Name: Air Fried Tempura Chicken Strips
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian, American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup flour; 1/2 cup cornstarch; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon sugar; 1/2 teaspoon sea salt; 1 egg; 2/3 cup ice water; 1 1/2 pounds of boneless chicken strips,; cooking oil spray or vegetable, canola oil for deep frying; Other meats and seafood can be substituted such as pork tenderloin, boneless steak or another meat or seafood (cooking times will vary with the length of time to cook); Optional: for a seasoned flour coating add1 a teaspoon of roasted or granulated garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of onion powder, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper in the flour step

This recipe is for a delicious coating called tempura batter that can be used to dip chicken, fish, any kind of vegetable, or meat you prefer.

This batter has several cooking methods we offer below to include air frying, baked or conventional pan fried that are all delicious and easy to work with using this batter.

We have great tips below to make these chicken strips one of the tastiest ways you'll ever make itand it's so easy.

Tempura chicken in strips, fingers, or even shaped into nuggets will come out crispy and light and simply the best-tasting coating on the planet and again substitute any meat you like.

Ready to eat in under 20 minutes so it's a great weeknight meal when you've had a busy day.

For best results in the air fryer, we use our battered tempura chicken in a frozen state, so be sure to read the tips and tricks below before starting.

Pan frying can be done immediately, and cooking times will vary if using another meat or seafood, this batter is very versatile and even great on vegetables!

If you're a fan of Asian foods you may also like to try our Homemade Egg Rolls for this meal.

Scroll down to the bottom to print off this easy orange chicken recipe.

chicken strips in tempura batter done in the air fryer

Step-by-Step Tempura Batter Coated Chicken:

Make the batter
Dip the chicken (vegetables, fish or another meat you prefer)
Coat the Chicken
Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single form
Freeze until solid (or for pan frying you can use this immediately)
Choose a cooking method using air frying, baked or pan-fried
Serve with a dipping sauce of choice
(scroll down to the bottom for our printable complete instructions and recipe measurements)

Serving Suggestions

serve with mashed potatoes
Cooked pasta of choice
With Stir-fried vegetables
Over roasted vegetables
Steamed vegetables
Fried rice
14 styles of homemade dipping sauce recipes
warmed jam of any kind you prefer

Tips for Making Tempura

use ice water
invest in an instant-read thermometer for meats' internal temperature for accurate cooking
for spicy flour season it with cayenne pepper
for best results cook tempura-coated chicken strips from a frozen state when using air frying or baking methods
Note: I have tried cooking these air fried without freezing and the batter will drip and make a mess however yes that method can be air-fried from a raw and freshly battered state. (I have also used silicone mats and wasn't happy with the results in the air fryer, for best results cook from a frozen state for baking and air frying cooking methods)

Ingredients (scroll to our printable recipe card for measurements)

boneless, skinless chicken breasts
cornstarch
egg, beaten
vegetable oil
flour
ice cold water
sugar

air fried, baked or pan fried chicken strip photos

Other Cooking Methods

Air Fried Tempura Chicken (from frozen tempura battered chicken): Oil spray the air fryer basket, and preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400 degrees. Place the frozen chicken strips in the air fryer basket and spread them out into a single even layer do not crowd the strips. Air fry the chicken for 5 minutes. Flip the chicken over and then continue to air fry for another 5 to 6 minutes or until cooked through and crispy and slightly browned (the internal temperature should be 165 degrees using an instant-read thermometer).
Baked Tempura Chicken (from frozen tempura battered chicken): Place your chicken tenders on an oiled spray baking sheet or parchment paper. Spray some cooking oil on the tops of the chicken strips. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes flipping over at the 10-minute mark, or until the internal temperature should be 165 degrees using an instant-read thermometer.
Fried Tempura Chicken (this can be done with freshly battered chicken or from a frozen state)Heat oil to 350 degrees in a medium-sized pot (or if using an electric deep fryer)Only add a few pieces of battered chicken at a time single not crowding. Fry until crispy on the outside, about 4 minutes on each side.

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Versatile Tempura Batter

Don't take my word for it, try this tempura batter on vegetables, fish, or any meats your family enjoys.

It's easy to do and you can double the recipe, freeze it on parchment-lined baking trays, then it's ready when you any day of the week to cook.

I have tried several cooking methods and they all taste great depending on your diet and what your lifestyle requires, all 3 versions are terrific.

Don't forget to try our dipping sauce recipes, there is something there for everyone!