Chicken tenderloins, also known as chicken tenders or chicken strips, are a lean, flavorful cut of meat perfect for air frying When cooked properly in an air fryer, chicken tenderloins become crispy and golden brown on the outside while remaining tender and juicy on the inside
But how long should you actually air fry chicken tenderloins to achieve this balance of textures? Here we’ll walk through everything you need to know to air fry chicken tenderloins to crispy juicy perfection.
What Are Chicken Tenderloins?
Chicken tenderloins are long, thin strips of meat that come from the underside of chicken breast.
Unlike chicken breasts which can dry out easily, tenderloins have less connective tissue and fat so they cook up super quick and stay nice and moist. This makes them an ideal choice for the air fryer.
Chicken tenderloins are sometimes sold attached to the breast or found loose in freezer bags. You can also easily slice chicken breasts lengthwise into strips to make your own DIY tenderloins.
Compared to nuggets or tenders that come pre-breaded, air frying plain chicken tenderloins results in a healthier, lower carb option perfect for keto, gluten free, or paleo diets. They make the ultimate easy, everyday air fryer recipe.
How Long to Air Fry Chicken Tenderloins
The exact air fry time for chicken tenderloins can vary slightly depending on the size and thickness of the strips, as well as your model of air fryer.
However, on average expect chicken tenderloins to take 10-15 minutes at 400°F in the air fryer.
Here are more specific guidelines for air fry times based on tenderloin thickness:
- Thin tenderloins, 1/2 inch thick or less: 7-10 minutes
- Medium tenderloins, around 3/4 inch thick: 10-12 minutes
- Thick tenderloins, 1 inch or more: 12-15 minutes
No matter what size your tenderloins are, you’ll want to flip the chicken halfway through the air fry time to ensure even cooking.
And always use an instant read thermometer to confirm the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F when done.
Tips for Air Frying Chicken Tenderloins
Follow these simple tips for ensuring your air fried chicken tenderloins turn out crispy, cooked through, and juicy every time:
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Don’t overcrowd the basket – Air fry chicken tenderloins in a single layer, being careful not to overfill the basket. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.
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Brush with oil – Lightly coat the raw chicken with oil before air frying. This helps the tenders get extra crispy.
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Flip halfway – Flipping the tenderloins midway through cook time guarantees they brown evenly on both sides.
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Use a thermometer – Checking temperature is the only foolproof way to confirm doneness and prevent overcooking.
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Let rest before serving – Let chicken tenderloins rest 5 minutes after air frying before digging in. This allows juices to redistribute.
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Reheat gently – To reheat leftover air fried chicken tenderloins, use the oven or toaster oven to avoid drying them out.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
Ready to whip up a batch of perfectly air fried chicken tenders at home? Follow these simple steps:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 1 Tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1⁄4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
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Pat chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. Place in a medium bowl.
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Drizzle chicken with oil and sprinkle with desired seasonings. Toss to coat evenly.
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Preheat air fryer to 400°F. Add chicken to basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
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Air fry for 7-8 minutes then flip and air fry 7-8 minutes more until chicken is 165°F internally.
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Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
That’s it! With just a few simple ingredients and 10-15 minutes of air fry time, you can enjoy tender, juicy, crispy air fried chicken tenderloins any night of the week.
Common Questions about Air Frying Chicken Tenderloins
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about cooking chicken tenderloins in the air fryer:
Should you flip chicken tenderloins when air frying?
Yes, flipping the chicken tenderloins halfway through the air fry time is highly recommended. This guarantees the chicken browns evenly on both sides.
Can you air fry chicken tenderloins from frozen?
Absolutely! Add an extra 3-5 minutes of cook time if starting with frozen chicken tenderloins. And as always, check internal temp.
What temperature do you cook chicken tenderloins to?
Chicken is safely cooked and ready to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Track this with an instant read thermometer.
Can you bread chicken tenderloins before air frying?
Breading adds flavor and crunch! For best results, bread tenderloins using a three-step breading procedure before air frying as usual.
What can I serve with air fried chicken tenderloins?
The possibilities are endless! Air fried chicken tenderloins pair nicely with dipping sauces, salads, roasted veggies, potatoes, grains, and pastas.
How long do air fried chicken tenderloins last in the fridge?
Properly stored in an airtight container, cooked air fried chicken tenderloins will keep for 3-4 days refrigerated. Reheat gently before serving.
The Perfect Air Fried Chicken Tenderloins
Air frying chicken tenderloins results in healthier, crispier, juicier chicken than takeout or frozen varieties. Simply coat, air fry 10-15 minutes, and enjoy!
Monitor thickness and internal temp rather than cook times for best results. And be sure to brush with oil, flip halfway, and don’t crowd the basket.
