Welcome to your new favorite way to make incredibly crispy and juicy chicken tenders without a drop of deep-frying oil! These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are a game-changer for busy weeknights, offering a healthier twist on a classic comfort food that’s ready in minutes. Say goodbye to greasy messes and hello to perfectly golden, tender, and flavor-packed chicken every single time.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Essential Ingredients
- Tools You’ll Need
- How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Achieving the Perfect Crisp: Cooking Times
- Delicious Pairings: What to Serve
- Expert Tips for Success
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders FAQs
- More Air Fryer Recipes to Try
- Full Recipe Card
Why You’ll Love This Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tender Recipe
This recipe is an absolute winner and has quickly become a staple in my kitchen. It’s incredibly easy to prepare, making it a go-to choice for those chaotic weeknights when you need a delicious meal on the table fast. The secret lies in the air fryer, which transforms simple chicken tenders into culinary masterpieces that are astonishingly juicy on the inside and boast an irresistible, perfectly crispy golden-brown coating on the outside. This texture contrast is exactly what you want from a chicken tender, rivaling your favorite takeout without the excess oil.
What makes this dish truly special is its versatility. Serve these tenders with a fresh, vibrant salad for a lighter meal, alongside classic mac and cheese for ultimate comfort, or with roasted potatoes and a selection of your favorite dipping sauces for a fun, family-style dinner. The speed at which the air fryer cooks means less time hovering over the stove and more quality time with your loved ones. Unlike a traditional oven, the air fryer circulates hot air rapidly, ensuring even cooking and that coveted crispness in a fraction of the time. It’s a practical, time-saving appliance that’s perfect for anyone leading a busy life, proving that healthy and delicious can go hand-in-hand!
Essential Ingredients for Your Perfect Chicken Tenders
Crafting these perfectly crispy chicken tenders starts with a few simple, wholesome ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need and why each plays a crucial role:
- Chicken Tenders: Opt for high-quality chicken tenderloins. While they often come with a tough tendon strip, removing it (we’ll show you how!) ensures a more tender bite. If tenders aren’t available, boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced into ¾-inch thick strips work wonderfully.
- Eggs: These are the essential binder for your breading. Beaten eggs create a sticky surface that allows the breadcrumbs and seasonings to adhere flawlessly to the chicken, creating that desirable crispy crust.
- Breadcrumbs: For the ultimate crisp, I recommend a blend of both Italian breadcrumbs (for flavor) and panko breadcrumbs (for superior crunch). Panko’s flaky texture truly elevates the crispiness. For dietary needs, gluten-free breadcrumbs or even almond flour can be substituted, though textures may vary slightly.
- Seasoning Blend: A classic combination of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika forms the flavor base. This blend offers a savory, aromatic profile that complements the chicken beautifully. Feel free to customize this with your favorite spices, such as Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper for a kick, or a touch of dried oregano.
- Cooking Oil Spray: A light mist of oil spray is key to achieving that golden, fried texture without deep-frying. It helps the breading crisp up and turn beautifully golden in the air fryer.
Tools You’ll Need for Air Frying Success
To make these air fryer chicken tenders effortlessly, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools:
- Air Fryer: The star of the show! Any model will work, but I personally use a Cosori Dual Blaze air fryer for its efficient cooking and generous capacity. Ensure your air fryer is clean and ready to go.
- Kitchen Tongs: Indispensable for safely flipping the chicken tenders mid-cook and carefully removing them from the hot air fryer basket once done. This prevents burns and helps maintain the breading.
- Two Small Shallow Bowls: One bowl for your beaten eggs and another for your breadcrumb mixture. Shallow bowls make it easy to dip and coat the chicken evenly without making a mess.
- Plate or Baking Sheet: For holding your breaded chicken tenders before they go into the air fryer.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Making crispy air fryer chicken tenders is incredibly straightforward. Follow these steps for a perfect batch every time:
- Prepare the Chicken: Begin by preparing your chicken tenders. If present, remove the tough tendon strip from each tender. This is easily done by grasping the tendon with a paper towel, inserting a fork at the base of the tendon (between the tendon and the meat), and pulling the tendon while pressing the fork firmly against the chicken. The tendon should slide right out. You can also cut larger tenders into two pieces for more uniform cooking.
- Season the Chicken: In a small bowl, combine your salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over all sides of the chicken tenders, then gently rub it into the meat to ensure every piece is thoroughly seasoned.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Beat the eggs in one shallow bowl until well combined. In a second shallow bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs and the plain or Italian breadcrumbs.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each seasoned chicken tender first into the beaten egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let any excess egg drip off, then transfer the tender to the breadcrumb bowl. Press firmly to coat all sides thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture. Place the breaded tenders on a clean plate or baking sheet.
