Air-Fried Chicken Tenderloins: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Chicken tenderloins are a great, quick and easy meal to make in an air fryer. They are versatile, tasty, and can be made in under 15 minutes. You can make them with or without breadcrumbs, and they can be served with a variety of dips and sides.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures your chicken tenderloins cook evenly and quickly, so don't skip it!

Different recipes suggest different temperatures for preheating your air fryer. Some sources suggest preheating to 400°F, while others suggest 375°F or 190°C. Check your air fryer's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Once you've set the temperature, give your air fryer a few minutes to preheat. One source suggests preheating for four minutes, while another recommends greasing the air fryer basket during this time to prevent the chicken from sticking.

Season the chicken

Seasoning the chicken is a crucial step in ensuring your chicken tenderloins are juicy and flavourful. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, pat the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. This step is important as it helps the spices and herbs stick to the chicken and also promotes a crispy exterior.

Next, prepare your spice blend. While you can use a variety of spices, a simple blend of smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper is a great option. You can also add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick. Mix these spices together in a small bowl. If you're using a wet batter, add a teaspoon of the spice blend to the batter.

Now, it's time to coat the chicken with the spices. Place the chicken tenderloins in a large mixing bowl and drizzle them with olive oil. Toss the chicken to ensure it's completely coated in oil. Then, sprinkle the spice blend evenly over the chicken tenderloins and mix well until everything is combined.

At this point, you can also add some creativity to your dish by experimenting with different spice blends. For example, you could try a blend of kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, try adding some white pepper, dried parsley, rosemary, thyme, cumin, or mustard powder to your spice mix.

Once the chicken is seasoned to your liking, you're ready to move on to the next step of cooking your juicy and flavourful chicken tenderloins in the air fryer!

Add the chicken to the air fryer

Now, carefully place the chicken tenderloins into the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. It's important to leave enough space between them to achieve even cooking and a crispy texture. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the chicken in batches. Lightly mist the tops of the tenders with cooking spray or avocado oil spray, or brush them with oil, to promote a crispy exterior.

Close the air fryer and cook the chicken for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, flip the tenderloins and cook for another 3 to 6 minutes, depending on their size. Check the internal temperature of the chicken with an instant-read thermometer to ensure it has reached 165°F, which is the safe temperature for consuming chicken. Smaller tenders will likely be done after a total of 8 minutes, while larger ones may take up to 11 minutes.

Once the chicken is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your juicy and tender air-fried chicken!

Air fry the chicken

Now that you've prepped your chicken tenderloins, it's time to cook them in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

First, preheat your air fryer to 375°F-400°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent the chicken from sticking. This step is important to ensure your chicken doesn't stick to the basket and makes for easier cleanup.

Next, place the seasoned or breaded chicken tenderloins into the air fryer basket. Ensure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Cooking in batches may be necessary depending on the size of your air fryer.

Now, it's time to air fry! Cook the chicken tenderloins for about 7-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your tenderloins and the model of your air fryer, so adjust accordingly. Aim for an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure the chicken is cooked through.

Once they're done, transfer the tenderloins to a serving dish and let them rest for a few minutes. This helps retain the juices and ensures they are nice and tender.

Finally, serve with your choice of sides and sauces. Some popular options include French fries, sweet potato fries, salad, and various dipping sauces like BBQ sauce, ranch, or honey mustard. Enjoy your delicious and crispy air-fried chicken tenderloins!

Rest and serve

Once your chicken tenderloins are cooked, remove them from the air fryer basket and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. You can serve them with a squeeze of lemon juice and some chopped parsley.

If you're looking for side dishes, you could try French fries, tater tots, sweet potato fries, onion rings, asparagus, carrots, or frozen green beans. For a low-carb option, try serving them with a simple vegetable side like broccoli salad or roasted green beans with bacon.

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.

Frequently asked questions