Delicious and crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipe that is healthier and easy to make! Try these Air Fried Chicken Tenders recipes for a quick and satisfying meal. These Air Fryer Chicken Strips are perfect for busy weeknights or as a game-day snack!
Ah, Friday evenings—a time to unwind and embrace the joy of relaxation. As I lounged on my couch, my little one came running and asked "Mom, What's for dinner?" At first, the thought of cooking seemed daunting. Then, I decided to make these delicious and effortless Air Fried Chicken Tenders.
With minimal prep, I grabbed a pack of chicken breasts from the fridge, cut them into thin, long strips, sprinkled them with a blend of herbs and spices, and coated them with breadcrumbs. I placed the tenders into the air fryer basket. I nestled into my cozy corner, with a glass of wine, started my favorite movie, while the air fryer worked its magic.
Moments later, a tantalizing aroma filled the air. I opened the air fryer, and the chicken tenders were beautifully done. With a perfect crispy exterior, and an explosion of flavors with every bite. I couldn't resist reaching for a tender, dipping it into my favorite sauce, and savoring the first taste. The crunch was delightful, and the chicken remained juicy and tender.
Kids loved the chicken tenders and begged that I should make them more often. These Air Fried Chicken Tenders are my family favorite! Indulge in the ease, the flavors, and the sheer joy of creating effortless Air Fryer Chicken Tenders that will transport you to weekend bliss.
Jump to:
- Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Ingredients for Air Fry Chicken Tenders
- How to make Air Fried Chicken Tenders
- Serving Air Fried Chicken Tenders
- Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Air Fryer Recipes
- The Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe: Crispy, Perfection!
- Side dishes Suggestions
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders recipes are a popular dish made by coating chicken tenderloins with seasoned breading and cooking them in an air fryer. The air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook the chicken tenders, resulting in a crispy exterior without the need for excessive oil.
Air fryers have gained popularity in recent years due to their ability to cook food quickly and with less oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods.
Air Fried Chicken Tenders are particularly favored because they retain their crispy exterior while staying tender and juicy on the inside. Additionally, air frying eliminates the mess and hassle associated with deep frying, making it a convenient cooking method.
Ingredients for Air Fry Chicken Tenders
The ingredients for Air Fried Chicken Tenders are simple yet essential for creating flavorful and crispy delights. You will need:
Chicken: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken tenderloins. I used chicken breast and cut it into thin, long strips.
Seasonings: A blend of herbs and spices to enhance the flavor of the chicken. Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and thyme or oregano.
Coating: The coating adds an extra layer of crunch. Breadcrumbs (panko, and seasoned breadcrumbs).
Buttermilk: Used to create a sticky surface for the coating to adhere to the chicken. Buttermilk helps chicken tenderloins stay moist and tender when cooked. You can use egg instead of buttermilk.
Cooking oil: Before air frying, lightly coat the chicken with olive oil or cooking spray for even browning and crispiness.
How to make Air Fried Chicken Tenders
Crispy and delicious Air Fryer Chicken Strips made healthier with air fryer cooking! Enjoy these flavorful tenders in just 15 minutes. Perfect for a quick and easy meal.
Prep for Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
Trim any excess fat from the chicken. Cut the chicken into strips. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Note: You can use the store-bought chicken tenderloins
Pour buttermilk into a medium bowl and season with garlic powder, ground mustard powder, thyme or oregano, salt, and pepper, to taste. Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for 10-15 minutes. Note: Buttermilk helps chicken tenderloins stay moist and tender when cooked.
Add the bread crumbs into a large Ziploc bag. Season the crumbs with garlic powder, paprika, and dried parsley.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Preheat the air fryer basket.
Using tongs, remove a few pieces of chicken tenderloins from the marinade, and shake off any excess marinade. Drop them in the crumbs and shake the Ziploc bag, to coat the crumbs evenly.
Remove the mixture-coated chicken and place them on an air fryer basket.
Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray.
Air Fry the chicken tenders for 10-15 minutes, turning halfway through cooking.