- Apply Oil Spray: Lightly spray the breaded chicken tenders with cooking oil spray while they are still on the plate. This is an important trick! Spraying them outside the air fryer basket prevents oil from pooling and baking onto the basket, making cleanup much easier.
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes. Preheating is crucial for achieving immediate crispness and even cooking.
- Air Fry in Batches: Arrange the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in your preheated air fryer basket or on the rack. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary to allow hot air to circulate freely around each piece, which is essential for crispiness.
- Cook and Flip: Cook the chicken tenders for 6 minutes. Then, using kitchen tongs, carefully flip each tender to the other side. Continue cooking for another 6 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Check for Doneness: The internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken tender should reach at least 165°F (74°C) for food safety. An instant-read thermometer is your best friend here. If needed, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes per side.
- Serve Immediately: Once cooked, remove the crispy chicken tenders from the air fryer and serve them hot with your favorite sides and dipping sauces. Repeat with any remaining batches.
Achieving the Perfect Crisp: Air Fryer Chicken Tender Cooking Times
One of the greatest advantages of using an air fryer for chicken tenders is how quickly they cook to perfection. This method slashes cooking time compared to conventional oven baking, delivering that sought-after crispy exterior without drying out the interior. I typically cook my chicken tenders for **6 minutes per side at 400°F (200°C)**. This results in beautifully golden-brown and thoroughly cooked tenders.
However, it’s crucial to remember that cooking times can vary. Just like traditional ovens, every air fryer model is slightly different. Factors such as the wattage of your air fryer, how full the basket is, and the thickness of your chicken tenders can all impact the total cooking time. Always check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken with an instant-read meat thermometer; it should register at least 165°F (74°C) to be safely consumed. If they haven’t reached this temperature after 12 minutes, simply add an extra 1-3 minutes to the cooking time, checking again until they are perfectly done.
Delicious Pairings: What to Serve with Your Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are incredibly versatile and pair wonderfully with a wide array of sides and dipping sauces, making them perfect for any meal or occasion. Here are some fantastic ideas to complete your meal:
Dipping Sauces:
- Classic Ketchup: A timeless favorite that never disappoints.
- Tangy BBQ Sauce: Homemade BBQ sauce adds a rich, smoky sweetness.
- Creamy Ranch or Blue Cheese: Perfect for those who love a cool, zesty contrast.
- Honey Mustard: A sweet and savory blend that’s always a hit, especially with kids.
- Spicy Sriracha Mayo: For a little kick, mix sriracha with mayonnaise.
- Copycat Chick-fil-A Sauce: Recreate this popular sauce at home for an extra special treat.
- Marinara Sauce: A warm, savory marinara can be surprisingly delicious with chicken tenders, almost like a chicken parmesan bite!
Side Dishes:
- Fresh Salads: A crisp green salad, coleslaw, or a vibrant pasta salad offers a refreshing balance.
- Comforting Classics: Mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, or creamy potato salad are always crowd-plepleasers.
- Roasted Vegetables: Air fryer broccoli, asparagus, or sweet potato fries make healthy and delicious companions.
- French Fries or Tater Tots: For a classic combo, serve with a side of crispy fries, which can also be made in your air fryer!
- Rice Pilaf or Quinoa: Light and fluffy grains can make for a more substantial meal.
- Dinner Rolls or Cornbread: Perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.
Expert Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Every Time
Best Tips for Making Air Fryer Chicken Tenders:
- Tendon Removal for Ultimate Tenderness: Many chicken tenders have a noticeable, tough white tendon running through them. To remove it, lay the tender on a cutting board, grab the end of the tendon with a paper towel (for grip), then place the tines of a fork at the base of the tendon, pressing down firmly against the chicken. Slowly pull the tendon through the fork with your other hand. It will slide right out, leaving you with perfectly tender chicken. You can then cut larger tenders into two pieces for more uniform cooking.
- No Tenders? No Problem!: If you only have chicken breasts, simply slice them into strips about ¾-inch thick. Aim for uniform size to ensure even cooking and consistent crispiness.
- Breading Variations for Texture and Flavor: Experiment with your breading! While a mix of panko and Italian breadcrumbs offers a fantastic crisp, you can use plain breadcrumbs, gluten-free breadcrumbs, or even crushed cornflakes or pretzels for unique textures and flavors. For an extra light coating, try almond flour seasoned generously.
- Egg Alternatives: Eggs are crucial for the breading to stick, but if you need an alternative due to allergies or preference, melted butter, buttermilk, or even plain milk can work as a binder. For a tangy twist, a thin layer of mustard can also serve as an adhesive before breading.
- Customizing Your Seasoning: The suggested seasoning blend is a great starting point, but feel free to make it your own! Add a pinch of cayenne for heat, smoked paprika for depth, or a pre-made chicken seasoning blend. Lemon pepper, oregano, or a touch of dried thyme can also add wonderful aromatics.
