Marinate the Chicken: In a shallow dish, pour the buttermilk over the chicken strips. Make sure each piece is well-coated. Season with a little salt and pepper. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator, or for best results, overnight.

Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This step ensures that the chicken will start cooking immediately, getting that perfect crispy texture.

Prepare the Breading: In another shallow dish, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. This mixture will give your chicken strips their flavorful, crispy coating.

Coat the Chicken: Remove a chicken strip from the buttermilk, allowing the excess to drip off. Dredge the strip in the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere the breadcrumbs to all sides. Set aside on a plate or tray and repeat with the remaining chicken strips.

Arrange in the Air Fryer: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the breaded chicken strips in a single layer in the basket, making sure they do not touch for even cooking. You may need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook: Spray the tops of the chicken strips lightly with cooking spray (this is optional but helps achieve a golden color). Air fry for 10 minutes. Then, using tongs, flip the chicken strips over and continue to air fry for another 5-10 minutes, or until the exterior is golden brown and crispy, and the chicken is cooked through.

Serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken strips from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes. This is a good time to prepare any dipping sauces or sides. Serve warm.