January 24, 2024
Review RecipeAir Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
These crispy air fryer chicken tenderloins are breaded with a delicious, seasoned coating and come together quickly in your air fryer for an easy and satisfying meal for busy weeknights.
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Air fryer chicken tenderloins are a tasty way to enjoy breaded chicken without having to deep fry it. Coated with a crunchy, seasoned breading and cooked in an air fryer, these tenderloins turn out juicy and flavorful every time.
Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins Ingredients
The air fryer helps to give them that extra crispiness that fried chicken is known for while also eliminating all of the grease.
The various seasonings and Dijon mustard add plenty of tangy and smoky flavor to these tenders, and they come out tender on the inside and full of flavor every time.
To cook chicken tenderloins in the air fryer, you’ll need:
- 1 pound of chicken tenderloins (approximately 7 to 8 pieces)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
- ½ cup of plain panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup of plain original breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
PRO TIP:
If you buy the extra large, family-size bag of frozen chicken tenders from your big box grocery store, you will want to thaw just the amount (or the number of pieces) you will be air frying for this quick recipe.
Thaw them completely in the refrigerator before proceeding. You can pat them dry with paper towels before adding them to the egg wash to ensure the egg adheres to the chicken.
Substitutions And Additions
BREADCRUMBS: You can use all panko or all original breadcrumbs for this crispy chicken tenders recipe. I really like the texture that the combination gives, though.
You can also use Italian-style breadcrumbs, omitting the smoked paprika, in this easy recipe.
CHICKEN TENDERLOINS: You can easily swap the chicken tenderloins for boneless skinless chicken thighs, turkey tenderloins, or even tofu strips for a vegetarian version.
Keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly, so adjust accordingly to ensure your chosen protein is cooked through.
SEASONINGS: Customize the flavor profile of your chicken by adjusting the seasonings. Substitute the garlic powder and paprika with your favorite spices or seasoning blends.
Smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, Cajun spice, or even taco seasoning can provide exciting flavor variations without changing the cooking method.
CHEESE: Before coating your chicken in breadcrumbs, consider adding a layer of grated Parmesan or cheddar cheese to infuse extra flavor and a cheesy goodness.
How To Make This Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins Recipe
It’s so easy to whip up a batch of these chicken tenderloins. Coating the chicken in a simple and delicious breading is the first step of the process before adding them to the air fryer to cook. Keep an eye on them, and they will be ready once they are a perfect golden brown.
OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS
Allow your chicken tenderloins to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to allow the chill to come off them. This will help ensure that your chicken cooks evenly.
STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F.
While your air fryer is preheating, you can coat your raw chicken tenderloins with the egg wash and breadcrumb coating.
STEP TWO: Whisk together the eggs and Dijon mustard in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
STEP THREE: In a second shallow dish, combine the panko crumbs, original breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper until all the spices are thoroughly distributed in the breadcrumbs.
STEP FOUR: Add the olive oil to the breadcrumb mixture and combine until the breadcrumbs have been evenly coated with the olive oil.
This will not be a greasy mixture, but you should not have any big lumps of oil-coated breadcrumbs.
STEP FIVE: Add three to four chicken tenderloins to the egg wash and toss to coat.
Be sure to allow any excess egg mixture to drip back into the dish before proceeding to the breadcrumb coating.
STEP SIX: Carefully add the egg-coated chicken pieces to the breadcrumb mixture. Coat the chicken tenderloin strips with breadcrumbs on both sides.
Allow any excess breadcrumbs to fall back into the dish and place them onto a plate while you repeat steps five and six until all the chicken tenderloins have been coated.
STEP SEVEN: Arrange three to four coated chicken tenderloins into the preheated air fryer basket of the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 12 to 13 minutes.
Flip the chicken strips halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning of your chicken tenderloins.
PRO TIP:
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if serving a large crowd. You will need to allow for enough time to cook multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer. You do not want to overcrowd the basket of your air fryer. Do not allow the pieces of breaded chicken tenderloins to overlap. This will ensure that you get a beautiful golden brown evenly on each chicken tenderloin.
STEP EIGHT: Repeat steps five to seven until all the chicken tenderloins have been cooked.
PRO TIP:
You can use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the cooked chicken to be sure that it reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer for safe consumption. You may notice that some of your pieces are larger than others in your package of chicken tenderloins. You can add 1 to 2 minutes to your total cook time if your pieces are a little larger.
How To Serve
Air fryer chicken tenderloins are a delicious main dish option.
Serve them with your favorite sides like roasted broccoli, oven roasted potatoes, or creamy mashed potatoes for an easy and complete meal.
These make a great, quick weeknight dinner for kids with busy schedules.
You can serve them alongside a tomato cucumber salad and their favorite dipping sauce, such as our chicken finger dipping sauce.
Add even more air fryer recipes to your menu with our air fryer pizzas and air fryer chicken wings.
MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES
Storage
Here’s how to store and reheat them for maximum flavor and freshness.
MAKE AHEAD: If you want to get a head start on your meal preparation, you can make these chicken tenderloins ahead of time.
After cooking and letting them cool to room temperature, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two to three days.
IN THE FRIDGE: Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to three days.
You can reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F for five minutes or until warmed through.
IN THE FREEZER: These crispy air fryer chicken tenders can be frozen for up to two months if stored in an airtight container.
Let them cool completely, then place them onto a parchment-lined baking tray in a single layer and flash-freeze them for two hours.
Once frozen, remove them from the baking tray and place them into a freezer-safe zip-top bag with the air squeezed out.
When ready to eat, you can place the frozen chicken tenderloins back into a preheated air fryer at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through.
REHEATING: To reheat your chicken tenderloins, there are several methods to choose from. For the best results and to maintain their crispy exterior, consider using the air fryer or oven.
Preheat the air fryer or oven to 350°F (175°C), place the chicken in a single layer on a baking sheet or in the air fryer basket, and reheat for about five to seven minutes until warmed through and crispy.
Why We Love This Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to love these chicken tenders, including:
CRISPY PERFECTION: These chicken tenderloins come out of the air fryer with a wonderfully crispy exterior that’s simply irresistible. The air fryer’s cooking method achieves that perfect crunch without the need for excessive oil or deep frying.
QUICK AND EFFORTLESS: This recipe is a lifesaver on busy nights. With minimal prep and a short cooking time in the air fryer, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in no time.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FAVORITE: These chicken tenderloins are a hit with both kids and adults. They make for a versatile meal option that can be served as an entrée, in sandwiches, wraps, or salads.
For a quick and easy delicious meal, air fryer chicken tenderloins are your go-to option! With just a few minutes of preparation time and a short cooking time, you’ll have a dish that will definitely become a family favorite.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I cook the homemade chicken tenders?
Cook your chicken tenderloins in the air fryer for 12 to 13 minutes or until they are heated through.
Can I freeze air fryer chicken tenderloins?
This great recipe can be frozen for up to two months stored in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
Can I add other seasonings to the breadcrumbs?
If you’d like to use a different seasoning in your breadcrumbs, you certainly can, and this will add even more flavor to your chicken.
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
These crispy air fryer chicken tenderloins are breaded with a delicious, seasoned coating and come together quickly in your air fryer for an easy and satisfying meal for busy weeknights.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 24 minutes
Total Time 34 minutes
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins, approximately 7 to 8 pieces
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup plain panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup plain original breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 400°F. While your air fryer is preheating, you can coat your chicken tenderloins with the egg wash and breadcrumb coating.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and Dijon mustard. Set aside.
- In a second shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, original breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, smoked paprika, and black pepper until all the spices are thoroughly distributed in the breadcrumbs.
- Add the olive oil to the breadcrumb mixture and combine until the breadcrumbs have been evenly coated with the olive oil. This will not be a greasy mixture, but you should not have any big lumps of oil-coated breadcrumbs.
- Add 3 to 4 chicken tenderloins to the egg wash and toss to coat. Be sure to allow any excess egg mixture to drip back into the dish before proceeding to the breadcrumb coating.
- Carefully add the egg-coated chicken tenderloins to the breadcrumb mixture. Coat the chicken tenderloin strips with breadcrumbs on both sides. Allow any excess breadcrumbs to fall back into the dish and place them onto a plate while you repeat steps 5 and 6 until all the chicken tenderloins have been coated.
- Arrange 3 to 4 coated chicken tenderloins into the preheated basket of the air fryer and cook at 400°F for 12 to 13 minutes. Flip the chicken strips half ways through the cooking time to ensure even browning of your chicken tenderloins.
- Repeat steps 5 to 7 until all the chicken tenderloins have been cooked.
- Serve these air fryer chicken tenderloins alongside a small bowl of chicken finger dipping sauce. These should be served while they are still warm. You can store the cooked chicken tenderloins in an airtight container, in the refrigerator, for up to 3 days. You can reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes or until warmed through.
Notes
- Allow your chicken tenderloins to sit at room temperature for a few minutes to allow the chill to come off them. This will help ensure that your chicken cooks evenly.
- This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if serving a large crowd. You will need to allow for enough time to cook multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer. You do not want to overcrowd the basket of your air fryer. Do not allow the pieces of breaded chicken tenderloins to overlap. This will ensure that you get a beautiful golden brown evenly on each chicken tenderloin.
- You can use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the cooked chicken to be sure that it reaches 165°F on a meat thermometer for safe consumption. You may notice that some of your pieces are larger than others in your package of chicken tenderloins. You can add 1-2 minutes to your total cook time if your pieces are a little larger.
Nutrition
Calories: 169kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 83mg | Sodium: 349mg | Potassium: 262mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 117IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg
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