Fast food found its match in heaven when chicken strips were created. I found my own heavenly match when I tested this recipe in my air fryer. My son James–a chicken strip aficionado– was the judge for the coating. After several tries with various coating mixtures, he declared the simple mixture of two different breadcrumbs and a few flavorful seasonings as “the best.” Buttermilk keeps the chicken nice and moist; poultry seasoning adds a bit of Southern flair, and ranch Dressing sends them over the top!

1/2 cup buttermilk
1 large egg white
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 pounds chicken tenders (this should be about 8)
1/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1/3 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
Homemade Ranch Dressing

1. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. In a large shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg white, and baking soda. Add the chicken to the buttermilk mixture and let set for 5 minutes.

2. In another shallow bowl, combine the next 5 ingredients (Panko through poultry seasoning). Drizzle one tablespoon of the buttermilk mixture on top and mix well. Remove chicken one piece at a time and roll into crumb mixture coating all sides.

3. Spray the chicken strips with cooking spray and place pieces into the air fryer in a single layer (in batches if necessary). Air-fry chicken strips for 8 to 9 minutes, or until nicely browned, turning once and lightly spraying with cooking spray again after 5 minutes. Serve with Ranch dressing.

OVEN INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Spray a sheet pan with cooking spray. Place prepared breadcrumb coated chicken strips on pan and bake for 8 minutes. Turn the strips, spray lightly with cooking spray and bake for 5 to 6 more minutes or until nicely browned.

DARE TO COMPARE: An order of fast-food chicken tenders with 32 grams of protein, like these, has 500 calories, twice as much sodium, and 10 times the fat!

NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING (2 strips without dressing): Calories 185 | Carbohydrate 11g (Sugars 2g) | Total Fat 2g (Sat Fat 0g) | Protein 32g | Fiber 3g | Cholesterol 0mg | Sodium 435mg | Food Exchanges: 4 Lean Meat, 1 Starch | Carbohydrate Choices: 1/2 | Weight Watcher Smart Point Comparison: Green 6, Blue 4, Purple 4