Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Chicken tenders are a great, easy meal to make in an air fryer, and only take around 10-15 minutes to cook. There are a variety of ways to season and bread your chicken tenders, and they can be served with a variety of sauces and sides.

How to make chicken tenders from scratch

Chicken tenders are a great, tasty, and quick meal to make from scratch in an air fryer. They are healthier than fried chicken and are super crispy with way less oil.

Ingredients

• Chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
• Olive oil (or vegetable/corn oil)
• Smoked paprika (or normal paprika)
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Dried thyme, oregano, and basil (or Italian seasoning)
• Salt and pepper
• Breadcrumbs (optional)
• Eggs (optional)
• Flour (optional)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl.
• Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat completely.
• Mix your chosen seasonings together in a small bowl. You can season the chicken with just salt and pepper, or you can add paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, thyme, oregano, basil, or Italian seasoning.
• Sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over the chicken tenders.
• Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer to allow them to cook evenly. If you need to, cook them in batches.
• Air fry the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cooking time, until they are cooked through and golden on the outside. The internal temperature should be 165°F when using a meat thermometer.
• If you want to add breadcrumbs, before placing the chicken in the air fryer, dip each tender first in egg and then in the breadcrumbs. Spray both sides of the chicken generously with oil.
• If your chicken tenders are thicker, they may take a little longer to cook. Always let the air fryer preheat before adding the chicken to ensure the outside is crispy.

Serving Suggestions

Chicken tenders can be served with a variety of sides and sauces. For a low-carb option, serve with asparagus, carrots, green beans, or a salad. For a more traditional option, serve with French fries, tater tots, sweet potato fries, or onion rings. Popular dipping sauces include ketchup, ranch, BBQ sauce, honey sriracha sauce, and honey mustard sauce.

How to brine chicken tenders

Brining is a great way to ensure your chicken tenders are juicy and full of flavour. It's a simple process of soaking your meat in a salt water solution before cooking. This guide will take you through the steps to brine chicken tenders and offer some tips for the best results.

Step 1: Prepare the Brine

The basic ingredients for a brine are salt and water. For chicken tenders, a standard brine recipe is 1/4 cup of kosher salt dissolved in 1 quart (4 cups) of warm water. You can also use 4 cups of cold water with 6 tablespoons of Diamond Crystal kosher salt, 4.5 tablespoons of Morton's kosher salt, or 3 tablespoons of fine or table salt. Make sure the salt is fully dissolved before adding the chicken.

Step 2: Add Aromatics (Optional)

Some people like to add aromatics to their brine for extra flavour. This could include peppercorns, crushed garlic, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, or other herbs and spices. However, this may not make a noticeable difference for shorter brine times.

Step 3: Brine the Chicken

Add the chicken tenders to the brine and let them sit for 15 minutes to 2 hours. The ideal brining time is about 30 minutes, but even a quick 15-minute brine can make a difference. Avoid brining for longer than 2 hours, as the meat may become mushy.

Step 4: Cook or Store the Chicken

After brining, you can cook the chicken tenders right away or store them for later. If cooking immediately, pat the chicken dry with paper towels but do not rinse it. You can then cook the chicken using your preferred method, such as air frying, baking, grilling, or pan-frying.

If storing for later, remove the chicken from the brine and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or wrap it well and freeze for up to 2 months.

Tips:

• Do not add extra salt to your recipe after brining, as the chicken will already be well-seasoned.
• Rinsing the chicken after brining is not necessary and may increase bacteria in your kitchen area.
• Brining is especially useful for thin cuts of meat, like chicken tenders, as they will absorb the brine quickly and won't require days of soaking like larger cuts.
• For a dry brine, sprinkle the chicken with salt and leave it uncovered in the fridge, but this method is less common for chicken tenders.

How to cook frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer

Cooking frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy, golden finish without the need for lots of oil.

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer to 400°F. While it's heating up, take your frozen chicken tenders out of the bag and lay them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they don't overlap, as you want to ensure even cooking.

Some recipes suggest spraying the tenders with a light coating of oil, such as avocado or olive oil, at this point. You can also season the tenders with salt and pepper, or a blend of seasonings like smoked paprika, onion and garlic powder, thyme, oregano, and basil.

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the tenders. Set the timer for 8 minutes, but note that the timing may vary depending on the size and thickness of your tenders, as well as the model of your air fryer.

After 8 minutes, flip the tenders and continue cooking for another 5-8 minutes. The total cooking time should be around 13-16 minutes. You'll know they're done when the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. To be sure, you can use an instant-read thermometer—the internal temperature should be at least 165°F.

Tips:

• Always preheat your air fryer before adding the frozen tenders to ensure the outside gets crispy without overcooking the inside.
• If you want to cook frozen fries with your tenders, go right ahead! They cook at the same temperature and for a similar amount of time.
• If you're cooking breaded frozen tenders, it's a good idea to let them sit in the air fryer basket for 5 minutes after cooking to ensure the middle gets warm all the way through.
• For an extra crispy finish, give the tenders a light spray of oil before cooking.

Enjoy your crispy, golden chicken tenders!

How to store leftover chicken tenders

When storing leftover chicken tenders, it's important to note that they will stay fresh for a shorter period of time in the fridge than in the freezer. If you've cooked chicken tenders and want to eat them within the next few days, storing them in an airtight container in the fridge is the best option. They will stay fresh for up to 3-5 days. However, if you don't plan on eating them soon, it's better to freeze them.

To store leftover chicken tenders in the fridge, let the tenders cool down to room temperature first. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or storage bag. They will stay fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days, according to the USDA. Some sources suggest they can last up to 5 days.

If you want to freeze leftover chicken tenders, wrap the individual tenders in plastic wrap or aluminium foil first. Then, place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 4 months.

• Chicken Caesar wraps
• Honey Mustard Chicken Tacos
• Chicken Parmesan
• Buffalo chicken wraps or sub
• Chicken fried rice
• Chicken Katsu
• Fried chicken tender sandwich with buttermilk ranch dressing
• Chicken salad
• Chicken and waffles
• Chicken pizza

What to serve with air fryer chicken tenders

Air fryer chicken tenders are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides, depending on your preferences and dietary needs. Here are some ideas for what to serve with your air fryer chicken tenders:

Carb-loaded Options:

• French fries
• Sweet potato fries
• Tater tots
• Onion rings
• Mac and cheese

Vegetable Sides:

• Asparagus
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Zucchini
• Tomatoes
• Mediterranean quinoa salad
• Salad

Dipping Sauces:

• Ketchup
• Ranch
• BBQ sauce
• Honey sriracha sauce
• Honey mustard
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Sweet chilli sauce
• Asian dipping sauce

Other Sides:

• Orzo
• Lemon wedges

These are just a few suggestions, but feel free to get creative and serve your air fryer chicken tenders with your favourite sides and sauces!

Frequently asked questions