Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders are a family favorite at my house! These low carb chicken fingers are delicious and easy and only take 10 minutes with staple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
I love crispy chicken tenders but sometimes I have to skip the breading and make these flavored, naked tenders. It’s one of my favorite air fryer recipes because of how quick they are to make. Perfect for those busy weeknights when you are running fast and trying to get dinner on in a flash.
If you love chicken and love your air fryer, you will also love these Air Fryer Chicken Breasts, Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breasts, or these Air Fryer Chicken Wings. Each of them is easy and all of them are favorites in our house.
If you’re looking for a large list of easy finger foods and appetizers, check out this list of air fryer super bowl recipes. Even if you aren’t watching a game, it’s the perfect list for family gatherings!
To make these healthy air fryer chicken tenders you only need to have a few things on hand and then the rest is history.
But before we get started, if you’re in a hurry, head down to the bottom of this post and grab the free printable recipe card with all of our notes, tips, and tricks. If you’re not in a hurry, keep reading more about this easy recipe!
Ingredients Needed:
- olive oil
- chicken tenders
- ground black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- paprika
How do I make Grilled Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Prepare the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray.
- Remove the tendon from the chicken tenders and then add them to a medium-sized bowl.
- Add the olive oil to the chicken tenders and toss them so that they are fully coated.
- Add the seasonings to the chicken tenders, stir, and coat them completely.
- Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken at the 5 minutes mark. The strips should be perfectly crispy and golden brown.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce such as BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard sauce.
FAQs
Can I use Chicken Breasts for this recipe?
Yes! You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts to make this same grilled chicken recipe. Use two to three chicken breasts and cut each of them into thirds.
How do I remove the tendon from the chicken tender?
If the tendon is thick, you will want to remove it from the tender. I’ve found the best way is to pierce the nub of the tendon and pull it out with a fork. However, removing the entire tendon can make the chicken fall apart. If the tendon is not thick, just remove the thick nub with a knife and leave the rest of the tendon alone.
What are other seasonings I can use for chicken tenders?
I love to use different seasonings like Italian seasoning, chili powder, blackened seasoning, or ranch seasoning. You can also change up the flavors by serving these with BBQ sauce and honey mustard dipping sauce. Add panko breadcrumbs with an egg wash if you want crispy chicken tenders.
Grilled Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
This chicken tenderloins recipe is one the whole family will enjoy. Serve this as a main dish and make it a complete meal with french fries or tater tots. Or get fancy and serve them with baked potatoes, air fryer corn on the cob, and a simple side salad.
You’re going to love this homemade chicken tenders recipe that uses simple ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Looking for more easy peasy air fryer recipes? Here are a few of my favorites:
MORE AIR FRYER RECIPES:
- Easy Frozen Chicken Wings in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Crispy Chicken Thighs
- Best Chicken Wings
- Whole Chicken
- Chicken Nuggets
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Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 10 chicken tenders
- 1 teaspoon black ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Prepare the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray.
- Remove the tendon from the chicken tenders and then add them to a medium-sized bowl.
- Add the olive oil to the chicken tenders and toss them so that they are fully coated.
- Add the seasonings to the chicken tenders and coat them.
- Place the seasoned chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken at the 5 minutes mark. The strips should be perfectly crispy and golden brown.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce such as BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard sauce.
Notes
Can I use Chicken Breasts for this recipe?
Yes! You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts to make this same grilled chicken recipe. Use two to three chicken breasts and cut each of them into thirds.How do I remove the tendon from the chicken tender?
If the tendon is thick, you will want to remove it from the tender. I’ve found the best way is to pierce the nub of the tendon and pull it out with a fork. However, removing the entire tendon can make the chicken fall apart. If the tendon is not thick, just remove the thick nub with a knife and leave the rest of the tendon alone.What are other seasonings I can use for chicken tenders?
I love to use different seasonings like Italian seasoning, chili powder, blackened seasoning, or ranch seasoning. You can also change up the flavors by serving these with BBQ sauce and honey mustard dipping sauce. Add panko breadcrumbs with an egg wash if you want crispy chicken tenders.Nutrition
*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’re using with each recipe.
©PinkWhen 2023
