Best Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer Recipe

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Hello there, fellow food lovers! Have you ever heard of Frozen chicken tenders in air fryer? It’s like a magical kitchen gadget that can fry your food without using gallons of oil!

I mean, let’s face it – we all love the taste of fried food, but our waistlines don’t love it quite as much.

Now, let’s talk about the benefits of cooking frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer. First off, you get that crispy, delicious coating without all the added fat and calories.

Plus, you don’t have to preheat your oven or wait for a pot of oil to heat up on the stove. And let’s be real, who has time for that?

So, if you’re like me and love the taste of fried food but don’t want to sacrifice your health (or your precious time), an air fryer is a way to go.

And trust me, once you try cooking frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer, you’ll never go back to any other method.

How to Cook Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer

Air fryers have become increasingly popular as a convenient and healthy way to cook a variety of foods. One of the most popular dishes to cook in an air fryer is chicken tenders.

With an air fryer, you can achieve crispy, golden-brown chicken tenders without the need for excess oil or a deep fryer. Whether you are cooking frozen chicken tenders or fresh ones, an air fryer can provide a quick and easy way to prepare a delicious meal.

In this recipe, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer, along with some tips and tricks to ensure that they come out perfectly every time.

Ingredients:

Let’s get into the ingredients you’ll need for this frozen chicken tenders in air fryer recipe:

• 1 package of frozen chicken tenders
• 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon of water
• 1 cup of breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking spray

Steps Step-by-step instructions on how to make chicken tenders in air fryer

1. Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your coatings. In one bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with some salt and pepper to taste.
3. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and water. In a third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
4. Take the frozen chicken tenders out of the package and pat them dry with paper towels. Then, coat each chicken tender in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally the breadcrumb mixture.
5. Make sure to press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken tender to ensure they stick well.
6. Once your air fryer is preheated, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. This will help prevent the chicken tenders from sticking.
7. Place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent the chicken from getting crispy.
8. You may need to cook the chicken tenders in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
9. Cook the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer.
10. The chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
11. Once the chicken tenders are fully cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
12. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!

That’s it – a super easy and delicious recipe that’s perfect for busy weeknights or whenever you’re craving some crispy chicken tenders.

How Long To Cook Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer

As a general rule, it’s recommended to cook frozen chicken tenders in air fryer for 10-12 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

However, the exact cooking time can vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken tenders. To ensure that the chicken is fully cooked, it’s also important to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are cooking fresh chicken tenders, the cooking time may be slightly shorter, but again, it will depend on the size and thickness of the chicken. It’s always best to consult the packaging or recipe for specific cooking times and temperatures.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips and tricks to make sure your frozen chicken tenders in air fryer recipe comes out perfect:

• Use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs for an extra-crispy coating.
• If you want to make your chicken tenders even more flavorful, add some dried herbs like oregano or thyme to the breadcrumb mixture.
• To prevent the chicken tenders from sticking to the air fryer basket, lightly spray the basket with cooking spray before adding the chicken tenders.
• Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can prevent the chicken tenders from getting crispy. Cook them in batches if necessary.
• If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat function, let it run for a few minutes before adding the chicken tenders to ensure it’s at the right temperature.

Suggestions for Side Dishes:

• French fries or sweet potato fries are classic sides that pair well with chicken tenders.
• A simple green salad with your favorite dressing is a refreshing and healthy side dish.
• Roasted or grilled vegetables, like broccoli or asparagus, make a great side dish that can complement the flavors of the chicken tenders.
• For a more indulgent side, you can make some mac and cheese or coleslaw.

How to Store chicken tenders

• Let the leftover chicken tenders cool to room temperature before storing them.
• Place the chicken tenders in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag.
• Store the chicken tenders in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

How To Reheat Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer

• Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the leftover chicken tenders in the air fryer basket.
• Cook for 3-5 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy again.
• You can also reheat the chicken tenders in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place the chicken tenders on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until heated through.
• For a quick and easy reheating method, you can also microwave the chicken tenders. Place them on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 30-60 seconds or until heated through.

FAQs About Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer

Conclusion

In conclusion, cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer is a great way to achieve a delicious and healthy meal with minimal effort. By following our step-by-step recipe and tips, you can ensure that your chicken tenders come out perfectly crispy and flavorful every time.

With the added benefit of minimal oil usage and a quicker cooking time, using an air fryer is a convenient and healthier option compared to traditional deep frying. Whether you’re serving them up for a family dinner or a party snack, chicken tenders in an air fryer are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer

In this recipe, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer, along with some tips and tricks to ensure that they come out perfectly every time.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 12 minutes mins

Total Time 22 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Equipment

• Air fryer
• Tongs (for flipping the chicken tenders)
• Instant-read thermometer (to check the internal temperature of the chicken)

Ingredients

  

• 1 package of frozen chicken tenders
• 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon of water
• 1 cup of breadcrumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking spray

See also  Pioneer Woman Beef Noodle Skillet

Instructions

 

• Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your coatings. In one bowl, mix the all-purpose flour with some salt and pepper to taste.
• In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and water. In a third bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Take the frozen chicken tenders out of the package and pat them dry with paper towels. Then, coat each chicken tender in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally the breadcrumb mixture.
• Make sure to press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken tender to ensure they stick well.
• Once your air fryer is preheated, lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. This will help prevent the chicken tenders from sticking.
• Place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket. Don’t overcrowd the basket, as this can prevent the chicken from getting crispy.
• You may need to cook the chicken tenders in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Cook the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer.
• The chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Once the chicken tenders are fully cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
• Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!

Notes

Here is an approximate breakdown of the nutritional values for a 3 oz serving of chicken tenders cooked in an air fryer:

• Calories: 160-180
• Total fat: 6-8g
• Saturated fat: 1-2g
• Cholesterol: 60-70mg
• Sodium: 380-400mg
• Total carbohydrates: 6-10g
• Protein: 18-20g

Keyword chicken tenders air fryer, chicken tenders in air fryer, Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer

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