These crispy outside and tender inside Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are the perfect weeknight meal the whole family will love. They are extremely flavourful, easy to make, and ready in just 20 minutes. And the best part is that it is much healthier than the deep-fried version!
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Air fryers are perfect if you want to create healthier versions of your favorite deep-fried food. These air fryer chicken tenderloins are crispy and golden, the same as the deep-fried restaurant version but so much better for your health.
I use my air fryer when I need something quick and simple air fryer recipes such as Air Fryer Crab Cakes, Fish Sticks in Air Fryer, Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls, and Easy Air Fryer Hamburgers. The air fryer does an amazing job creating “fried” tasting foods, but with less fat and calories. And that's exactly why I bought an air fryer in the first place.
Why This Recipe Works?
- These fryer chicken tenderloins are extremely delicious with a crispy coating and tender chicken underneath.
- They are super easy to make from scratch using fresh or frozen chicken tenders.
- Air fryer chicken tenderloins are ready in just 20 minutes, the perfect weekday meal that the whole family would love.
- It’s healthier than shallow or deep frying, and has much better results than baking in the oven. You only need to spray on a little oil just to cover the chicken tenders to have crispy and golden homemade chicken fingers!
- You can make breaded fryer chicken tenderloins in big batches and freeze them for later.
- If you don't have chicken tenders you can cut thin strips out of chicken breasts for the same results.
Ingredients and Substitutes
- Chicken tenders - They are also called chicken tenderloins. They are the strips of white meat that are located on either side of the breastbone, under the breast meat. You can make your own if you can't find tenderloins from your local shops. Simply slice a boneless, skinless chicken breast lengthwise into 1 ½ cm (½") thick strips.
- Plain Flour - It is also called all-purpose flour. It helps the eggs stick better to chicken pieces.
- Eggs - They help the breadcrumbs stick to chicken tenders.
- Breadcrumbs - I prefer panko breadcrumbs for breading as they are made from white bread without the crust and have a larger grain than regular bread crumbs. Their texture is light and airy and they will crisp to a perfect golden brown in the air fryer. However, you can use any breadcrumbs you have in hand.
- Seasoning - I use salt, paprika, and pepper to keep the flavor simple but you can add any seasoning you like. You can add the seasoning to the flour or divide it between the flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs.
How to Cook Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer?
Making these delicious Chicken Strips is very easy. However, you need to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results:
Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
To prepare your mixing station, season the flour with salt and pepper and place it on a shallow dish.
In another bowl, whisk the eggs, and set them next to the dish with flour.
Place the breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish, and set it aside next to the bowl with eggs.
Dunk each chicken strip into the flour mixture and shake off any excess flour.
Dip the flour-coated chicken strip into the whisked eggs.
Then finally dredge it in the breadcrumb. Set it aside on a plate, and repeat the same until you run out of chicken tenders.
Make sure the piece of chicken is getting fully coated at each step.
You might want to stop and wash your hands once or twice during the process.
Once the chicken strips are thoroughly coated, drizzle or spray a little oil on them.
Place the chicken strips in the Air Fryer basket in a single layer, without overlapping them.
Cook them at 200 °C (400 °F) for 8 minutes, flip, and then cook them for another 8 minutes.
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.
Top Tips From the Chef
- Cook the chicken fingers in a single layer without overlapping them. Cook them in batches if necessary. To keep your first batch warm while cooking the rest, place them on a baking sheet and transfer them to a 100 °C (200 °F) degree oven.
- Cooking time can vary depending on the air fryer. Adjust it depending on your air fryer and how crispy you like them.
- You can make your own if you can't find tenderloins from your local shops. Simply slice a boneless, skinless chicken breast lengthwise into 1 ½ cm (½") thick strips.
- If you want to add more flavor to the tenders, you can add some extra spices & herbs to the flour or eggs.
- Make sure the piece of chicken is getting fully coated at each step.
- You might want to stop and wash your hands once or twice during the process.
- Don't forget to flip the chicken tenderloins halfway through cooking. This gives it an opportunity to cook evenly and brown nicely on both sides.
How Long to Cook Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer?
Cooking time can vary depending on the air fryer.
Place the chicken strips in the Air Fryer basket in a single layer, without overlapping them. Cook them at 200 °C (400 °F) for 8 minutes, flip, and then cook them for another 8 minutes.
The chicken tenders are cooked when the internal temperature reaches 74° C (165° F) when a meat thermometer is inserted.
What to Serve with Breaded Chicken Tenders?
You can serve these air-fried chicken strips with many different side dishes:
Zeytinyagli Kereviz Yemeği (Braised Celeriac), Yellow Rice (Indian Turmeric Pilau Rice), Frozen Sweet Potatoes in Air Fryer, Fellah Koftesi, Ratatouille Nicoise, Beetroot and Feta Salad, and Thai Style Tomato Chili Jam or any favorite dipping sauce.
You can also use these crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders as the base of a chicken sandwich, salad, or wrap.
Recipe FAQs
Arrange (cooked or uncooked) air fryer chicken tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet and then freeze them until solid. Transfer them to an airtight, freezer-safe storage container or resealable freezer bags and keep them frozen for up to 3 months.
Yes, simply arrange frozen chicken tenders in your air fryer basket, making sure the pieces don't overlap. Cook them in the air fryer at 190° C (370° F) for 20 - 22 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 74° C (165° F) when a meat thermometer is inserted.
Yes, you can cook anything in your air fryer as long as the air fryer basket is clean when you place your ingredients. Also, make sure to wash your air fryer basket right after you finish cooking in it.
Cooking in an air fryer is one of the fastest, easiest, and most consistent ways to cook raw chicken.
Related Recipes
For more quick&easy air fryer recipes why not try:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy the process of making these crispy and juicy Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins as much as you enjoy eating them! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet olsun!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 650 g chicken tenders (12 pieces)
- 100 g plain white flour / all-purpose flour
- 2 small eggs
- 40 g breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
- To prepare your mixing station, season the flour with salt and pepper and place it on a shallow dish.
- In another bowl, whisk the eggs, and set them next to the dish with flour.
- Place the breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish, and set it aside next to the bowl with eggs.
- Dunk each chicken strip into the flour mixture and shake off any excess flour.
- Dip the flour-coated chicken strip into the whisked eggs.
- Then finally dredge it in the breadcrumb. Set it aside on a plate, and repeat the same until you run out of chicken tenders.
- Make sure the piece of chicken is getting fully coated at each step. You might want to stop and wash your hands once or twice during the process.
- Once the chicken strips are thoroughly coated, drizzle or spray a little oil on them.
- Place the chicken strips in the Air Fryer basket in a single layer, without overlapping them.
- Cook them at 200 °C (400 °F) for 8 minutes, flip, and then cook them for another 8 minutes.
Notes
- Cook the chicken fingers in a single layer without overlapping them. Cook them in batches if necessary. To keep your first batch warm while cooking the rest, place them on a baking sheet and transfer them to a 100 °C (200 °F) degree oven.
- Cooking time can vary depending on the air fryer. Adjust it depending on your air fryer and how crispy you like them.
- You can make your own if you can't find tenderloins from your local shops. Simply slice a boneless, skinless chicken breast lengthwise into 1 ½ cm (½") thick strips.
- If you want to add more flavor to the tenders, you can add some extra spices & herbs to the flour or eggs.
- Make sure the piece of chicken is getting fully coated at each step.
- You might want to stop and wash your hands once or twice during the process.
- Don't forget to flip the chicken tenderloins halfway through cooking. This gives it an opportunity to cook evenly and brown nicely on both sides.
Nutrition
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