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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Air Fryer / Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Published: Apr 25, 2022 · Modified: Sep 4, 2022 by Anna 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    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!

    Chicken tenders in an air fryer basket.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients:
    • Tools needed:
    • How to make chicken tenders in the air fryer?
    • How long to cook chicken tenders in the air fryer?
    • What to serve with chicken tenders?
    • Best tips for making air fryer chicken tenders:
    • Recipe FAQs:
    • More air fryer recipes:
    • Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    This dish is the newest addition to my go-to air fryer chicken recipes. It's so easy and a family favorite around here! The chicken strips are so juicy on the inside and perfectly crispy on the outside. Just as they should be! We serve them with salads, mac, and cheese, or potatoes and dipping sauces. It's an easy dinner option even if you don't have much time. The air fryer cooks them so much faster than the oven!

    You know that if you made my air fryer chicken nuggets or sausage and peppers. This small countertop appliance is practical and a time-saver. Perfect for busy weekdays!

    Ingredients:

    Ingredients for air fryer chicken tenders on a board.
    • chicken tenders: with tendons removed
    • eggs: necessary for the breading to stick to chicken
    • bread crumbs: I used Italian and panko
    • seasoning: salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika

    Tools needed:

    • air fryer: I used my Cosori Dual Blaze air fryer, available on Amazon. (<--- affiliate link)
    • kitchen tongs: helpful for flipping and removing cooked chicken tenders from the air fryer.
    • 2 small bowls for breading;

    How to make chicken tenders in the air fryer?

    • Start by preparing chicken tenders. If you want to remove the tendon strip, follow my directions below.
    • Mix seasoning in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the chicken tenders. Rub it in.
    Raw chicken tenders with seasoning on a white plate.
    • Beat eggs in a small shallow bowl.
    • Mix bread crumbs and panko in another shallow bowl.
    • Dip seasoned tenders in eggs, then bread crumbs.
    • Spray with cooking oil spray while still on a plate.
    Chicken tenders in egg and breadcrumbs in bowls.
    • Cook chicken tenders in batches. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket or rack.
    • Cook for 6 minutes per side.
    Breaded chicken tenders in an air fryer basket.

    How long to cook chicken tenders in the air fryer?

    Chicken tenders cook quite quickly in the air fryer. That is the advantage of this method! I cooked mine for 6 minutes per side at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The internal temperature of each chicken tender should be at least 165 degrees F. As with an oven, each air fryer is different. Check the internal temperature at the 6-minute mark and add more minutes if needed.

    What to serve with chicken tenders?

    Any dipping sauce and a simple side are great choices. For some BBQ sauce or ketchup is all they need. If you have time, try my Chick-fil-A copycat sauce. Simple marinara sauce is delicious with chicken tenders too!

    Best tips for making air fryer chicken tenders:

    • chicken tenders: I always 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.
    • no tenders: use chicken breast and slice it into strips, about 3/4" thick.
    • breading: you can use plain or Italian bread crumbs or a mix of panko and regular bread crumbs for a more crispy texture; gluten-free bread crumbs or almond flour work well too!
    • eggs: they help the breading to stick to the chicken but if you need to omit the eggs, use melted butter.
    • seasoning: use my seasoning as a suggestion and adapt to your preferences; seasoning mixes work well too.
    • oil: I recommend spraying the chicken tenders while they are still on the plate, not in the air fryer basket. This will prevent the oil from baking in the basket and leaving a residue that is hard to clean.

    Recipe FAQs:

    Can I make chicken tenders in the air fryer without breading?

    If you want to skip breading, season the chicken tenders and bake as directed in the recipe. After flipping, you can brush them with a BBQ sauce or continue cooking as they are.

    How to store leftovers?

    I recommend storing leftover chicken tenders in a container with a lid, in the fridge, for up to 4 days.

    How to reheat chicken tenders?

    Reheating in the microwave will make the breading soft while popping them into the air fryer at 350 degrees F for a few minutes will keep them crispy.

    Cooked chicken tenders on a plate.

    More air fryer recipes:

    • Air Fryer Steak
    • Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • Air Fryer Chicken Wings
    • Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe

     If you like this recipe and make it, let me know in the comments below! Don't forget to rate it if you enjoyed it!

    Chicken tenders in an air fryer basket.

    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 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe 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 and sprinkle evenly over the chicken tenders. Rub it in.
    • Beat eggs in a small shallow bowl and bread crumbs and panko in another shallow bowl.
    • Dip seasoned tenders in eggs, then bread crumbs and place on a plate.
    • Spray with cooking oil spray while still on a plate, not in the air fryer basket. This will prevent the oil from baking into the basket and leaving a residue that is hard to clean.
    • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes.
    • Cook chicken tenders in batches. Place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket or rack.
    • Cook for 6 minutes, flip on the other side using kitchen tongs and cook another 6 minutes.
    • Repeat until all chicken tenders are cooked.

    Notes

    • If you don't have chicken tenders, use chicken breast and slice it into strips, about 3/4″ thick.
    • Eggs help the breading to stick to the chicken but if you need to omit them, use melted butter.
    • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

    Nutrition

    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
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

    This post contains some affiliate links, which means that I make a small commission off items you purchase at no additional cost to you.

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • Air Fryer Pizza from Scratch
    • Air Fryer Chicken and Vegetables
    • Air Fryer Peaches
    • Air Fryer Party Mix

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jennifer says

      May 06, 2022 at 5:21 pm

      5 stars
      DELICIOUS. I’m such a kid at heart when it comes to chicken tenders and these were so good!!

      Reply
    2. Melissa says

      May 03, 2022 at 11:38 am

      5 stars
      Yum - the whole family wants me to make these again. Great recipe!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 10, 2022 at 9:50 pm

        Love that! Thanks, Melissa!

        Reply
    3. Betsy says

      May 02, 2022 at 7:07 pm

      5 stars
      These are SO easy and SO delicious! My kids are loving these - especially with "pink ranch" (ketchup mixed with ranch, lol!). Perfect snack or meal. Love it!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        May 10, 2022 at 9:49 pm

        Pink ranch? I need to try that!! Thank you, Betsy!

        Reply

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