These Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins are tender, juicy, and full of flavor! Make these for a quick and easy dinner recipe that’s ready in under 20 minutes.
Need to cook frozen chicken tenderloins? Try my tasty air fryer frozen chicken tenderloins recipe.
Recipe Video:
Why You Will Love This Recipe:
- These air fried naked chicken tenders are quick and easy to make for a last minute or weeknight dinner. They cook in 12 minutes or less and require no breading or egg. Just like my popular air fryer boneless skinless chicken thighs recipe, this one will become a family favorite!
- Pair these chicken tenderloins with just about any side dish, like air fryer corn on the cob, air fryer crinkle cut fries, or air fryer potato slices. This chicken tenderloin recipe has become a regular at my house because it’s not only quick and super easy, but my whole family loves them!
- This recipe is perfect for meal prep, on top of salads, or for packed lunches.
Q&A:
Yes. If your grocery store doesn’t have chicken tenders, you can make your own by slicing a boneless skinless chicken breast lengthwise into ½ inch thick pieces.
The USDA recommends that all chicken be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit as measured by an internal food thermometer.
Absolutely! The air fryer works just like a mini oven and can thoroughly cook raw chicken.
Yes, frozen chicken tenderloins can be cooked in the air fryer. Here is my recipe for air fryer frozen chicken tenderloins.
Equipment Needed:
- Air Fryer
Ingredients:
- Chicken Tenderloins - You will need raw chicken tenderloins. The brand I used was Tyson’s chicken breast tenderloins.
- Olive Oil - Keeps the tenderloins from drying out and keeps them juicy.
- Spices - Salt, Ground Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Dried Oregano, Smoked Paprika
- Brown Sugar - You will only need a little brown sugar. It adds a subtle hint of sweet flavor to the chicken and adds a caramelized coating. So good!
Air Fryer Instructions:
1. Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. To a large mixing bowl, add the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. Stir until well blended.
3. Add the chicken tenderloins to the bowl and toss until well coated.
4. Add the chicken tenderloins to the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to flip them after 6 minutes.
5. Once done, immediately remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer so that they don't overcook. Let cool and then enjoy!
What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins?
These tenders go great on top of a salad, in a chicken wrap, or dipped in ranch, honey mustard, or ketchup. Try them with my homemade spicy garlic aioli sauce or my sriracha aioli sauce. Here are some other side dishes to try:
- Air Fryer Roasted Zucchini
- Air Fryer Frozen Crinkle Cut Fries
- Air Fryer Cabbage with Bacon
- Air Fryer Loaded Baked Potato
- Air Fryer Baby Potatoes
- Air Fryer Baby Carrots
- Air Fryer Roasted Bacon Potatoes
Storage Instructions:
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
How To Reheat Chicken Tenderloins In The Air Fryer:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush the air fryer basket with cooking oil and heat the chicken tenderloins for 2 to 3 minutes until warm throughout.
Pro Tips:
- Cook the chicken tenderloins in a single layer, don’t overcrowd the air fryer.
- Keep an eye on the chicken while cooking and don’t overcook or they can become tough. Immediately remove chicken from the air fryer once done or they can overcook. My chicken tenderloins took between 10 to 12 minutes to cook, smaller ones will take less time to cook.
- The air fryer I used in this recipe was the Instant Vortex Plus, 6 quart.
Try These Easy Air Fryer Recipes Next!
- Easy Air Fryer Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs + Video
- Easy Air Fryer Thin Boneless Pork Chops (no breading)
- Easy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders (no breading) + Video
- Easy Air Fryer Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs + Video
- Easy Air Fryer Fried Chicken without Buttermilk + Video
- Easy Air Fryer Pizza Stuffed Chicken Breasts + Video
- Easy Air Fryer Thick Pork Chops (no breading) + Video
- Easy Air Fryer Sirloin Steak + Video
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To a large mixing bowl, add the olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. Stir until well blended.
- Add the chicken tenderloins to the bowl and toss until well coated.
- Add the chicken tenderloins to the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 10 to 12 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to flip them after 6 minutes.
- Once done, immediately remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer so that they don't overcook. Let cool and then enjoy!
Notes
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Brush the air fryer basket with cooking oil and heat the chicken tenderloins for 2 to 3 minutes until warm throughout.
- Cook the chicken tenderloins in a single layer, don’t overcrowd the air fryer.
- Keep an eye on the chicken while cooking and don’t overcook or they can become tough. Immediately remove chicken from the air fryer once done or they can overcook. My chicken tenderloins took between 10 to 12 minutes to cook, smaller ones will take less time to cook.
- The air fryer I used in this recipe was the Instant Vortex Plus, 6 quart.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate. For accurate nutritional information you should refer to the nutritional labels on the packages of the specific ingredients that you used.
Danny
Delicious! Highly recommend these! Mine were done at 10 minutes. My whole family raved. Will be making these again for sure.