I don’t know about you, but I STRUGGLE with cooking chicken, specifically chicken breast and chicken tenders. It’s just always so blah and dry, I’ve only successfully come up with a few recipes over the years and this happens to be one of them.
First things first: if you don’t own an air fryer by now, what are you even doing with your life? Are you still out here deep-frying things like it’s 2003? Or using an oven and waiting a whole 30-45 minutes? I’m sorry but I’m gonna have to ask you to change that. EMBRACE THE AIR FRYER MY FRIENDS. HOLD IT IN YOUR ARMS AND SING IT A LULLABY.
Now…for the rest of us in the air fryer fan club, let’s talk about one of the best things to come out of this magical contraption: crispy, juicy, golden-brown chicken tenders. Whether you’re meal-prepping, feeding kids, or just looking for a healthier alternative to takeout, these air fryer chicken tenders are about to be your new obsession.
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Tenders
Aside from the fact that they’re delicious and ridiculously easy to make, here are a few reasons why you’ll never go back:
✔ Juicy Without Frying – All the tenderness, none of the guilt.
✔ Done in Under 20 Minutes – Because who has time to wait?
✔ Healthy and Egg Free/Gluten Free – I’m not GF or anything, but I appreciate a simple recipe that doesn’t have any eggs or breading involved.
✔ Customizable AF – Classic, spicy, herby—flavor them however you want, but I think combo is perfect. Only thing I might try next time is adding some grated parmesan. YUM.
UPDATE: I have added 1-2 tbsp of grated Parm a few times and CAN CONFIRM: EXTRA DELISH.
Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Print
Ingredients
1 lb chicken tenders
1.5 – 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tbsp paprika
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp coarse Kosher salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (omit if you don’t like heat or just use less)
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Black pepper to taste
1-2 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Directions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 (I usually just put it on for 2-3 mins, that seems to be enough preheating).
- Put the chicken tenders in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and toss to coat.
- Add all of the spices to the bowl with the tenders and toss thoroughly. Make sure the tenders are nice and evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
- Spray the air fryer basket with a little cooking spray and lay down 3 strips in the basket, keeping about an inch or so in between each tender. The key here is to not overcrowd the basket and work in batches. 1 package should only be about 2 batches anyway (3-4 tenders per batch). Cook the tenders at 400 in the air fryer for 9-10 mins. I usually do 9 but will do 10 if they’re a bit thicker.
- Once done, remove from the air fryer and serve with your favorite dipping sauce and a side salad (or whatever you want)! Enjoy!
Tips for Extra-Crispy Tenders
- Don’t Skimp on the Seasonings – I know it feels like a lot, but I assure you, this type of chicken needs all the flavor help it can get.
- Space Them Out in the Air Fryer and Work in Batches – Overlapping them = steaming = rubbery sadness. I put in 3 or max 4 at a time.
Dipping Sauce Recommendations
Look, I’m not here to tell you how to live your life, but if you’re out here eating plain chicken tenders without dipping sauce, I have questions. Some top-tier options:
🔥 Ranch – Because ranch is king. No notes. And if you make it with Greek yogurt, it’s healthy!
🍯 Honey Mustard – Sweet, tangy, and superior.
🧄 Garlic Aioli – Sounds fancy, but it’s just mayo (or Greek yogurt), garlic, salt, and lemon.
🩸 Ketchup – Totally fine. Not my fave but it works.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever thought, “Air fryers are just a fad,” I regret to inform you that you are wrong. These crispy, golden chicken tenders are proof that technology has peaked, and the days of sad chicken are behind us.
Make these once, and you’ll never go back. Or at the very least, you’ll question why you ever waited so long to join the air fryer cult.
