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

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook chicken tenders, with most recipes taking less than 20 minutes. The exact cooking time depends on the thickness of the tenders and the model of the air fryer. In general, thinner chicken tenders will cook faster, while thicker ones may require a few extra minutes. It is also important to preheat the air fryer and avoid overcrowding the basket to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.

How to prepare the chicken for cooking

Preparing the chicken for cooking is a crucial step in ensuring your chicken tenders are juicy, tender, and flavourful. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare your chicken for the air fryer:

Step 1: Cut the Chicken

If you are using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, start by placing them on a cutting board. Use a sharp chef's knife to slice the chicken breast into uniform strips about 1 inch thick. Each chicken breast should yield four to six strips, depending on its size and thickness. If you have a thicker chicken breast, cut four to five slices closer together. For a thinner breast, make three to four slices a little farther apart.

Step 2: Marinade the Chicken

In a large bowl, combine the cut chicken strips with your chosen marinade ingredients. This could include oil (such as olive, avocado, or vegetable oil), vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir or toss the chicken strips until they are evenly coated. Cover the bowl and place it in the fridge to marinate. The ideal marination time is between 30 minutes to two hours. Do not exceed 12 hours of marination, as this can over-tenderize the meat and give it a mushy texture.

Step 3: Pre-Cook Preparation

After marination, remove the chicken from the fridge and pat the strips dry with paper towels. This step will help the chicken cook evenly and achieve a crispy texture. Place the dried chicken strips in a large mixing bowl.

Step 4: Seasoning

Now it's time to season your chicken tenders! You can use a variety of seasonings, such as smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix your chosen seasonings together in a small bowl, then sprinkle them evenly over the chicken tenders, ensuring each piece is well-coated.

Step 5: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket

Once your chicken tenders are seasoned, it's time to place them into the air fryer basket. Make sure to arrange them in a single layer, with enough space between each tender to allow for even cooking and a crispy texture. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the tenders in multiple batches.

The best oil to use

Other oils that can be used include vegetable oil, corn oil, and neutral-flavoured oils.

How long to cook the chicken for

The cooking time for chicken tenders in an air fryer depends on the thickness of the meat. Thicker chicken tenders will take longer to cook, and may need to be cooked in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer. It is also important to preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken, to ensure even cooking.

Chicken tenderloins typically take between 7 and 12 minutes to cook in an air fryer, depending on their thickness. It is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken is at least 165°F (73.9°C) when it is fully cooked.

For boneless, skinless chicken breasts, the cooking time will vary depending on the size of the breasts. Small chicken breasts (5 to 6 ounces) will take 8 to 10 minutes, medium breasts (7 to 8 ounces) will take 10 to 12 minutes, and large breasts (9 ounces or more) will take 12 to 14 minutes. It is important to flip the chicken breasts halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.

One recipe recommends brining the chicken breasts in a saltwater solution before cooking to help retain moisture and result in juicier meat. The recommended ratio of salt to water for a brine is 4 tablespoons of salt per 6 cups of water. The chicken should be allowed to sit in the brine for 1 to 2 hours, and then patted dry before being seasoned and cooked.

Another recipe recommends marinating the chicken tenders in a mixture of oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for 30 minutes to 2 hours before cooking. The vinegar in the marinade helps to tenderize the meat.

How to serve the chicken

There are many ways to serve air fryer boneless chicken tenders. Here are some ideas:

• On a salad: This chicken is a great addition to grocery store salad kits, especially the kale caesar version.
• On a wrap or pita with veggies and melted cheese.
• With potato wedges, tater tots, french fries, sweet potato fries, or onion rings as sides.
• In a grain bowl with veggies and pesto.
• On a caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and pesto.
• With dipping sauces like BBQ sauce, ranch, ketchup, honey sriracha sauce, or buffalo sauce.
• Alongside vegetables like asparagus, carrots, or frozen green beans, served with a salad.
• With sides like mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or baked potatoes.

How to store leftovers

Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you don't plan on eating the leftovers within this time frame, it is recommended to store them in the freezer.

To store leftovers in the freezer, wrap the individual chicken tenders in plastic wrap or aluminium foil and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. This will help prevent freezer burn and keep the chicken fresh for longer. Properly stored chicken tenders can be frozen for up to 3-4 months.

When reheating chicken tenders, you can use the air fryer, oven, stovetop, or microwave. It is important to ensure that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure food safety. Here are some reheating instructions for each method:

• Air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook the chicken tenders for 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through.
• Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the chicken tenders in an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with foil and cook for 10-25 minutes, or until heated through.
• Stovetop: Heat a skillet over medium heat with a small amount of oil or butter. Add the chicken tenders, cover, and cook for 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
• Microwave: Place the chicken tenders in a microwave-safe container and cover with a lid. Heat at medium power in intervals of a few minutes, checking the temperature after each interval.

It is important to note that leftover chicken should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours, as bacteria such as Salmonella can multiply quickly. Proper storage and handling of leftovers will help ensure food safety and maintain the quality of the chicken tenders.

Frequently asked questions