Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a tasty meal. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken and the model of the air fryer, but on average, it takes around 7 to 12 minutes to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer.

Chicken tenderloins take 7-10 minutes to cook in an air fryer

To cook chicken tenderloins in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F. Then, add the chicken tenderloins to a mixing bowl with some oil and your chosen spices. Mix well until the chicken is coated. Next, add the tenderloins to the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Cook for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. After cooking, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

You can check that the chicken is cooked by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be at least 165°F.

Chicken tenderloins can be served with a variety of sides, such as French fries, tater tots, sweet potato fries, onion rings, asparagus, carrots, or green beans. They can also be served on a salad, in a wrap, or with a dipping sauce such as ranch, BBQ sauce, or honey mustard.

Preheat the air fryer to 375-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Not only does it help ensure even cooking, but it can also impact the texture and taste of your chicken tenders. When you preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature range of 375-400°F, you create the ideal environment for achieving that signature crispy exterior and juicy interior that makes air-fried chicken tenders so delicious.

By preheating your air fryer, you bring the cooking chamber to the desired temperature before adding the chicken tenders. This initial heat-up period is crucial because it ensures that the cooking process starts as soon as the tenders hit the air fryer basket. No time is wasted, and the tenders begin sizzling and crisping up immediately. This helps create that irresistible crunchy texture on the outside while keeping the meat tender and juicy on the inside.

Additionally, preheating your air fryer helps prevent overcooking or drying out the chicken tenders. When you add tenders to a preheated air fryer, you can trust that the indicated cooking time will yield the desired doneness. This precision in cooking is essential for achieving the perfect result and avoiding undercooked or overcooked chicken.

Moreover, preheating your air fryer to the optimal temperature range ensures that any seasonings or breading you've applied will cook properly. For example, a preheated air fryer will help create a crispy, golden breading that seals in the juices and enhances the overall flavour of the tenders. It's a key step in taking your chicken tenders from bland to mouth-wateringly delicious.

Lastly, preheating your air fryer to 375-400°F sets the stage for consistent cooking results. Each time you cook chicken tenders in a preheated air fryer, you can expect similar outcomes in terms of texture and taste. This consistency is especially important when cooking for a crowd or aiming for a particular presentation.

Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper

To make juicy and tender chicken tenders in an air fryer, you'll first want to pat your chicken dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl. This step is important to ensure that the chicken is not soggy and that the outside gets as crispy as possible.

Next, you'll want to season the chicken with salt and pepper. You can also add other spices like smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano, and dried basil. Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl, then sprinkle them evenly over the chicken tenders.

Be sure to coat the chicken tenders completely with the spices by tossing them in the mixing bowl. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil to help the spices stick and add some extra flavour.

Once the chicken tenders are seasoned, they are ready to be cooked in the air fryer! For best results, preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. This will allow them to cook evenly. Depending on the thickness of your chicken tenders, they should take around 10-12 minutes to cook, flipping them once halfway through the cooking time.

To check if the chicken tenders are done, use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bread the chicken with flour, egg, and panko

Breading chicken is a simple process, but it can be a little messy, so be prepared! You'll need three separate bowls or plates for the flour, egg, and panko.

First, take your chicken tender and coat it in the flour. Make sure to shake off any excess. Next, dip the floured chicken into the beaten egg, ensuring the entire piece is coated. Finally, dip the chicken into the panko, again shaking off any excess. Place the breaded chicken tender onto a large plate or chopping board and repeat the process with the remaining tenders.

Some recipes suggest double-dipping the chicken tenders in the flour and egg before coating with panko to create an extra thick crust. You can also add extra spices and seasonings to the flour for an added flavour boost. For example, one recipe suggests combining flour with paprika, parsley, seasoned salt, and pepper.

Once all your chicken tenders are breaded, they're ready to be cooked in the air fryer!

Spray the chicken with oil and cook in a single layer

Spraying the chicken tenders with oil and cooking them in a single layer is an important step in the air-frying process. This ensures that the tenders cook evenly and helps to create a crispy exterior.

When preparing the chicken, it is best to use a cooking spray or a neutral-flavoured oil, such as avocado, olive, or vegetable oil. Spraying the tenders with oil will help to create a crunchy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy.

Once the chicken has been seasoned and/or breaded, it should be placed in the air fryer basket in a single layer, with space between each tender to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tenders in batches to avoid overcrowding.

During the cooking process, it is important to flip the tenders halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning. The total cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and the model of the air fryer, but it typically ranges from 10 to 12 minutes for tenders without breading and 15 to 20 minutes for breaded tenders.

By spraying the chicken tenders with oil and cooking them in a single layer, you will achieve the best results in terms of texture and flavour.

Frequently asked questions