If you love chicken tenders, you'll love air fryer chicken tenders. They're crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. They're a lot healthier than traditional chicken tenders because these are baked in the air fryer instead of fried in oil. Make them for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or as party appetizers.
What are chicken tenders?
Chicken tenders are a type of chicken breast that has been cut into long, thin strips. They are often used in recipes that call for strips of chicken, such as chicken stir-fry, salads, fajitas, etc.
Chicken tenders are typically white meat, which means they are lower in saturated fat than dark meat cuts of chicken. They are also a good source of protein and essential vitamins and minerals.
When buying chicken tenders, look for ones that are firm and have a consistent thickness. Avoid chicken tenders that are dry or have brown spots.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are crispy, juicy, and delicious, but they can also be pretty unhealthy when they are fried. Fried chicken is high in fat and calories, and it's often coated in unhealthy breading.
However, air fryer chicken tenders offer a healthier alternative. Air fryers use hot air to cook food, so there's no need for oil.
This means that chicken tenders cooked in an air fryer are lower in fat and calories than their fried counterparts.
And since these tenders are not coated in breading, they are also gluten-free. However, if you look for crispier tenders, you may add coating of eggwash and seasoned panko bread crumbs to them.
Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight meal or a hearty dish to feed the crowd, these air fryer chicken tenders are sure to please. Best of all, they can be ready in as little as 20 minutes.
Why does this recipe work?
This is an easy and quick dish you can make in less than 20 minutes.
Can add the tenders to fajitas, salads, serve as sides, or as a crispy appetizer. Versatile to serve in any of the meals.
No breading is best when you have dietary restrictions. No breading makes this gluten-free and perfect for the keto diet as well.
Can make the crispy tenders with fewer ingredients. Also, you can change the seasonings as per taste and flavor you need.
Absolutely delicious and satisfying high protein meal.
How To Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins?
Chicken tenders
Olive oil
Seasonings - salt, black pepper, garlic powder, oregano, smoked paprika
Baking powder - this is optional though, baking powder makes the chicken crispier and browner. However, you can skip it also.
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Before adding the tenders to the seasonings, wipe them off with a kitchen napkin.
Place the chicken tenders in a mixing bowl and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano followed by a sprinkle of baking powder. Drizzle olive oil over it and rub well to mix well.
Spray a little oil to the air fryer basket. Place the chicken tenderloins in the air fryer and cook for 9 - 10 minutes (at 400 F), flipping once halfway through.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Extra tips
This recipe uses fresh chicken tenderloins. You can also use frozen tenders and thwed tenders with an adjustment of timing.
Preheating the air fryer is not necessary but doing so reduces the cooking time for 2 - 3 minutes.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket or tray since they need space for the air to flow for even cooking. If making more in quantity, make sure to air fry in batches.
For best results, marinate the chicken tenders with the seasonings and let it sit for 10 - 20 minutes with covering. However, this is optional.
Since all air fryers don't cook the same way, the timing may vary by 2 - 3 minutes.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the meat. It should be 165F for cooked meat. Once it's reached the temperature, you may remove the tenderloins and stop overcooking.
F A Qs
Yes frozen chicken tenders can be air-fried easily. Preheat the air fryer at 400 F. Just put the frozen tenders in the basket. And air fry for 14 - 15 minutes, flipping them halfways.
Yes, you can make the chicken tenders completely oil-free. Mix the seasonings to 2 - 3 tbsp chicken broth. Add the broth mix to the tenders and rub nicely to coat well. However, olive oil brings a nice crisp to the chicken.
Cook the chicken tender in the air fryer for 8 - 10 minutes for fresh chicken tenders and thawed tenders. Whereas the frozen tenders may take 4 - 5 minutes more to cook.
I cook the tenderloins at a high temperature of 400 F for the best crispiest result. If you are cooking at a lower temperature like 375F, the timing may rise for 4 - 5 minutes more.
I prefer to preheat the air fryer at 400 F for 3 - 4 minutes before adding the tenders to the basket for air frying. However, it's not necessary if your brand says so. But preheating quickens the process and reduces cooking time by 2 - 4 minutes.
You can store the leftover in the fridge for 4 - 5 days when stored properly in an air-tight container closed with a lid.
An air fryer is excellent at reheating the food without making the food losing the crisp. Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket and air fry for 400 F for 5 - 6 minutes or till it's warm and looks crisp.
Other air fryer chicken recipes -
Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
Frozen Chicken Nuggents
Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
Equipment
- 1 MIxing Bowl
- 1 Air Fryer
- 1 Tong
Ingredients
- 1 lb Chicken tenders
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt or to taste (check if the seasoning mix has salt in it)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp oregano dried herb
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional
- ½ - ¾ tsp BBQ seasoning or any seasoning of choice (optional)
- ½ tsp baking powder optional
Instructions
- Take out the fresh tenders and wipe them with a dry napkin to get rid of the moisture.
- Add the seasonings to the tenders and drizzle some olive oil.
- Mix them gently coating the tenders nicely with the seasonings.
- Rub the seasonings well with the tenders. Can keep the marination for 5 - 10 minutes for best results.
- In the meanwhile preheat the air fryer at 400 F for 3 minutes.
- Spray a little oil in the air fryer basket. Optional though, can skip.
- Place the chicken tenderloins in the air fryer basket/ tray.
- Cook for 9 - 10 minutes (at 400 F), flipping once halfway through.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
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