Serving Air Fryer Chicken Strips
Allow the cooked chicken tenders to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps retain the juiciness and allows the coating to set, resulting in a crispier texture.
Place the cooked chicken tenders on a wire rack to prevent tenders from getting soggy ready to serve.
Enjoy these healthier, chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce.
Serving Air Fried Chicken Tenders
Endless options! Do let me know in the comments below which is your favorite way to enjoy these Air Fryer Chicken Strips!
Serve the Air Fryer Chicken Strips as a standalone dish or as part of a meal.
Serve with a variety of dipping sauces like barbecue sauce, honey mustard, ranch dressing, or buffalo sauce to accompany the chicken tenders.
Pair the chicken tenders with side dishes like fries, coleslaw, a green salad, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
For a lighter option, serve the chicken tenders on a bed of mixed greens or in a wrap with fresh vegetables and a drizzle of sauce.
Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Preheat the air fryer: Ensure that your air fryer is preheated to the recommended temperature. This helps create a hot cooking environment that contributes to crispiness.
Buttermilk marinade: Marinate the chicken tenders in buttermilk for a few hours or overnight to enhance tenderness and flavor.
Shake off excess coating: After coating the chicken tenders, gently shake off any excess breading or coating to prevent clumping and ensure an even, crispy texture.
Use a light coating of oil: Lightly spray or brush the chicken strips with oil before placing them in the air fryer. This helps in browning and crispness.
Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket: Give the chicken tenders enough space in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation. Overcrowding can result in uneven cooking and less crispy results.
Flip the chicken tenders halfway through cooking: To achieve even browning and crispness, flip the chicken tenders halfway through the cooking process.
Place the cooked chicken tenders on a wire rack: To prevent tenders from getting soggy place the chicken on a wire rack ready to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cooking time for chicken tenders in an air fryer typically ranges from 10 to 15 minutes. It may vary depending on the specific model and thickness of the tenderloins. It's important to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Chicken tenders can turn out soggy in the air fryer if they are not properly coated or if they are overcrowded in the cooking basket, which prevents proper air circulation. To achieve crispiness, ensure a well-coated exterior and cook the chicken tenders in a single layer, leaving space between them for hot air to circulate.
The recommended temperature for cooking chicken in an air fryer is typically between 375°F (190°C) and 400°F (200°C). It's essential to check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches a safe minimum temperature of 165°F (74°C) for poultry.
The cooking time for fully cooked frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer typically ranges from 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the tenders. Follow the instructions for the most accurate cooking time and temperature.
More Air Fryer Recipes
The Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe: Crispy, Perfection!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large skinless boneless chicken breasts or 12 chicken tenderloins
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup Italian Style breadcrumbs
- salt & pepper, to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon thyme or oregano
- ⅛ cayenne pepper (optional)
- ⅛ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- olive oil spray
Instructions
Prep for Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
- Trim any excess fat from the chicken. Cut the chicken into strips. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Note: You can use the store-bought chicken tenderloins.
- Pour buttermilk into a medium bowl and season with garlic powder, ground mustard powder, thyme or oregano, cayenne pepper (optional), salt, and pepper, to taste. Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for 10-15 minutes or overnight. Note: Buttermilk helps chicken tenderloins stay moist and tender when cooked.
- Add the bread crumbs into a large Ziploc bag. Season the crumbs with garlic powder, paprika, and dried parsley.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Preheat the air fryer basket to 400 degrees F.
- Using tongs, remove a few pieces of chicken tenderloins from the marinade, and shake off any excess marinade. Drop them in the crumbs and shake the Ziploc bag, to coat the crumbs evenly.
- Remove the mixture-coated chicken and place them on an air fryer basket.
- Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray.
- Air Fry the chicken tenders for 10-15 minutes, turning halfway through cooking.
Serving Air Fryer Chicken Strips
- Allow the cooked chicken tenders to rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps retain the juiciness and allows the coating to set, resulting in a crispier texture.
- Place the cooked chicken tenders on a wire rack to prevent tenders from getting soggy ready to serve.
- Enjoy these healthier, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Tips for Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Frequently Asked Questions
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
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