Dinner

Crispy Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Tenders with Lemon Pepper Sauce Recipe

BySana Jeannette December 15, 2025December 15, 2025

Introduction

This crispy lemon pepper fried chicken tender recipe offers a perfect balance of crunchy coating and tangy, flavorful sauce. It’s a simple yet impressive dish that’s great for a quick weeknight dinner or casual gatherings. Using an air fryer makes it lighter without sacrificing crispiness.

On a white rectangular plate, three pieces of golden-brown crispy fried chicken strips are arranged with a rough, crunchy texture showing the crumb coating. Small green parsley leaves are scattered over and around the chicken pieces, adding fresh color. Two lemon wedges with bright yellow flesh sit at the corner of the plate. On the white marbled surface next to the plate, there is a small clear glass bowl filled with dark coarse seasoning, with some seasoning sprinkled loosely beside it. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

500g (17.5oz) chicken tenders
1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika
½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp salt
2 eggs

4 tbsp plain flour
2-3 cups cornflakes, crushed
Lemon Pepper Sauce:

1 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic
4 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp lemon zest
4 tbsp honey
1 tsp crushed chili

½ tsp salt
½ tsp crushed black pepper
3 tbsp water

Cornstarch slurry (¼ tsp cornstarch + 3 tbsp water)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the chicken tenders with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, eggs, and plain flour. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly.
Step 2: Crush the cornflakes into small pieces using your hands or a rolling pin.

Step 3: Dredge each coated chicken tender in the crushed cornflakes, pressing gently to ensure a good coating.
Step 4: Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Spray the air fryer rack with cooking oil. Place the chicken tenders on the rack without overcrowding.
Step 5: Air fry the chicken for 12-13 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying a little more oil to maintain crispiness.

Step 6: While the chicken cooks, melt butter in a pan over low-medium heat. Sauté minced garlic and crushed chili until fragrant.
Step 7: Reduce heat to low. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, water, salt, black pepper, and the cornstarch slurry. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens slightly and becomes glossy.
Step 8: Transfer the sauce to a bowl and serve as a dip, or toss each fried chicken tender in the sauce to coat evenly. Sprinkle with finely chopped parsley if desired. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, use gluten-free cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs in place of regular cornflakes.
Adjust the heat by adding more or less crushed chili depending on your spice preference.
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can shallow fry the chicken tenders in oil until golden and crispy.

For a zestier flavor, add extra lemon zest to the sauce or sprinkle on top before serving.

Storage

Store any leftover cooked chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness rather than microwaving. The sauce can be kept separately in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stove.

How to Serve

Three pieces of golden-brown fried chicken lie side by side on a white rectangular plate, each piece crispy with small green herb leaves sprinkled on top and cracked black peppercorns scattered around. On the left and right sides of the plate, there are thick lemon wedges showing their bright yellow peel and pale juicy interior. A small mound of crushed black pepper sits near the lemon wedge on the right. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, adding a clean and fresh look to the composition. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of cornflakes?

Yes, regular breadcrumbs or panko can be used, but cornflakes provide an extra crispy texture that’s hard to beat.

Is it necessary to use an air fryer for this recipe?

No, you can shallow fry the chicken tenders in oil over medium heat until crispy if you don’t have an air fryer. Just keep an eye on them to avoid burning.