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

Chicken tenderloins are a versatile and delicious meal that can be made in an air fryer in under 15 minutes. They are a great option for a quick weeknight dinner and can be served with a variety of sides and sauces. The air fryer ensures that the chicken is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This article will explore different recipes and tips for making chicken tenderloins in an air fryer, including seasoning suggestions, cooking times, and serving ideas.

Crispy and juicy chicken tenderloins

Chicken tenderloins are a great option for a quick and easy weeknight dinner. They are versatile, tasty, and can be made in an air fryer in under 15 minutes. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide to making delicious, crispy, and juicy chicken tenderloins in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

• Chicken tenderloins
• Olive oil or another neutral-flavoured oil
• Spices (smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper)
• Parsley and lemon slices for garnish (optional)

Method:

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 190°C/375°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil to prevent the chicken from sticking.

Step 2: In a mixing bowl, add the chicken tenderloins and some oil. Then, add your chosen spices and mix well until the chicken is evenly coated.

Step 3: Place the chicken tenderloins in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded.

Step 4: Air fry the chicken for 7-10 minutes, flipping the tenderloins halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the chicken, but they are typically done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Step 5: Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a serving dish and let it rest for 5 minutes. Squeeze some lemon juice and sprinkle chopped parsley on top before serving.

Tips:

• Always grease the air fryer basket to prevent sticking and ensure easy clean-up.
• Choose tenderloins of a similar size so that they cook evenly.
• If needed, cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• For a crispier texture, add spices like cayenne pepper, chilli pepper, or red pepper flakes.
• For a complete meal, serve with sides like air fryer Brussels sprouts, French fries, or a salad.

Storage:

• To store leftovers, place the cooked and cooled chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
• To reheat, use the air fryer, a preheated oven, a hot skillet, or a microwave if you're short on time.

Enjoy your juicy and crispy chicken tenderloins!

How to brine chicken tenderloins

Brining chicken tenderloins is a great way to ensure they stay juicy and absorb plenty of flavour during the cooking process.

Basic brine solution

A basic brine solution is made up of salt dissolved in warm water. For a stronger brine, you can add sugar and other aromatics such as star anise. A basic brine solution will use around 1/4 cup of kosher salt dissolved in 1 quart (4 cups) of warm water. This will be enough to brine around 1.5 pounds of meat.

How long to brine

You can brine chicken tenderloins for as little as 15 minutes, but the ideal time is around 30 minutes to 2 hours. Any longer than this and the meat may start to become mushy.

How to brine

First, combine the salt and water in a shallow baking dish and stir until the salt is dissolved. You can then add the chicken tenderloins to the solution and leave them to brine in the fridge.

Post-brining

Once the chicken is brined, you should pat the tenderloins dry and remove any herbs that may be stuck to the meat. The tenderloins are now ready to be cooked or coated in breading.

How to cook chicken tenderloins in an air fryer

Ingredients

Chicken tenderloins can be cooked in an air fryer with a variety of seasonings and coatings, or none at all. Here is a list of ingredients that you can use to cook chicken tenderloins in an air fryer:

• Chicken tenderloins
• Olive oil or another neutral-flavoured oil
• Spices (e.g. smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano, dried basil)
• Breadcrumbs (e.g. panko)
• Eggs
• Flour
• Parsley and lemon slices (for garnish)

Method

Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket to prevent the chicken from sticking.

Step 2: Prepare your chosen seasonings and/or coatings. If you are using a coating, prepare a breading station with eggs and flour in one bowl, and breadcrumbs in another.

Step 3: If using a coating, dip each chicken tenderloin into the bowl of egg, shake off any excess, and then dip into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it is evenly and fully coated. If you are not using a coating, place the chicken tenderloins in a mixing bowl and add oil and seasonings, tossing to coat completely.

Step 4: Place the chicken tenderloins in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the basket is not overcrowded.

Step 5: Air fry for around 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. For thicker cuts of chicken, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Step 6: Remove the chicken from the air fryer and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure the outside of the chicken gets as crispy as possible without overcooking the meat.
• If needed, cook the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.
• For crispy chicken tenderloins, spray the chicken with oil to ensure all parts of the breading are covered before air frying.
• If you are using a coating, do not be gentle when breading the chicken tenderloins in the breadcrumbs. Use your hands to press the breadcrumbs into the chicken, then shake off any excess.
• If you are using a coating, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel after brining and before dipping in the egg mixture.
• If you are not using a coating, always let the air fryer preheat before adding the chicken tenderloins.

Serving suggestions

Chicken tenderloins cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of sides and sauces. Here are some ideas:

• BBQ sauce or ranch dressing for dipping
• Sweet and sour sauce, honey mustard, or sweet chilli sauce
• French fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, or tater tots
• Asparagus, carrots, green beans, or a salad

How to store leftover chicken tenderloins

Refrigerating Leftovers

Leftover chicken tenderloins can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It is important to ensure that the chicken has cooled down before placing it in the container and putting it in the fridge.

Freezing Leftovers

If you wish to store the chicken for longer, you can freeze it. Place the leftover chicken tenderloins in an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Reheating

When you are ready to eat the leftover chicken tenderloins, you can reheat them in an air fryer, a preheated oven, a hot skillet, or a microwave if you are short on time.

What to serve with chicken tenderloins

There are many options for what to serve with air-fried chicken tenderloins. If you're looking for a healthy option, you could go for a salad, such as a Mediterranean quinoa salad, or some vegetables, like roasted green beans with bacon, or air-fried Brussels sprouts.

If you're after something more indulgent, you could try French fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, or tater tots.

For a more substantial meal, you could serve the chicken tenderloins with pasta, such as Hawaiian macaroni salad or baked mac and cheese.

Finally, if you're looking for a low-carb option, you could pair the chicken with asparagus, carrots, or frozen green beans.

Frequently asked questions