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Home » Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Published: February 11, 2022 Last Modified: February 11, 2022 This post may contain affiliate links.

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These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are breaded crispy chicken strips seasoned with spices and are easy to make. They are crunchy and crispy on the outside while moist and juicy on the inside. It is delicious on its own or pair it with your favorite sauce. Serve it as an appetizer or as a meal with a side of fries, vegetables or salad.

Air frying chicken tenders is healthier than deep frying and only need a teaspoon of oil. You’ll be amaze how crispy these chicken strips and they are not deep fried.

If you like to try another delicious air fryer chicken recipe, try this Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheese.

Crispy chicken tenders in a platter garnished with fresh parsley flakes and a side of sauce and lemon.

What part of chicken are chicken tenders

They are the little strips of meat that are loosely attached to the underside of each breast and every chicken has two tenderloin or tenders.

Chicken breast with knife pointing to the chicken tenders.
Cutting the tenders from the chicken breast. Some grocery stores does not remove the tenderloin from chicken breast.

Can I use chicken breast to make chicken tenders

Yes, you can use chicken breast instead of tenders. Lately, it’s been hard to find certain chicken cuts or parts. If you cannot find chicken tenders, use boneless skinless chicken breast. Cut it lengthwise like tenders about ½ inch thick.

Ingredients to make chicken tenders in air fryer.
Ingredients to make chicken tenders in air fryer.

How to make this air fryer chicken recipe

If frozen, thaw chicken tenders or chicken breast in the refrigerator overnight and dry with paper towel.

If using chicken breast, cut it lengthwise and ½ an inch thick.

In a small container, combine onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Reserve ½ of mixture to season chicken tenders and the other half to add to the breading.

In a shallow bowl or zip lock bag, make the breading. Combine ½ of the seasonings, bread crumbs and panko. Set aside.

Beat egg and place all chicken tenders until well coated. Sprinkle half of the seasonings.

Spray the bottom of air fryer basket lightly with olive oil.

Dredge each chicken tenders in breading. Gently shake to remove excess breading then place in the air fryer basket.

Note: If your air fryer is small, do not overcrowd and cook in batches. Bread the second batch after the first batch is cooked.

Six images showing how to make chicken tenders.

How long to cook chicken tenders in air fryer

Preheat the air fryer and cook the chicken tenders at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes, flipping it halfway through cooking. Note: Cooking time can slightly vary depending on brand or model of air fryer.

Tips for a perfect and crispy chicken strips

Place chicken tenders in single layer in air fryer basket.

Do not overcrowd chicken tenders in airfryer so air can circulate to ensure even cooking.

Flip tenders to cook evenly.

I suggest that you always cook with the lowest cooking time. Open the air fryer basket 5 seconds before cooking time ends and check if your food needs more time to cook then add another minute or more. Note: It is possible your tenders are cut thinner or larger than mine and that would require adjusting the cooking time.

Chicken tenders on a platter sprinkled with fresh parsley flakes and a side of lemon wedges and sauce.

Variations to make this recipe

  1. Without egg – Lightly brush chicken tenders with olive oil so breading can stick to it. Same cooking time.
  2. Without breading – Brush chicken tenders lightly with olive oil and sprinkle seasonings. Adjust cooking time by less than a minute. Note: Depending on the brand of air fryer, cooking time will slightly vary.

Reheat leftovers

Reheat chicken tenders in air fryer at 300 degrees F between 2-10 minutes depending on the amount. Less chicken tenders less cooking time and vice versa. Reheating chicken tenders stored in the refrigerator will require less time than frozen chicken tenders.

Storing leftovers

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container up to 3 days in the fridge or up to a month in the freezer.

FAQ

Is chicken tenders white meat?

Yes, chicken tenders are white meat just like the chicken breast.

Will air fryer remind me to turn chicken tenders?

Yes, it will remind you to flip the tenders if the “TURN REMINDER” feature is enabled.

Is it safe to open air fryer while cooking?

Yes, it is OK to open air fryer to check the food and it will continue cooking once you put the air fryer basket back.

Chicken tender dipped in garlic aoili sauce and more tenders on platter with lemon wedges.

Try other easy air fryer recipes

  • Frozen Orange Chicken in Air Fryer
  • Ham and Cheese Sliders
  • Air Fryer Asparagus
  • Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast with Broccoli and Cheese
Air fried chicken tenders on a platter garnished with fresh parsley flakes, a side of lemon wedges and sauce.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders cooked in air fryer are crispy on the outside and moist in the inside and doesn't require so much oil.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 3
Calories: 408kcal

Ingredients

  • 3 2.17 pounds chicken breast or 2.25 pounds chicken tenders
  • 1 teaspoon oil
  • 1 egg beaten

Breading

  • ½ cup bread crumbs
  • ½ cup panko
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or regular paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¾ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • salt to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Thaw frozen chicken breast in refrigerator overnight then pat dry with paper towel.
  • If using chicken breast, cut each breast into 4 pieces, lengthwise ½ inch thick.
  • Combine spices. In a small container, combine and mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper and salt. Reserve half of seasonings for chicken tenders and the to the other half for breading.
  • Make breading. In another shallow bowl or ziplock bag, combine half of the seasonings with bread crumbs and panko.
  • Beat egg in a shallow bowl.
  • Place and mix chicken tenders in beaten egg. Combine half of the seasonings. Note: Chicken tenders are much tastier when seasoned.
  • Dredge chicken tenders in breading. Shake gently to remove excess breading.
  • Spray air fryer basket lightly with oil.
  • Place chicken tenders in air fryer basket. Preheat and air fry at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes or until cooked through with internal temperature of 165 degrees F using a meat thermometer. Flip tenders halfway through cooking.
  • Serve while hot and crispy.

Notes

  1. Cooking time can slightly vary depending on brand or model of air fryer.
  2. Also, your chicken tenders could be thinner or bigger than mine and cooking time can vary.
  3. I suggest you always cook with the lowest cooking time and add more time if needed. More tips in the post above.
  4. Do not overcrowd tenders in the air fryer. Air should circulate to ensure food is cooked evenly.
  5. Cook in batches if your air fryer is small. Bread the second batch after the first batch is cooked.
  6. Make sure to flip chicken tenders halfway through cooking.
  7. These chicken tenders are delicious on its own. You can serve it with your favorite sauce, if desired. It is delicious with Garlic Aioli sauce. Try my recipe if you like.
  8. Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days in the refrigerator or freeze up to a month.
  9. Reheat leftovers in air fryer at 300 degrees between 2 – 6 minutes depending on how much you have.

Nutrition

Calories: 408kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 199mg | Sodium: 489mg | Potassium: 943mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 383IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 3mg
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