Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Quick, Easy, And Healthy

Learn how to make delicious and healthy chicken tenders using an air fryer. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.

Why You'll LOVE These Air Fryer Chicken Strips

Healthier Option - air frying chicken tenders instead of the traditional deep-fry method makes them a whole lot healthier with a lot less fat!

You Can Switch Up The Seasonings - air frying homemade chicken tenders means that you can swap and change the seasonings. Want half hot and spicy and half herby and mild, it's easy to do that!

Quick To Cook - air fried chicken tenders are quick to cook, so whilst they air fry you can throw together a salad and some sides.

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

Makes - 12 tenders

Prep Time – 10 minutes 

Cook Time – approx 15 minutes

Total Time – 25 minutes 

Our Most Popular Alternative – Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Equipment Needed 

• 3 shallow bowls
• Fork
• Tablespoon
• Teaspoon
• Air Fryer we use a a Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone Air Fryer – the 9.5 litre two drawer cooking space is BRILLIANT when you’re cooking for a family. And it makes cooking meat, chicken or fish and potatoes at the same time super easy!
• Silicone tongs
• Digital food thermometer

Ingredients For Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Everything you need to make our easy air fried chicken tenders from scratch

• 12 chicken tenders - or 3 chicken boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced into 4 strips each
• 2 tablespoon cornflour
• 2 large eggs - beaten
• 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs - you can use regular or panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• pinch black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

How To Make Chicken Tenders From Scratch In The Air Fryer

Step by step instructions for making easy homemade chicken tenders in the air fryer

Step One - make the breadcrumb coating

• Add the breadcrumbs to a shallow bowl, tip in the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and dried parsley. Add the salt and black pepper and mix everything together.

Step Two - coat the chicken tenders

• Dredge the chicken tenders with the cornflour to give them a light dusting.
• Then dip each tender into the beaten egg and then the breadcrumbs mixture, tossing until covered properly. Place each tender in to the air fryer basket. Be sure to keep the chicken tenders in a single layer and don't overcrowd the basket.

Step Three - air fry the chicken tenders

• You may have to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Give the chicken tenders a spritz of olive oil using a spray bottle.
• Then air fryer on 400F/200C for 7 minutes.

Step Four - flip the chicken tenders over to finish cooking

• After 7 minutes, turn the chicken tenders over using tongs, spritz in some more olive oil spray and air fry on the other side for a further 7 minutes or until cooked through properly* Use a digital thermometer to check the internal cooked temperature.

Cooks Note! Chunky or larger tenders may required a longer cooking time. Always check chicken is cooked through properly before eating.

Step Five - serve

• Remove from the air fryer and serve straight away with your favorite sides.

Get Our Air Fryer Chicken Recipes Here

What To Serve With Chicken Tenders 

Chicken tenders are super versatile for dinner, you can serve them with salads, on a hoagie or sub with toppings, alongside some French fries, wedges or potato salad. They go great with so many things - we've popped five faves below!

• Potato Salad
• Air Fryer Potato Wedges
• Sweet Potato Wedges - air fryer recipe
• Rice Salad
• Ranch Pasta Salad

Get All Our Air Fryer Recipes UK Here

Dipping Sauce Suggestions

You just cannot beat a pot of your favorite dipping sauce for dunking your chicken tenders in. Just go with your favorite - choose from tomato ketchup, BBQ sauce, ranch dip, sweet curry sauce, honey mustard, sweet chili dip, blue cheese dip or healthier options like hummus or homemade roasted tomato salsa.

Find More Chicken Breast Recipes Here

Recipe Tips And Variations

Try Different Seasoning 

You can easily swap the seasoning in the breadcrumb mix to suit your own tastes - try buffalo seasoning, ranch seasoning, add some chilli powder or chipotle seasoning. Go for some Indian flavors and add in some curry powder. It's easy to mix and match the breaded coating to your vibe.

Make It Gluten-Free

Swap the bread crumbs for a gluten free variety (or make your own by whizzing up gluten-free bread in the food processor) and be sure to use gluten free seasonings. Check the packet label and use gluten-free varieties of all ingredients.

How To Store Leftovers 

Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and used within 24 hours.

Ideas For Using Up Leftovers

Leftover chicken tenders are great as a snack with dips, sliced up into pasta or potato salads, or loaded onto sandwiches with fresh salad and mayo.

See All Our Chicken Recipes Here

Need Some New Family Meal Ideas?

Check out our meal planning here – it’s filled with recipes, meal planning tips and pre-filled printable meal plans weekly or seasonally. We’ve got hundreds of the BEST family recipes and meal ideas  your whole family will LOVE!

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straight from the Daisies & Pie kitchen

More Tasty Air Fryer Chicken Recipes To Make

• Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
• Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Breasts
• Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
• Air Fryer Chicken Flatbread Recipe
• Air Fryer Cajun Marinated Chicken
• Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
• Air Fryer Chicken Wings