Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading!)
Published Aug 01, 2024
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This is the BEST air fryer chicken tenders recipe that comes together in under 15 minutes and makes the perfect side dish, appetizer, or main dish! Serve with dipping sauce, over a salad, on a sandwich, and more. They’re juicy, flavorful, and crispy without any breading!
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Another healthy recipe coming at you with these quick and easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders! All you need are a few simple ingredients– fresh chicken tenderloins, olive oil, and a handful of spices. No breading, no egg wash, no fuss. Just juicy, tender chicken perfect for dipping, salads, sandwiches, etc.
I absolutely love my air fryer– it cooks these chicken tenders in under 10 minutes. My girls love these (so kid-friendly!), they’re full of protein, plus they’re gluten-free, low carb, and keto! I can’t say enough good things about them, you’ll just have to see for yourself.
This easy dinner recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner, meal prep lunch, or even an after-school snack.
For more easy air fryer recipes check out these: Air Fryer Buffalo Wings, Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets, Air Fryer Honey Garlic Salmon, and more
Ingredient Notes
- boneless skinless chicken tenderloins: You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts, slice thinly down the middle, and then cut into strips. I recommend using raw chicken. If you have frozen chicken, thaw first.
- olive oil or avocado oil
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
- Italian seasoning
- sea salt
- black pepper
- fresh parsley for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Step 2
Season the Chicken. Place the chicken tenders in a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the tenders and toss to coat evenly.
Step 3
In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken tenders, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Step 4
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; you may need to cook in batches.
Step 5
Cook the chicken tenders for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Check with a meat thermometer if in doubt. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Serve with my homemade ranch dressing!
Mac’s Pro Tip
Expert Tips
- To spice up these crispy chicken tenders, feel free to add a little cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- If unsure about cooking time, check the chicken with an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature will read 165 degrees F when cooked through.
Serving & Storage Tips
Serve these chicken tenders with a side of sweet potato fries or french fries and veggies like green beans or asparagus for an easy meal the whole family will love! Pair with dipping sauces like honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing (or your favorite dipping sauce!).
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes and serve. To freeze, let the chicken tenders cool completely, then store them in a freezer bag and place them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Reheat and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
There are 37 grams of protein and 2 net carbs per serving!
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Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading!)
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds boneless chicken tenderloins skinless
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Season the Chicken. Place the chicken tenders in a large bowl. Drizzle the olive oil over the tenders and toss to coat evenly.
- In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken tenders, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Place the seasoned chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding; you may need to cook in batches.
- Cook the chicken tenders for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Serve with my homemade ranch dressing!
Notes
Expert Tips
- To spice up these crispy chicken tenders, feel free to add a little cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
- If unsure about cooking time, check the chicken with an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature will read 165 degrees F when cooked through.
Serving & Storage Tips
Serve these with a side of sweet potato fries or french fries and veggies like green beans or asparagus for an easy meal the whole family will love! Pair with dipping sauces like honey mustard, BBQ sauce, and ranch dressing (or your favorite dipping sauce!). Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer for a few minutes and serve. To freeze, let the chicken tenders cool completely, then store them in a freezer bag and place them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Reheat and enjoy!Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
