Air-Frying Tyson Chicken Tenders: How Long Does It Take?

If you're looking for a quick and easy meal, look no further than air-fried chicken tenders. In this article, we will discuss how long to put Tyson chicken tenders in the air fryer to achieve the perfect level of crispiness on the outside and tenderness on the inside. We will also provide tips and tricks for getting the best results, as well as suggestions for serving and storing your chicken tenders.

Cooking time: 10-14 minutes

Cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside texture. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect cook within 10-14 minutes:

Preparation:

Before you begin, ensure your chicken tenders are frozen. This guide is based on cooking frozen chicken tenders, which may vary slightly from fresh tenders. Remove the desired amount of tenders from the freezer bag. If you're using Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins, it's recommended to cook only half a bag at a time to avoid overcrowding the air fryer.

Cooking:

Place the frozen tenders into the air fryer basket. It's important not to stack them; instead, arrange them side by side in a single layer. This ensures the circulating hot air can reach all sides of the tenders.

Set your air fryer to a temperature between 360°F and 400°F (180°C and 204°C). The higher the temperature, the crispier your tenders will be. For a basic cook, 10-14 minutes at this temperature range should be sufficient.

If you want to get fancier, consider flipping your tenders halfway through the cooking process. This can help ensure even cooking and browning.

Serving:

Once the tenders are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute or two. Check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (73°C) to ensure they're fully cooked. You can use a meat thermometer for this, or carefully tear one open to inspect.

Now, it's time to enjoy! Serve your tenders with your favourite dipping sauces, such as BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or even a Dr. Pepper BBQ sauce.

Tips for Extra Crispiness:

If you're a fan of extra crispy chicken tenders, there are a few things you can do. Firstly, consider spraying the tenders with olive oil before placing them in the air fryer. This will enhance the crispiness of the coating.

Secondly, you can increase the cooking temperature. Try cooking at 400°F (204°C) for the final 2-4 minutes of the cooking process. This will give your tenders an extra crispy boost.

By following these steps and adjusting the timing and temperature to your preferences, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy chicken tenders from your air fryer in no time!

Temperature: 380F/193C

Cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy on the outside and tender on the inside texture. Here is a step-by-step guide for cooking them at 380F/193C:

Firstly, remove the desired amount of frozen chicken tenders from the freezer bag. It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer, so depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches. Place the tenders into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not stacked on top of each other. You can spray the chicken with oil if you want, but it is not necessary.

Set your air fryer to 380F/193C and air fry the chicken tenders for 12-14 minutes. For the best results, flip the tenders halfway through the cooking process. After removing the tenders from the air fryer, let them rest for 1-2 minutes before serving.

To ensure your chicken tenders are fully cooked, they should reach an internal temperature of 165F/73C. You can use a meat thermometer to check this. Alternatively, you can tear one open to inspect it.

By following these steps, you will have perfectly cooked chicken tenders that are tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. Enjoy them as a quick and easy meal on their own or with your favourite dipping sauce!

No need to defrost

You can cook Tyson chicken tenders from frozen, without defrosting them first. This is the best way to stop them from getting soggy.

First, remove the chicken tenders from their packaging and rinse them under cold running water to wash off any ice. Pat the tenders dry with paper towels.

Next, place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. Spray the tenders lightly with avocado oil or olive oil and season with salt and pepper, or any other seasoning you like.

Cook the chicken tenders in the air fryer at 360 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius) for 15 minutes. Then turn them over and cook for another 7 to 8 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

If you want your chicken tenders to be extra crispy, you can cook them for a couple of minutes at the highest setting, usually 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

Don't overcrowd the air fryer

To cook Tyson chicken tenders in an air fryer, it is recommended that you cook them for 10 minutes at 180°C/360°F. If you want them crispier, cook for a further 2 minutes at 200°C/400°F and spray with extra virgin olive oil.

Now, onto why you shouldn't overcrowd your air fryer:

When using an air fryer, it's important to avoid the temptation of overcrowding the appliance. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, and if the air fryer basket is filled to the brim, the air cannot move around the food properly. This will result in food that is not cooked correctly or crisped up. The University of Nebraska Lincoln notes that without access to hot air, the food will steam instead of crisp up. Therefore, it is best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for how much food to load into your air fryer and not stack food on top of each other.

By overcrowding your air fryer, you are impeding airflow and retaining steam. This can lead to soggy food instead of the desired crispy texture. It is better to make two batches of great food than one batch of soggy food. Cooking in batches will also allow for better airflow in each batch, resulting in faster and better air fryer cooking.

There are some exceptions to the overcrowding rule. Certain vegetables, such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and other roasted vegetables, can be stacked and loaded, depending on the recipe. This is because these vegetables can be air-fried even when crowded, and the recipe may call for steaming rather than crisping. However, it is still important to stir or shake the vegetables halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Flip halfway through

To ensure your chicken tenders are cooked evenly, it's important to flip them halfway through the cooking process. This will ensure that the tenders are crispy and golden brown on both sides.

When cooking Tyson chicken tenders in an air fryer, it is recommended to cook them at 380°F/193°C for 12-14 minutes. Therefore, you should flip the tenders after 6-7 minutes.

If you are cooking the tenders from frozen, it is important to note that you should not stack them in the air fryer. They should be placed in a single layer to allow the circulating air to touch all sides of the chicken.

Additionally, while some recipes suggest spraying the tenders with olive oil or canola oil before cooking, this is not necessary. However, if you want your tenders to be extra crispy, you can spray them with olive oil and cook them for an additional 2 minutes at the highest setting (usually 200°C/400°F).

By following these instructions and flipping your tenders halfway through, you will achieve the desired level of crispiness and doneness on both sides of your chicken tenders.

Frequently asked questions