Ella Walter
Chicken tenderloins are a versatile, quick, and easy meal to make in an air fryer. They can be served with a variety of sides and sauces, and they're perfect for a weeknight dinner. The cooking time for chicken tenders in an air fryer varies depending on the brand and size of the air fryer, the thickness of the chicken, and the desired level of crispiness. On average, chicken tenderloins take around 7 to 12 minutes to cook in an air fryer, with some recipes suggesting a base cooking time of 8 minutes at 400°F (200°C) and then adjusting from there.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat temperature | 190C/375F or 400F (200C) |
| Temperature to cook at | 400F (200C) |
| Chicken preparation | Pat dry with paper towels, then drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat completely |
| Seasoning | Flour, paprika, parsley, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, chili pepper, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, white pepper, dried parsley, rosemary, thyme, cumin, mustard powder, grated parmesan, or any other seasonings of your choice |
| Breading | Breadcrumbs, panko, or egg |
| Spices | Cayenne pepper |
| Sides | French fries, sweet potato fries, or a simple vegetable like Korean Broccoli Salad or Roasted Green Beans with Bacon |
| Cooking time | 7-12 minutes, flipping halfway through |
| Internal temperature | 165F (74C) |
| Resting time | 5 minutes |
| Storage | Place the cooked and cooled chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-4 days. To freeze: Keep them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bags and freeze for up to 3 months |
| Reheating | Reheat in the air fryer, a preheated oven, a hot skillet, or a microwave |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your chicken tenders cook evenly and helps to achieve that desirable crispy exterior without overcooking the meat.
Most sources recommend preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). However, one source suggests a lower temperature of 375°F, which may be better suited to more delicate chicken or to avoid overcooking if your air fryer runs hot.
The time required to preheat your air fryer will depend on the model and its power. Some sources suggest preheating for a few minutes, while others recommend a longer period of time to ensure the desired temperature is reached. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific air fryer model.
While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your chicken tenders. This includes patting them dry, seasoning, and coating them in oil or another wet mixture, such as egg or yogurt, to ensure they remain moist during cooking. You can also use this time to prepare any side dishes or sauces that will accompany your chicken tenders.
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Oil and season the chicken
Oiling and seasoning the chicken is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures the chicken is juicy and full of flavour.
Firstly, you will need to pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. This will help the oil and seasoning stick to the chicken. Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. You can also use an olive oil spray for this step. Toss the chicken in the bowl to ensure it is completely coated.
Next, it is time to season the chicken. There are endless options for seasoning blends. You can use salt and pepper, or a blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. You could also try a blend of Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and ground paprika. If you like spicy food, add some cayenne pepper to your blend. If you are short on time, you can use a pre-made seasoning blend, such as taco seasoning or homemade seasoned salt. If you want to add extra flavour, you can marinate the chicken in Italian dressing for 10 minutes to 24 hours before cooking.
Once you have added your chosen seasoning to the chicken, toss the chicken again to ensure it is completely coated.
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Cook time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for chicken tenders in an air fryer depend on the thickness of the chicken and the model and power of the air fryer. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes.
For unbreaded chicken tenders, cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through. The tenders are done when they are golden and crispy on the outside and have an internal temperature of 165°F.
For breaded chicken tenders, the cooking time is a bit shorter. Cook for 5-6 minutes on each side, turning halfway, until the chicken is cooked through and golden and crispy on the outside.
Some people prefer to cook chicken tenders at a lower temperature of 375°F for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. This results in juicy and tender chicken.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and size of your air fryer, so it is recommended to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Additionally, thicker chicken tenders may take longer to cook, so it is best to use a meat thermometer to ensure they are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
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Rest and serve
Once you've cooked your chicken tenders in the air fryer, it's important to let them rest before serving. This helps the meat retain its juices and ensures a moist, tender bite. Depending on the recipe you've followed, you'll want to let the chicken rest for at least 5 minutes before serving. This gives the meat a chance to relax and allows the juices to redistribute throughout the tenderloin.
During the resting period, it's a good idea to transfer the chicken to a serving dish or cutting board. This will free up your air fryer basket in case you're cooking in batches or need to use it for another dish. Covering the chicken loosely with foil will help keep it warm during the resting period.
If you've cooked your chicken tenders with a breading, such as panko breadcrumbs, the resting period is also a good time to ensure they're nice and crispy. The breading should be a deep golden brown. If you find that the breading is looking a little pale or soggy, you can always pop the chicken back into the air fryer for an additional minute or two to crisp it up.
While your chicken rests, you can also prepare any desired garnishes or finishing touches. A squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley are classic choices. You could also serve your chicken tenders with a side of lemon wedges, allowing your diners to add a bright, acidic touch to their dish as they please.
Finally, don't forget to consider food safety. Chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C) to ensure any harmful bacteria are eliminated. You can use a meat thermometer to check this. If your chicken hasn't reached this temperature, it's not safe to eat and should be returned to the air fryer to cook for a little longer.
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Store and reheat
Leftover chicken tenders should be allowed to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should be consumed within 3 to 4 days. To extend their shelf life, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to reheat the chicken tenders, take them out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for a while. Preheat your air fryer to 350-360°F (182°C). Lightly spray the tenders with cooking oil to enhance their texture and crispiness.
Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Reheat for 3 to 5 minutes, or 4 to 7 minutes, depending on the source, checking for doneness halfway through. The chicken tenders are ready when their internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
You can also reheat chicken tenders in a preheated oven, a hot skillet, or the microwave if you're short on time. However, the air fryer is the preferred method as it uses hot air circulation to retain crispiness and prevent sogginess.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 7 to 12 minutes to cook raw chicken tenders in an air fryer, depending on the thickness of the chicken and the model and power of the air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to around 375°F to 400°F (200°C) when cooking chicken tenders.
Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Then, place them in a mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil or neutral oil spray, tossing to coat completely. Sprinkle seasonings over the chicken tenders or bread them before air frying.
Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken tenders has reached 165°F. The chicken tenders should also be golden and crispy on the outside when done.
Yes, you can store cooked and cooled chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, cook in the air fryer, a preheated oven, or a hot skillet for 4 to 5 minutes at 375°F until warmed through and crispy.