Air fried chicken tenderloins make for a quick and easy dinner, snack, salad topper, or sandwich filler the whole family will love.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- These yummy chicken tenderloins are perfect for meal prep. Feel free to add them to the spice & oil mixture and leave them in the fridge, raw, for up to 5 days (depending on how fresh your chicken is).
- You can also freeze uncooked chicken tenderloins for up to 3 months. Make sure to press allllll the extra air out of your freezer bags to prevent freezer burn. PRO TIP: If you want to be able to just grab a single tenderloin at a time, let the chicken marinate for 24 hours, then freeze in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Once they’re frozen through, pop them in your freezer bag and push out all the air. Take that, Tyson!
- Cooked air fryer chicken tenders will keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
- To serve frozen chicken tenders, you can either allow them to defrost overnight in the fridge before cooking as directed ~OR~ if you froze them individually, you can pop them straight into the air fryer without defrosting. If you go for the second method, cook them for about 10-15 minutes, or until they hit an internal temperature of 165F.
- To serve leftover cooked chicken tenderloins, you can either gently heat them in an oven or toaster oven set to 200F, or microwave them. They’re also great cold!
Chicken tenderloins, often called chicken tenders, are super tender strips of meat that are found just beneath the breast meat. They’re actually a part of the chicken breast, but are kind of their own thing because they’re more tender and, honestly, quicker to cook. They’re perfect for when you want something juicy and flavorful but are in a bit of a rush. Whether you’re breading them, grilling, or tossing them in the air fryer like we do here, they’re super versatile and a total crowd-pleaser! ✨
For sure! Air fryers work the same way as convection ovens — blowing hot air around the food. Just like baking your chicken from raw is safe, so too is air frying it!
I like air frying my chicken tenderloins at 400F to get them nice and crispy. In my air fryer, it takes about 7-9 minutes to cook them to perfection at this temp.
It honestly depends on the recipe. These naked chicken tenders are made without any breading (so they’re naturally gluten-free), are chock-full of protein, and are what I’d consider clean eats. But if you’re reaching for pre-deep-fried chicken tenders from a bag, they’re likely less healthy thanks to cheap, inflammatory oils, preservatives, lots of refined sugars, etc.
You sure can! Just make sure they’re in a single layer without any overlap so the air can cook them evenly. You’ll need to add about 5-ish minutes to the cook time if you opt to cook from frozen.
Optional Variations & Dietary Adaptations
I personally think these are the best air fryer chicken tenders around, but there are TONS of ways to make them your own. Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
- Italian Chicken Tenderloins – Skip the brown sugar, smoked paprika, and chili powder in favor of Italian seasoning.
- Cajun Chicken Tenderloins – Instead of using your own spice mix, swap in your favorite Cajun blend like Tony Chachere’s or Slap Ya’ Mama.
- Breaded Chicken Tenders – Take a page from my oven-baked chicken cutlets recipe and follow the 3-stage standard breading procedure for extra crispy tenders.
- BBQ Chicken Tenders – Keep the same spice mix/marinade, but brush your tenders with barbecue sauce before baking. The sauce gets all sticky and caramelized in the air fryer — it’s glorious!
- Any Flavor Chicken Tenders – Have fun messing around with the spice mix, or use pre-packaged mixes to make life simple. That way, you can adapt these air fryer chicken breast tenderloins to suit your needs. Use Indian masalas for curry chicken, teriyaki marinade for rice bowls, or powdered ranch dressing for a fun twist on my copycat McDonald’s chicken ranch snack wrap.
Did you come up with a brilliant twist on this air fryer chicken breast tender recipe? Let me know in the comments below or tag me on the socials so I can cheer you on!
While it’s not hard to air fry chicken breast tenders to perfection, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Think Like A Manicurist and coat your chicken very thoroughly. Make sure there’s no bare chicken peeping through — you want seasoning in every bite!
- Marination Magic – Since this marinade doesn’t have any acid in it, you can let the chicken chill out for as long as you like. (Acidic marinades can turn chicken mushy if the meat sits for longer than 24 hours.) That makes this recipe perfect for meal prep!
- Freezer Fun – Consider mixing up the spice mix and olive oil in a gallon-sized freezer bag, then toss your chicken in there. Squish the bag around a bit to make sure the chicken is well coated, then press out the air, seal the bag, and freeze it for a rainy day! Then, when you need a meal on the fly, quickly defrost the bag in a bowl of cool water — it shouldn’t take more than about 30 minutes.
- Know Thine Air Fryer – Every air fryer seems to cook a little differently, so keep close and don’t overcook. Since these airfryer chicken tenderloins are made with lean, white meat chicken, they’ll have a tendency to dry out. I recommend checking for doneness around the 5-minute mark to help you gauge how quickly your machine works.
- Give ‘Em a Trim – Chicken tenderloins often come with the tendon still attached. While it’s not dangerous in any way, it is a bit tough so I like to remove it first. This is the best way to do it!
