If you love pickles and crispy chicken tenders, this Pickle-ish Chicken Tenders recipe is a match made in briny heaven! Greek yogurt and pickle brine create a tangy marinade that keeps the chicken juicy, while a panko and crushed pickle chip coating delivers an ultra-crispy bite. Air-fried to golden perfection, these tenders are quick, easy, and loaded with flavor.

Ingredients

Serves: 2

• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons pickle brine (any variety)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (454g each), cut into 1 ½-inch thick strips
• ¾ cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 cup finely crushed pickle-flavored potato chips

How to Make Pickle-ish Chicken Tenders

1. Marinate the Chicken:
   • In a bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, pickle brine, and black pepper.
   • Add the chicken strips, tossing to coat them fully in the marinade.
   • Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 2 hours.
2. Prepare the Coating:
   • In a shallow bowl or pie plate, mix the panko bread crumbs and finely crushed pickle potato chips.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer:
   • Set the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
   • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
4. Coat the Chicken:
   • Remove a couple of chicken tenders from the marinade and coat them in the panko-chip mixture.
   • Press the coating firmly onto the chicken to ensure it sticks.
   • Repeat with all chicken tenders.
5. Air Fry the Tenders:
   • Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
   • Cook for 16-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F/74°C).
6. Serve:
   • Enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauce (ranch, honey mustard, or a tangy pickle aioli).

Tips & Tricks

• No air fryer? Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Spice it up! Add ½ teaspoon cayenne or smoked paprika to the coating for extra heat.
• Make it gluten-free by using gluten-free panko and chips.
• Try different brines! Dill, spicy, or bread & butter pickle brines all work great.

FAQ

Can I marinate the chicken overnight?
Yes! Up to 12 hours for even more flavor and tenderness.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless thighs work great—just adjust cooking time as needed.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes to keep them crispy.

And that’s it for these Pickle-ish Chicken Tenders! If you try them, tag me on Pinterest or Instagram—I’d love to see your creations! For more easy air fryer recipes, check out my collection here.

Pickle-ish Chicken Tenders

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• Author: Andrea Buckett
• Yield: Serves 2

Ingredients

1/4 cup plain greek yogurt

2 tablespoons of pickle brine (any variety will do)

1 teaspoon pepper

2 (454g) boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into long 1 1/2 ” thick strips

3/4 cups panko bread crumbs

1 cup finely crushed pickle potato chips

Instructions

1. In a bowl, stir together the yogurt, pickle brine and pepper. Add the chicken strips and toss to coat them fully in the yogurt mixture.  Cover and refridgerate for 30 minutes up to 2 hours.

2. Add the panko bread crumbs and finely crushed potato chips to a pie plate or shallow bowl.

 

Preheat the air-fryer to 400°F and spray and air-fry basket with cooking spray

 

1. Transfer a couple of the chicken tenders into the potato chip mixture. Turn to coat the chicken, pressing the mixture into the chicken firmly. Do this until the chicken is fully coated.

2. Transfer the chicken to the air fry basket in one single layer.

3. Cook the chicken for 16-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.

Notes

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.