sauce bursting with garlic, lemon, and herbs.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Sandra

Category: Family Meals

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Southern American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 chicken strips)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Chicken Crust

01 2 lbs chicken tenders
02 1 tbsp Cajun or spicy chicken seasoning
03 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
04 1/2 cup plain flour
05 1 tsp salt
06 2 big eggs
07 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk
08 3 cups of crushed corn flakes (leave them chunky)
09 Spray oil (olive or avocado)

→ Butter Sauce with Herbs

10 1 stick of butter, slightly softened
11 4 minced garlic cloves
12 1/2 lemon (use zest and 1 tbsp juice)
13 1 tsp paprika
14 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
15 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
16 1/2 tsp cayenne or chili flakes
17 1/2 tsp dried thyme
18 2 tbsp chopped parsley
19 1 tbsp sliced fresh chives or green onions
20 Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 01

Toss cornflakes into a big zip-top bag. Seal it up, then whack the bag with a rolling pin until you’ve got coarse crumbs.

Step 02

Line up three shallow bowls or pans. In the first, mix the flour with seasonings. Beat eggs and milk together in the second until smooth. Pour crushed cornflakes into the third.

Step 03

Dip each piece of chicken in the flour, making sure to shake off extra. Then dunk it in the egg mix and finish by pressing it into the cornflakes so they stick.

Step 04

Place several tenders in the air fryer, coat with oil spray, and cook at 400°F for 5 minutes. Flip them over, spray once more, and air fry for 5 more minutes until crisp and golden.

Step 05

As the chicken cooks, stir all the butter sauce ingredients together. Adjust flavors as needed before serving.

Step 06

Dump the ready chicken tenders into a big bowl, pour the cowboy butter over the top, and stir them up to coat every piece. Serve alongside ranch or blue cheese dip if you’d like.

Notes

  1. Freezing tip: Lay breaded tenders on a baking sheet to freeze for 2 hours, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Keeps up to 2 months.
  2. When melting butter, don’t fully melt it. Keep a few solid bits to stop separation into oil and milk solids.

Tools You'll Need

  • Air fryer machine
  • Shallow pans or bowls (like pie plates)
  • Large zip-top bag
  • Meat tenderizer or rolling pin
  • Big bowl for mixing the final dish

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy (buttermilk, butter)
  • Egg content
  • Gluten from flour and cornflakes