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

Air fryer chicken tenderloins are a quick, easy, and healthy meal option. They are perfect for a weeknight dinner and can be served with a variety of sides and sauces. The cooking time for chicken tenderloins in an air fryer varies depending on the thickness of the chicken, but on average, they take around 7-12 minutes to cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Some recipes suggest a shorter cooking time of 5-6 minutes on each side, while others recommend a longer time of up to 14 minutes. It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit to guarantee that it is cooked thoroughly.

How to season chicken tenderloins

Seasoning chicken tenderloins is a simple process that can be done in a few different ways, depending on your preference. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to season chicken tenderloins:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Before seasoning, it is recommended to pat the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. This helps remove excess moisture and ensures that the seasoning adheres better to the meat. If you're using frozen chicken tenderloins, it's best to thaw them in the fridge overnight or use boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into thin strips.

Step 2: Choose Your Seasonings

You can choose from a variety of seasonings to flavour your chicken tenderloins. Here are some common options:

• Salt
• Pepper
• Paprika (smoked or regular)
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic (fresh, powder, or crushed)
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Thyme
• Basil
• Cayenne pepper
• Chili pepper
• Red pepper flakes

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of seasonings to find your favourite blend. You can also use a pre-made blend like Italian seasoning or make your own custom mix.

Step 3: Apply the Seasonings

Once you've selected your seasonings, it's time to apply them to the chicken. There are two main methods:

Method 1: Dry Rub

Combine all your chosen dry seasonings in a small bowl and mix well. Then, coat the chicken tenderloins generously with this seasoning mix. Make sure to get a nice even coating on all sides of the meat.

Method 2: Marinade

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chicken tenderloins with oil and your chosen seasonings. You can also add other liquids like tamari (a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce) or lemon juice to create a flavourful marinade. Let the chicken sit in this mixture for a while to absorb all the flavours. This method is great if you want your chicken to be extra juicy and flavourful.

Step 4: Cook and Serve

After seasoning, you can cook your chicken tenderloins in an air fryer, oven, grill, or stovetop. Follow your chosen recipe for cooking instructions. Once they're cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F, your seasoned chicken tenderloins are ready to be served!

How to coat chicken tenderloins

Now that you know how long to air-fry your chicken tenderloins, it's time to coat them! Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Tenderloins

Start by patting the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. This will help the coating adhere better to the chicken. Place the tenderloins in a large mixing bowl and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Coating

In a separate bowl, prepare your coating. You can use a variety of ingredients for the coating, such as breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, flour, parmesan cheese, and spices. For a simple option, you can use regular breadcrumbs or Italian breadcrumbs. For a crispier texture, you can opt for panko breadcrumbs. If you want to add some extra flavour, you can include spices such as smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, oregano, and basil. You can also add some grated parmesan cheese to the mix. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a separate bowl.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Now, it's time to coat the chicken tenderloins. Start by drizzling olive oil or another type of oil over the chicken in the mixing bowl and tossing to coat completely. You can also use an egg wash marinade by whisking together an egg, oil, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Dip the chicken tenderloins into the egg mixture and let them sit for a few minutes.

Next, sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken tenderloins, making sure each piece is well-coated. You can also dredge the chicken in the coating mixture, lightly pressing it onto the chicken to ensure an even coating.

Step 4: Air Fry the Chicken

Once the chicken is coated, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd the basket. Set the air fryer to 400°F and air fry the chicken tenderloins for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your chicken tenderloins, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

And that's it! Your chicken tenderloins are now coated and ready to be enjoyed!

How long to cook chicken tenderloins for

Chicken tenderloins are a great, quick option for a weeknight dinner, and cooking them in an air fryer is a healthy, low-carb way to prepare them. The length of time you need to cook chicken tenderloins for depends on a few factors, including whether you are using a breading, the thickness of the tenderloins, and the temperature of your air fryer.

Air Frying Breaded Chicken Tenderloins

If you are cooking breaded chicken tenderloins in the air fryer, you should cook them for around 10–12 minutes at 400°F (200°C). You may need to adjust this time depending on the model and power of your air fryer. It is important to preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken, and to ensure that the chicken is cooked through, it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Air Frying Unbreaded Chicken Tenderloins

If you are cooking unbreaded chicken tenderloins in the air fryer, you should cook them for around 7–10 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Again, the exact time will depend on the model and power of your air fryer, and you should preheat the air fryer before adding the chicken. Unbreaded chicken tenderloins are cooked through when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Tips for Cooking Chicken Tenderloins in an Air Fryer

• Place the chicken tenderloins in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure they cook evenly. If you need to, cook them in batches.
• Always preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken. This helps the outside of the chicken get crispy without overcooking the meat.
• If you are using a breading, do not be gentle when coating the chicken. Press the breading into the meat and shake off any excess. This will ensure that the breading does not fall off during cooking.
• If you are cooking breaded chicken tenderloins, you can prevent sogginess by patting the chicken dry after brining and using enough oil to cover all parts of the breading.

How to reheat chicken tenderloins

There are several ways to reheat chicken tenderloins, including using an air fryer, a preheated oven, a hot skillet, or a microwave. Here is a guide on how to reheat chicken tenderloins in an air fryer, which is the best method to retain their taste and texture.

First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F/190°C. This will prevent any extra moisture from getting into the chicken. If you want, you can spray or brush the chicken with a little olive oil to make it crispier.

Place the chicken tenderloins in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Reheat for 5-7 minutes for chicken tenders, flipping them halfway through for even cooking. For larger pieces of chicken, reheat for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway.

The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces. To ensure the chicken is thoroughly reheated, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C) when perfectly cooked.

Once the chicken is heated through and crispy, remove it from the air fryer tray and let it cool for a minute before serving.

Storing Chicken Tenderloins:

To store chicken tenderloins, place the cooked and cooled chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

When reheating frozen chicken tenderloins, cook them in a preheated air fryer at 360°F for about 12 minutes.

What to serve with chicken tenderloins

Chicken tenderloins are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. Here are some ideas for what to serve with chicken tenderloins:

• Rice or pasta dishes, such as seasoned rice, spicy vodka pasta, or baked mac and cheese with Velveeta.
• Vegetable side dishes, such as buttered peas, glazed baby carrots, or a homemade Caesar salad.
• Oven-baked French fries, rutabaga fries, or sweet potato fries.
• Dipping sauces like BBQ sauce, ranch, or a copycat Cane's sauce.
• Salad, such as a Mediterranean quinoa salad or a simple garden salad.
• Air-fried sides like Brussels sprouts, French fries, sweet potato fries, or a baked potato.
• Other air fryer recipes, such as chicken wings or chicken drumsticks.
• Breaded chicken tenders can be served with traditional sides like regular French fries or sweet potato fries.
• Zucchini tomato orzo with lemon wedges.
• Broccoli and orzo.
• Tater tots, sweet potato fries, or onion rings with dipping sauces like ketchup, ranch, BBQ sauce, or honey sriracha sauce.

Frequently asked questions