Air Fryer Naked Chicken Tenders
These “naked” chicken tenders are seasoned to perfection and cooked in the air fryer for a juicy inside and a lightly golden exterior, all without the need for breading. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal, salads, or meal prep.
About Time:
- Yields: 2-4 servings
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 10-15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins (or chicken breasts cut into 1-inch thick strips)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or avocado oil)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika for extra flavor)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, Italian seasoning, or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a kick.
- Cooking spray (optional, for air fryer basket)
Instructions:
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. This helps the seasonings stick and promotes a better sear.
- Season the chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken tenders with olive oil. Toss to coat evenly.
- Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper (and any other optional seasonings you choose). Toss again until the chicken is evenly coated with the spices.
- Preheat air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375∘F (190∘C) for 3-5 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray if desired to prevent sticking.
- Air Fry: Place the seasoned chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Do not overcrowd the basket; cook in batches if necessary to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through the cooking time. The cooking time can vary based on your air fryer model and the thickness of your tenders.
- Check for doneness: The chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165∘F (74∘C) in the thickest part.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer to verify. If they are not quite done, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Rest and serve: Once cooked, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and let them rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. This helps keep them juicy.
Tips:
- Don’t overcrowd: Overcrowding the air fryer basket will steam the chicken instead of crisping it. Cook in batches if needed.
- Flip for even cooking: Flipping the tenders halfway through ensures both sides get exposed to the circulating hot air for even browning.
- Vary the seasonings: Feel free to experiment with different spice blends like lemon pepper, taco seasoning, or a smoky BBQ rub.
- Marinade for extra flavor: For even more flavor, you can marinate the chicken tenders in your favorite liquid marinade (like a teriyaki or lemon-garlic marinade) for at least 20-30 minutes, or up to a few hours in the refrigerator, before air frying. Just be sure to drain off excess marinade before cooking.
- Serve with: These naked chicken tenders are great with your favorite dipping sauces (ranch, honey mustard, BBQ sauce), sliced over salads, in wraps, or as part of a meal prep bowl.
- Storage: Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They can be reheated gently in the air fryer.