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If you ask me, air fryer chicken tenders are a total game-changer.
These unbreaded tenders come out perfectly juicy on the inside and nicely browned on the outside, without all the mess of traditional frying. A few simple seasonings and about 10 minutes in the air fryer are all you need.
They’re just right for those busy weeknights when you want something quick but still homemade. The best part? No flour coating means less cleanup, and they’re naturally low-carb for anyone watching their intake.
It’s a fuss-free recipe that still delivers on taste, perfect for both picky eaters and health-conscious folks alike.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Quick cooking time – Ready in less than 30 minutes, these chicken tenders are perfect for busy weeknight dinners when you need something fast but satisfying.
- Healthier option – Since these tenders are unbreaded and air-fried, you get all the flavor with significantly less oil than traditional fried chicken, making them a great choice for healthy eating.
- Basic pantry seasonings – You probably already have most of these common spices in your kitchen cabinet, so no special shopping trip needed.
- Kid-friendly meal – These tenders are a hit with kids and adults alike – they’re juicy on the inside, perfectly seasoned, and fun to dip in your favorite sauce.
- Low-carb friendly – With no breading or flour coating, these tenders fit perfectly into keto, low-carb, and gluten-free eating plans.
What Kind of Chicken Tenderloins Should I Use?
For this recipe, you’ll want to look for fresh chicken tenderloins, which are the small strips of meat attached to the underside of chicken breasts. While you can use chicken breast cut into strips as a substitute, actual tenderloins are naturally more tender and will give you the best results. If you’re buying packaged tenderloins, look for ones that are roughly the same size so they’ll cook evenly in your air fryer. Fresh is ideal, but if you’re using frozen tenderloins, make sure they’re completely thawed and patted dry with paper towels before seasoning – this helps ensure you get that nice outer texture when air frying.
Options for Substitutions
This air fryer chicken recipe is pretty flexible with substitutions. Here’s what you can swap:
- Chicken tenderloins: If you can’t find tenderloins, you can use chicken breast cut into strips. Just watch the cooking time as it might need an extra minute or two. You could also use chicken thighs cut into strips for a juicier result.
- Olive oil: Any neutral oil with a high smoke point works well here – try avocado oil, grapeseed oil, or even melted coconut oil. Just keep the amount the same.
- Smoked paprika: Regular paprika works fine if you don’t have smoked. You’ll lose some of that smoky flavor, but the dish will still taste great. You could add a tiny pinch of cumin (about 1/4 teaspoon) to bring back some smokiness.
- Fresh herbs: Feel free to use fresh herbs instead of dried – just triple the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated. So use 1.5 teaspoons fresh thyme instead of 1/2 teaspoon dried.
- Cayenne pepper: You can swap this with chili powder, red pepper flakes, or just skip it if you don’t like heat. For a different kind of kick, try ground chipotle pepper.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Air Frying
The biggest mistake when cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer is overcrowding the basket – make sure to leave space between each piece so the hot air can circulate properly and create an even cook. Another common error is not patting the chicken dry before adding the oil and seasonings, which can prevent the spices from sticking properly and result in less flavorful tenders. To get the juiciest results, avoid cooking the tenders straight from the fridge – letting them sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes helps them cook more evenly and prevents the outside from drying out before the inside is done. For the most accurate cooking, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F, and remember to flip the tenders halfway through cooking to ensure both sides get equally crispy.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Tenders?
These simple chicken tenders are super flexible when it comes to side dishes – you can go healthy or indulgent depending on your mood! For a light meal, pair them with a crisp garden salad or some roasted vegetables like broccoli or Brussels sprouts. If you’re craving something more substantial, these tenders taste great with sweet potato fries, mac and cheese, or classic coleslaw. Since they’re unbreaded and seasoned with herbs and spices, they also work really well sliced up and tossed into a wrap with some fresh veggies and ranch dressing, or laid over a bed of rice with your favorite sauce.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: These air fryer chicken tenders stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They’re perfect for meal prep – I like to make a big batch on Sunday and use them throughout the week for quick lunches or dinner add-ins.
Freeze: Want to prep these for later? Let the tenders cool completely, then place them in a freezer bag or container. They’ll keep well for up to 3 months. Pro tip: freeze them on a baking sheet first for about an hour before transferring to your container – this prevents them from sticking together!
Reheat: To bring back that just-cooked taste, pop the tenders back in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350°F. You can also microwave them, but they won’t be as crispy. If reheating from frozen, add a couple extra minutes to the cooking time.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 10-12 minutes |
| Total Time | 20-27 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 800-900
- Protein: 100-110 g
- Fat: 40-50 g
- Carbohydrates: 10-15 g
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme (dried)
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (ground)
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to preference)
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano (dried)
- 1/2 teaspoon basil (dried)
Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Chicken Tenders
Start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
While the air fryer is heating, take your chicken tenders and pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Place the tenders in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil, tossing them to ensure they are completely coated.
Step 2: Season the Chicken Tenders
In a small bowl, combine your preferred seasonings (such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, etc.).
Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the oiled chicken tenders, making sure each tender is well-coated with the spices for maximum flavor.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken Tenders
Once seasoned, arrange the chicken tenders in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there’s enough space between each piece for even cooking.
Air fry the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping them once halfway through the cooking time.
The tenders should be cooked through and have a golden, crispy exterior when done.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
After cooking, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes.
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or a side of your choice.
Enjoy your perfectly air-fried chicken tenders!