Cody Casey
Chicken tenderloins are a great, quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer. They're versatile, juicy, and can be made in under 15 minutes. You can use a variety of seasonings and spices to make them as crispy as you like, and they're a fantastic option for a weeknight dinner. In this article, we'll cover everything from preparation and cooking to storing and reheating your chicken tenderloins, so you can master this delicious dish.
Characteristics and Values Table for Air Frying Fresh Chicken Tenderloins
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat temperature | 350-400°F (175-200°C) |
| Preheat time | 3-5 minutes |
| Pat dry | Use paper towels |
| Oil | Olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, or butter |
| Seasoning | Cayenne pepper, chili pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, Italian seasoning, grated parmesan, etc. |
| Cooking temperature | 360-400°F |
| Cooking time | 7-13 minutes |
| Internal temperature | 165°F (74°C) |
| Resting time | 5 minutes |
| Serving suggestions | Lemon juice, chopped parsley, BBQ sauce, ranch, buffalo sauce, etc. |
| Storage | Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
| Reheating | Air fryer, preheated oven, hot skillet, or microwave |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right chicken tenderloins
When selecting your chicken tenderloins, consider the thickness of the cut. Thicker cuts will take longer to cook through, and may require a meat thermometer to ensure they are cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F. To achieve an even cook, it is also important to pat your chicken tenderloins dry with a paper towel before cooking. This will help to remove any excess moisture, which can affect the cooking process and prevent your tenderloins from achieving that coveted crispy texture.
You can also opt to marinate your chicken tenderloins before cooking, which will enhance their flavour. Popular marinades include honey and Dijon mustard, or a blend of spices such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. If you are using a marinade, be sure to pat the tenderloins dry again after removing them from the marinade, and season them just before cooking.
Finally, when preparing your chicken tenderloins for cooking, it is important to arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding. This will ensure that the hot air can circulate properly and prevent uneven cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook your tenderloins in batches to avoid overcrowding.
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Preparing the chicken
Next, you will need to season the chicken. You can use a variety of seasonings, depending on your preference. Some common options include garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You can also add some spice with cayenne pepper, or try something different like rosemary, thyme, or cumin. Mix your chosen seasonings in a small bowl, then sprinkle them evenly over the chicken tenders. You can also add a bit of spice to your flour if you are breading your chicken.
If you want to bread your chicken tenders, you will need flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. First, dip each tenderloin into a bowl of whisked egg, then shake off any excess. Next, dip the chicken into the breadcrumbs, ensuring it is evenly and fully covered. You can add some grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
Finally, place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking.
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Cooking the chicken
Cooking chicken tenderloins in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. The first step is to preheat your air fryer. Most sources recommend preheating to 390°F–400°F, with one source suggesting 350°F and another 375°F. The time required for preheating will vary, but it should take no longer than 5 minutes.
While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the chicken. Pat the tenderloins dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil or avocado oil and toss to ensure the chicken is coated completely. Add your choice of seasonings and toss again until the seasonings are combined. You can also coat the chicken in flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs before cooking for a crispier texture. If you choose to do this, dip each tenderloin into a bowl of whisked egg, shake off any excess, and then dip into a bowl of breadcrumbs, ensuring the chicken is evenly and fully covered.
Once the chicken is prepared and the air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the chicken. Place the tenderloins in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. Lightly spray or brush the basket with oil to prevent sticking. Air fry for 7–12 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken and how crispy you like it. For thicker cuts, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is at least 165°F.
When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. You can serve it with a squeeze of lemon juice and chopped parsley, or your favorite dipping sauce.
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Resting the chicken
During the resting period, the chicken will continue to cook due to carry-over cooking, which will bring the internal temperature up to 165°F, making it safe to eat. This is especially important if you have removed the chicken from the air fryer at a lower internal temperature of 155-160°F.
While the chicken rests, it is also a good opportunity to prepare any sides or salads to accompany the meal. You can also use this time to squeeze some lemon juice and chop parsley to serve with the chicken.
The resting period is an essential step to ensure the chicken is cooked properly and safely, while also enhancing the flavour and texture of the meat. This step is often overlooked, but it is key to ensuring the chicken is juicy and tender, rather than dry.
Remember, the internal temperature of the chicken will continue to rise during the resting period, so it is important to remove the chicken from the air fryer a few degrees early to prevent overcooking.
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Storing and reheating the chicken
Storing your chicken tenderloins
If you have any leftover chicken tenderloins, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to four days. To do this, place the cooked and cooled chicken in an airtight container. You can also freeze them for up to three months. Keep them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bags.
Reheating your chicken tenderloins in the air fryer
Reheating chicken tenderloins in the air fryer is a great way to enjoy crispy, juicy chicken all over again. The air fryer helps to revitalise your leftover chicken, giving it a fresh-out-the-fryer taste and texture.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F/190°C.
- Place a single layer of room-temperature chicken in the air fryer basket. Avoid piling pieces on top of each other, as this will prevent the skin from becoming crispy and can make your chicken dry.
- For extra crispiness, spray or brush the chicken with a small amount of oil.
- Reheat the chicken for 5-7 minutes, or up to 8-10 minutes for larger pieces.
- Flip the chicken halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and crispiness on both sides.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C) when perfectly cooked.
- If your chicken has turned out too oily, give it a second spin in the air fryer for 10 minutes. This will help to remove excess oil and give you a perfectly crisp crust.
- You can also reheat frozen chicken tenderloins in the air fryer. Just be sure to thaw them first and follow the same steps as above.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 7-12 minutes to cook chicken tenderloins in an air fryer, depending on the thickness of the chicken and the model of the air fryer.
Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F.
Pat the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. Then, place them in a mixing bowl and drizzle with oil, tossing to coat. Mix your chosen seasonings in a separate bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the chicken.
Place the chicken tenderloins in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Air fry for 7-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F when they are cooked.
Place the cooked and cooled chicken tenderloins in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
