main-dishes
Air Fried Chicken Strips
These crispy Air Fried Chicken Strips have become a new RizzieFarms favorite — tender chicken coated in a well-seasoned, crunchy panko crust, cooked to perfection in just about 10 minutes. A flavorful spice blend gives the coating plenty of depth, while the air fryer creates a golden, satisfying crisp without deep frying. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces for a quick weeknight dinner, hearty lunch, or crowd-pleasing party platter. A zatar variation offers an optional Middle Eastern twist.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Spice Mix
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Optional: 6 teaspoons zatar spice blend (substitute for entire spice mix)
Breading
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs, divided
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Prep the chicken Cut **1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts** into 1-inch-wide strips. Toss with **1/2 teaspoon kosher salt**, cover, and refrigerate while preparing the breading.
- Prepare the spice mix In a small bowl combine **2 teaspoons paprika**, **1 teaspoon pepper**, **1 teaspoon garlic powder**, **1 teaspoon onion powder**, **1/2 teaspoon ground mustard**, **1/4 teaspoon basil**, **1/4 teaspoon thyme**, and **1/8 teaspoon cayenne**. Mix well and set aside. If using the variation, substitute **6 teaspoons zatar spice blend** for the entire mix.
- Make the seasoned panko In a food processor combine **1/2 cup panko**, **3/4 teaspoon kosher salt**, and **1 tablespoon of the spice mix**. Pulse about 10 times until finely ground. Transfer to a shallow dish and add **1/2 teaspoon olive oil** and the remaining **1 cup panko**. Mix with fingers to distribute the oil.
- Prepare flour and egg dips Place **1/3 cup all-purpose flour** into a second shallow dish and stir in the remaining spice mix. In a third dish whisk **1 egg** with **1 tablespoon water**.
- Bread the chicken strips Working in batches, coat each chicken strip in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Dip in the egg mixture, let excess drip off, then press into the seasoned panko mixture to coat all sides.
- Air fry Arrange the breaded chicken strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Select **AIRFRY / 425°F / SUPER CONVECTION / 8-minute preheat**, then cook for about **10 minutes**, or until crisp and cooked through.
- Serve Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Zatar spice blend makes an excellent Mediterranean variation — substitute 6 teaspoons for the full spice mix.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even crisping.
- For extra crunchy coating, lightly mist the chicken with oil spray before cooking.