- The Oil Spray Trick: Always spray your breaded chicken tenders with cooking oil while they are still on the plate, *before* placing them in the air fryer basket. This prevents oil from dripping and baking onto the basket, making cleanup significantly easier and preventing sticky residue buildup.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This is perhaps one of the most important air frying rules! For truly crispy chicken tenders, arrange them in a single layer with space in between for air to circulate. Overcrowding traps steam, leading to soggy chicken. Cook in batches if necessary.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Just like an oven, preheating your air fryer is essential. A hot air fryer ensures that the chicken starts cooking immediately, leading to a crispier exterior and more even cooking. Aim for 3-5 minutes of preheating.
- Resting Time: Once cooked, allow the chicken tenders to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender and flavorful chicken.
- Uniform Size for Even Cooking: Try to make sure all your chicken tenders (or strips) are roughly the same size and thickness. This ensures they cook at the same rate, preventing some from being overcooked while others are still raw.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders FAQs:
Can I make chicken tenders in the air fryer without breading?
Absolutely! If you prefer to skip the breading, simply season the raw chicken tenders generously with your desired spices. Cook them in the air fryer as directed, flipping halfway. For an added boost of flavor, you can brush them with a BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or a glaze during the last few minutes of cooking.
How to store leftover air fryer chicken tenders?
Leftover air fryer chicken tenders should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure they have cooled completely before refrigerating to prevent condensation.
How to reheat chicken tenders to keep them crispy?
The best way to reheat chicken tenders and maintain their crispiness is in the air fryer! Place them in a single layer in a preheated air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. Reheating in the microwave will make the breading soft and should be avoided if you want that crunch.
Can I cook frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer?
Yes, you can cook store-bought frozen breaded chicken tenders directly in the air fryer. Generally, you’ll want to cook them at 380-400°F (195-200°C) for 12-18 minutes, flipping halfway, or follow the package instructions for oven baking and reduce the time by about 20-30% while checking often for doneness and crispiness.
How do I make my air fryer chicken tenders extra crispy?
Several tips can help achieve maximum crispiness: don’t overcrowd the basket (cook in batches!), preheat your air fryer, ensure your breading is evenly coated and lightly sprayed with oil, and use panko breadcrumbs for that superior crunch.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply substitute regular breadcrumbs with your favorite gluten-free breadcrumbs or seasoned almond flour. The cooking process remains the same.
More Mouthwatering Air Fryer Recipes to Try
If you loved these crispy chicken tenders, you’ll be thrilled to discover the endless possibilities of your air fryer. Explore more delicious and easy recipes to add to your rotation:
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
If you’ve tried this fantastic recipe and loved it, don’t forget to share your experience and thoughts in the comments section below! Your feedback and ratings help others discover delicious new meals.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Author: Anna
These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are tender and juicy on the inside, and crispy on the outside. Thanks to the air fryer, they are done in minutes without frying them in oil!
5 out of 5 stars (3 votes)
Pin Recipe
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 27 mins
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 376 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken tenders
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- ½ cup plain or Italian bread crumbs
- Cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Prepare chicken tenders: If you want to remove the tendon strip that is in the center of each chicken tender, simply pull it out by placing the tendon in between the fork teeth and grabbing it with a paper towel; then pull by the tendon and press the fork against the chicken tender. The tendon strip will come out and the chicken tender can be cut into two pieces.
- Mix seasoning: In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle evenly over the chicken tenders and rub it in.
- Prepare breading stations: Beat eggs in one small shallow bowl. Mix panko breadcrumbs and plain or Italian breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl.
- Coat chicken: Dip seasoned tenders in eggs, then thoroughly coat in the breadcrumb mixture. Place on a plate.
- Spray with oil: Lightly spray the breaded tenders with cooking oil spray while they are still on the plate (not in the air fryer basket) to prevent residue buildup.
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Cook in batches: Place chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket or rack. Do not overcrowd.
- Air fry: Cook for 6 minutes, then flip them using kitchen tongs and cook for another 6 minutes, or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Repeat with any remaining chicken tenders and serve immediately with your favorite sides and dipping sauces.
Notes
- If you don’t have chicken tenders, use chicken breast and slice it into strips, about ¾-inch thick.
- Eggs help the breading stick to the chicken, but if you need to omit them, use melted butter or milk as a binder.
- Please note that nutrition values can vary depending on the exact products used. The information below is an estimate. Always use a calorie counter you are familiar with for precise data.
Nutrition Information
- Calories: 376kcal
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Protein: 54g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 227mg
- Sodium: 739mg
- Potassium: 927mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Vitamin A: 317IU
- Vitamin C: 3mg
- Calcium: 70mg
- Iron: 2mg
This post contains some affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.