Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Chicken tenders are a great, easy meal to make in an air fryer, and a crowd-pleaser for all the family. They're healthier than fried chicken, but still nice and crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You can use a variety of seasonings and coatings, but the basic method is to coat the chicken tenders in seasoned flour and/or breadcrumbs, spray with oil, and cook in the air fryer for around 15 minutes.

How to make chicken tenders in a NuWave air fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C)

Preheating your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) is a crucial step in the cooking process. It ensures that your chicken tenders cook evenly and efficiently, yielding the desired crispy exterior and juicy interior. Here's a detailed guide on preheating and some important considerations:

Step-by-Step Guide to Preheating:

• Refer to the Manufacturer's Instructions: Different air fryer brands may have specific guidelines for preheating. Consult the manual that came with your air fryer to ensure you're following the correct procedure for your particular model.
• Set the Temperature: Adjust the temperature setting on your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is ideal for achieving the desired crispiness without drying out the chicken tenders.
• Allow for Preheating Time: Depending on your air fryer's model and specifications, it may take a few minutes to reach the set temperature. Give it sufficient time to preheat before proceeding to the next step.
• Prepare the Cooking Basket: While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the cooking basket by coating it with cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper. This step ensures that your chicken tenders won't stick to the basket and makes cleanup easier.
• Maintain Temperature: Keep the air fryer closed during the preheating process to maintain the set temperature. Opening the basket or lid may cause heat to escape, lengthening the preheating time.

Tips for Optimal Preheating:

• Basket Size: Ensure that your air fryer basket is large enough to accommodate the number of chicken tenders you plan to cook. Overcrowding the basket can affect cooking performance and prevent even cooking.
• Temperature Accuracy: Not all air fryers have precise temperature controls. It is recommended to invest in an air fryer with accurate temperature settings to ensure optimal cooking results.
• Preheat Time: The time it takes for your air fryer to preheat may vary. More powerful air fryers may preheat faster, while others may take a bit longer. Adjust your cooking schedule accordingly.
• Cooking Spray: If using cooking spray, opt for a neutral oil spray with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. This helps prevent the oil from burning and adds a crisp texture to your chicken tenders.
• Consistency: For the best results, maintain consistency in your preheating process. Use the same air fryer, follow the same steps, and aim for the same temperature each time you cook chicken tenders.

Brine the chicken tenders

Brining your chicken is an essential step to ensure your chicken tenders are juicy and moist. This step involves submerging the chicken in a seasoned water solution, allowing the meat to absorb the flavours and retain moisture during the cooking process.

To brine your chicken tenders, start by mixing water, kosher salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Whisk the solution until the salt and sugar granules are fully dissolved. Then, submerge the chicken tenders in the solution, ensuring they are fully covered. Let the chicken tenders brine for at least 30 minutes, or for best results, leave them to brine overnight in the refrigerator.

After brining, it is crucial to pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel before proceeding to the next step in your recipe. This step will help ensure your chicken tenders are crispy and not soggy.

If you are short on time, an alternative to brining is to sprinkle the chicken tenders with a 2:1 ratio of salt and sugar. Let this mixture absorb into the chicken while you prepare your other ingredients. This simple step will still make a noticeable difference in the flavour and moisture of your chicken tenders.

Combine flour, spices, and breadcrumbs

To combine the flour, spices, and breadcrumbs for your chicken tenders, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, take a large bowl and add your flour. For this recipe, you will need 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Add your spices to the flour. You can use a variety of spices, such as paprika, parsley flakes, seasoned salt, and ground black pepper. You can also add garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, or kosher salt to your flour mixture. The amount of each spice you add can be adjusted to your taste preferences. Mix the flour and spices together until they are well combined.

Next, you can add your breadcrumbs to the mixture. For a crispier texture, you can use panko breadcrumbs. The amount of breadcrumbs you add can vary depending on your desired level of breading. Mix the breadcrumbs with the flour and spice mixture until they are well combined. You can also add shredded coconut to this mixture for a unique flavour.

Once you have combined the flour, spices, and breadcrumbs, you can proceed to coat your chicken tenders. Set up a dredging station with your flour mixture, beaten eggs, and a tray to place your coated chicken tenders. Dip each chicken tender into the flour mixture, ensuring it is well coated. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally, back into the flour mixture. Make sure to press the coating onto the chicken tenders firmly to ensure an even and thick coating.

Repeat this process until all your chicken tenders are coated. You can then proceed to cook them in your NuWave air fryer, following the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Dip chicken in egg mixture, then in flour/breadcrumb mix

To make chicken tenders in a NuWave air fryer, you'll need to start by preparing your chicken and breading. This involves cutting chicken breasts into strips, or buying pre-cut chicken tenders, and preparing a breading mixture. For the breading, you can use a combination of flour, breadcrumbs, and spices like paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. You'll also need to beat an egg in a separate bowl.

Once you have your chicken and breading ready, it's time to start the breading process. This is where you'll dip the chicken in the egg mixture and then coat it with the flour/breadcrumb mix. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Start by dipping each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, making sure to coat both sides evenly.
• After coating with egg, dip the chicken into the flour/breadcrumb mixture. Use your hands to press the mixture firmly onto the chicken, ensuring all sides are coated.
• Gently shake off any excess breading from the chicken.
• Place the breaded chicken on a large dish, cutting board, or baking tray.
• Repeat this process until all your chicken tenders are coated.
• Once all the chicken is breaded, you can spray both sides of each tender with cooking oil or olive oil spray. This will help the breading crisp up and turn golden in the air fryer.

By following these steps, you'll ensure that your chicken tenders have a delicious, crispy coating. This breading technique is essential for achieving that perfect crunchy texture on the outside, while keeping the chicken tender and juicy on the inside.

Cook for 15 minutes at High Power/350°F

Once you've coated the chicken tenders with breading and cooking spray, it's time to cook them in your NuWave Oven. Place the tenders on the 4-inch rack of the oven and set the temperature to High Power/350°F. The cooking time will be 15 minutes for this step.

During this time, the outside of the chicken tenders will start to turn golden brown, and the breading will become crispy. It's important to note that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the model of your NuWave Oven and the size of the chicken tenders. So, keep an eye on them to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

After the first 15 minutes of cooking, you'll need to flip the chicken tenders to ensure even cooking on both sides. This will help ensure that the tenders are cooked thoroughly and that the breading is crispy all over.

While the tenders are cooking, you can prepare any side dishes or sauces that you plan to serve with them. Some popular choices include roasted vegetables, mac and cheese, or various dipping sauces.

Once the first 15 minutes are up, you'll then proceed to the next step of cooking the tenders for an additional 10 minutes at the same temperature setting.

Frequently asked questions