What are chicken tenderloins?

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! 🍗✨

Should you put raw chicken in an air fryer?

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!

What temp should chicken tenderloins be cooked at? How long to air fry chicken tenderloins?

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.

Are air fryer chicken tenders healthy?

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.

Can you air fry chicken tenderloins from frozen?

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.

What are some healthy recipes for chicken that can be made in a countertop air fryer?

Ooooh! Fun question. Aside from cooking these chicken tenderloins in the air fryer, I also recommend my air fryer buffalo chicken thighs , air fryer chicken sausage , and air fryer chicken burgers .

Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins

Description

Feel like a kid again with my easy recipe for naturally gluten-free Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins! These crispy, sweet n’ savory, golden brown air-fried chicken tenders are perfect for adding protein to any meal, but are also ideal for dunking in ketchup or BBQ sauce. Just as quick as fast food, but so much healthier!

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb chicken tenderloins
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp light brown sugar
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Cooking spray

Instructions

Add the chicken tenderloins, olive oil, light brown sugar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, chili powder, salt, and black pepper to a large mixing bowl. Toss until the chicken tenderloins are thoroughly coated.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or transfer the chicken tenders to an airtight container. Place the chicken in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 15 minutes and up to overnight if possible.
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F. Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil or cooking spray. Add the seasoned chicken tenders to the basket in an even, single layer.
Cook the chicken tenderloins for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The exact cooking time will depend on the size of the tenderloins.
Serve and enjoy!

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