Are you tired of the hassle of breading chicken tenders? These air fryer chicken tenders with no breading are the perfect solution! These crispy and delicious tenders are made without any breading, so they are both easier to make and healthier than traditional chicken tenders.
With just a few simple steps, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table in less than 15 minutes. And even without breading, the air fryer makes this crispy outside and tender and juicy inside.
These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual gathering. They’re also great for kids who love anything they can dip!
These chicken tenders are bursting with flavor thanks to a simple but delicious blend of spices. No bland, boring chicken here!
So, if you’re ready to up your chicken tender game and make a meal that the whole family will love, keep reading! I’ll review everything you need to know, including step-by-step instructions, serving ideas, and tips and tricks.
I love to make chicken in the air fryer. For more delicious dinner ideas, try air-fried lollipop drumsticks, chimichangas, or chicken shawarma.
🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Chicken tenders
- Olive oil
- Seasoning: paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- First, check your chicken tenders for any visible tendons. These are those white or silvery strings that run through the center of the meat. If you see any, carefully cut along the length of the tendon with a sharp knife or kitchen shears and pull it out.
- Put your chicken tenders in a bowl and add the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix everything well until the meat is fully coated in the spice mixture.
- Next, place your chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer. You want the hot air to circulate around each piece of chicken, giving it that nice crispy texture on the outside while keeping it juicy on the inside.
- Set your air fryer to 400 degrees F and cook the chicken tenders for 10 minutes, flipping them once halfway through. And that’s it! Your chicken tenders are ready to enjoy.
🍴Serving Ideas
Now that you’ve got your delicious air fryer chicken tenders hot and ready, it’s time to think about how to serve them up. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
Delicious sides: I love serving these with sweet potato fries and a simple salad. You can also add kid-friendly sides like mac and cheese, carrot sticks, and apple slices.
Dipping sauces: These chicken tenders are perfect for dipping! Try them with classic sauces like honey mustard, barbecue, or ranch. Or, mix things up with something a little more adventurous, like spicy Sriracha mayo or a cool and creamy avocado dip.
Salads: Cut your chicken tenders and toss them over fresh greens for a tasty and satisfying salad. I like using a mix of lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. Finish it with a sprinkle of feta cheese and a drizzle of your favorite dressing.
Wraps: Grab a tortilla or wrap and load it up with your air fryer chicken tenders, along with some lettuce, tomato, cheese, and any other toppings you like. It’s a great way to take these tenders on the go!
💭How to Store
Place leftover tenders in an airtight container or zip-top bag and store them in the refrigerator. They should keep well for up to 3-4 days.
You can eat the leftovers cold or reheat them. Place them back in the air fryer basket and cook at 400 degrees F for 2-3 minutes or until they’re heated and crispy again.
If you want to freeze your leftover chicken tenders, you can do that too! Just place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and store them in the freezer for 2-3 months.
When you’re ready to eat, thaw the tenders in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat them in the air fryer or oven as described above.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Place your chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with a little space between each one.
- While the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper combo in this recipe is delicious, you can mix things up and try different spice blends. Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or a simple lemon pepper mixture can all be great options.
- To ensure that your chicken tenders are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. You’re looking for a temperature of 165 degrees F.
- You can use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins. Just slice them into tender-sized pieces and follow the recipe as written.
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Air Fryer Tenders No Breading Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Check the tenderloin for a visible white or silvery string running through the center. This is the tendon. Carefully cut along the length of the tendon with a sharp knife or kitchen shears. The tendon should separate easily from the meat.1 pound chicken tenderloins
- Put the tenders in a bowl and add the oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the meat is coated in the spice mixture.1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Put the tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes, flipping once.
Notes
- Place your chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with a little space between each one.
- While the paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper combo in this recipe is delicious, try different spice blends. Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or a simple lemon pepper mixture are all great options.
- To ensure that your chicken tenders are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. You’re looking for a temperature of 165 degrees F.
- You can use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins. Just slice them into tender-sized pieces and follow the recipe as written.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
