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

Chicken tenders are a great, easy meal to make in an air fryer. They're crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed full of flavour. You can use a variety of spices and seasonings, as well as breadcrumbs, to get the perfect flavour and texture. The best part is that they're quick to make, taking less than 20 minutes in most air fryers. You can also make a big batch and store them in the fridge or freezer to enjoy later. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauce and a side of veggies, fries, or salad for a delicious and healthy meal.

Choosing and preparing your chicken

The first step to making delicious chicken tenders in your air fryer is to choose the right chicken. You can either purchase chicken that is already cut into tenders or tenderloins, or you can cut your own tenders from boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Look for chicken tenders that are of a similar size so that they cook evenly and completely.

Once you have your chicken tenders, it's important to pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning or breading them. This will help ensure that your breading or seasoning sticks to the chicken and doesn't end up soggy.

If you're looking for a simple and low-carb option, you can season your chicken tenders with a blend of spices such as smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil or another neutral-flavoured oil to the chicken before adding the spices to help the flavours stick.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a crispier option, you can bread your chicken tenders before cooking them in the air fryer. To do this, you'll need to set up a breading station with a shallow bowl of beaten eggs and a separate shallow bowl of breadcrumbs or panko. You can also add some flour to the eggs to create a wet batter that will help the breading stick to the chicken. Dip each chicken tender first in the egg mixture, then in the breadcrumbs, and place them on a cutting board or baking tray until you're ready to cook them.

Some recipes also suggest brining your chicken tenders before breading and cooking them. Brining involves submerging the chicken in a seasoned water solution for at least 30 minutes, which adds moisture to the meat and helps keep it juicy during the cooking process.

Brining your chicken

The process of brining is straightforward. Create a brine solution by mixing water, salt and sugar in a large bowl. You can also add other seasonings of your choice to the brine solution, such as garlic powder, onion powder, paprika or cayenne pepper. Whisk the solution until the salt and sugar granules are dissolved. Then, submerge the chicken tenders in the brine solution and let them soak for at least 30 minutes. For best results, you can even leave the chicken to brine overnight in the refrigerator.

After brining, it is important to pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel. This step will ensure that the breading adheres properly to the chicken and helps prevent soggy chicken tenders.

If you are short on time, you can opt to sprinkle the chicken with a 2:1 ratio of salt and sugar instead of brining. This alternative method will still add some moisture and flavour to the chicken while saving you time.

Brining is an excellent way to enhance the taste and texture of your chicken tenders. It is a simple step that makes a big difference in the final product.

Preparing your breading

Breading chicken tenders is a simple process that only requires a few ingredients. The breading will give your chicken tenders a crispy texture and golden colour. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing your breading:

Step 1: Gather your ingredients. You will need eggs, flour, breadcrumbs (both regular and panko), and seasonings of your choice. The eggs will act as a binding agent, the flour will help the egg coating adhere, and the breadcrumbs will provide a crispy texture.

Step 2: Prepare two separate stations for breading. In one station, beat the eggs in a shallow bowl. This will be your wet station. In the other station, combine the breadcrumbs and seasonings in another shallow bowl. This will be your dry station. You can also add some flour to the dry station if you want a thicker breading.

Step 3: Season your chicken tenders. Before breading, it is important to season your chicken tenders with salt and pepper, or any other seasonings you prefer. This will add flavour to your chicken.

Step 4: Dredge the chicken tenders in flour (optional). If you want a thicker breading, you can dredge the chicken tenders in flour before dipping them in the egg mixture. Make sure to coat the tenders evenly on all sides.

Step 5: Dip the chicken tenders in the egg mixture. After seasoning and dredging (if desired), dip each chicken tender into the beaten egg, making sure to coat all sides evenly. Let any excess egg drip off before moving on to the next step.

Step 6: Coat the chicken tenders in breadcrumbs. After dipping in the egg, transfer the chicken tenders to the breadcrumb mixture. Coat the tenders generously with breadcrumbs, patting them onto the surface of the tenders to ensure an even and thick coating.

Step 7: Rest the breaded tenders (optional). Once your tenders are coated in breadcrumbs, you can place them on a cutting board or baking tray and let them rest while you prepare the rest of the tenders. This will give the breading a chance to set.

Step 8: Spray the tenders with oil. Before placing the tenders in the air fryer, spray both sides of each tender with olive oil or another neutral-flavoured oil. This will help the tenders become crispy and golden during cooking.

Now your chicken tenders are ready to be placed in the air fryer! Follow the cooking instructions provided by your air fryer for the best results. Enjoy your delicious and crispy chicken tenders!

Cooking your chicken tenders

Now that you have your ingredients ready, it's time to start cooking! Here is a step-by-step guide to making delicious chicken tenders in your air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

If your chicken breasts are not already cut into tenders, cut them into strips. You can also use chicken tenderloins, which are thin strips of meat found under the breast. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels and place them in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Season the Chicken

Drizzle olive oil or any neutral-flavoured oil of your choice over the chicken tenders and toss to coat them completely. In a separate small bowl, mix your chosen spices and seasonings. You can use a blend of smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried thyme, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this spice mixture evenly over the chicken tenders and mix well.

Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.

Step 4: Cook the Chicken Tenders

Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don't overlap. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding. Spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray or oil.

Air fry the chicken tenders for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The tenders are done when they are golden and crispy on the outside, and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) when checked with a meat thermometer.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and let them cool slightly. Serve them with your favourite dipping sauces, such as BBQ sauce, ranch, honey mustard, or sweet and sour sauce. Enjoy your juicy and crispy chicken tenders!

Bonus: Storing and Reheating

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze them for up to 3-4 months. To reheat, simply pop them back into the air fryer, oven, or microwave until warmed through.

Serving suggestions

These air fryer chicken tenders are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides and sauces. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Dipping Sauces

• Ketchup
• Ranch
• BBQ sauce
• Honey Sriracha sauce
• Sweet and sour sauce
• Honey mustard sauce
• Sweet chili sauce

Vegetable Sides

• Asparagus
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Broccoli
• Roasted green beans with bacon
• Korean broccoli salad
• Air fryer Brussels sprouts

Starch Sides

• French fries
• Tater tots
• Sweet potato fries
• Onion rings
• Baked mac and cheese
• Roasted broccoli
• Air fryer French fries
• Air fryer sweet potato fries
• Air fryer baked potato
• Mashed potatoes
• Homemade applesauce
• Oven-baked steak fries
• Pasta salad

Salad Sides

• Salad with a simple vinaigrette
• Mediterranean quinoa salad
• Caesar salad

Frequently asked questions