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Easy Recipes for Everyone

Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders

Home » Uncategorized » Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders

Published August 31, 2021 by Jennifer. 5 Comments.
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Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders are a family favorite at my house! These low carb chicken fingers are homemade, delicious, easy, and only take 10 minutes. All using staple ingredients you probably already have on hand. It's an easy air fryer recipe this whole family will love.
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3.68 from 104 votes
Overhead view of air fryer grilled chicken tenders on a white plate ready to serve.
Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders are a family favorite at my house! These low carb chicken fingers are homemade, delicious, easy, and only take 10 minutes. All using staple ingredients you probably already have on hand. It's an easy air fryer recipe this whole family will love.

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.

Seasoned air fryer grilled chicken tenders garnished with fresh parsley on a white plate.

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!

Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders on a a white plate.

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 
Ingredients needed to make grilled chicken tenders in the air fryer.

How do I make Grilled Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Prepare the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray or olive oil spray.

  2. Remove the tendon from the chicken tenders and then add them to a medium-sized bowl.

    Chicken tenders in a mixing bowl.

  3. Add the olive oil to the chicken tenders and toss them so that they are fully coated.

    a dish with olive oil to be added to chicken tenders in a mixing bowl.

  4. Add the seasonings to the chicken tenders, stir, and coat them completely.

    oiled and seasoned chicken tenders in the mixing bowl ready to be grilled in the air fryer.

  5. 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.

    chicken tenders in the air fryer basket ready to be cooked.

  6. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce such as BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or honey mustard sauce.

    Grilled chicken tenders in the basket of the air fryer.

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.

Air Fried Grilled Chicken Tenders garnished with fresh parsley on a white plate ready to serve.

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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Let Me Know What You Think!

Be sure to leave a review of this recipe and give it a star rating. It lets me know how I am doing and lets others know they should try it! 

Tag Me In Your Photos! Are you on Facebook? If so, join the Easy Air Fryer Recipes Group (with hundreds of thousands of Air Fryer Fans!) and share your photos! I love to see your creations. If you’re on Instagram, tag me @pinkwhenjen. 

Have a Question or General Feedback?

Jump down to the COMMENT section and let me know! I would love to help and also love feedback on all of my posts. 

Have you made this? Rate our recipe below! Print the recipe, rate it, and learn more about PinkWhen!
Overhead view of air fryer grilled chicken tenders on a white plate ready to serve.
Review Recipe
3.68 from 104 votes
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Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders are a family favorite at my house! These low carb chicken fingers are homemade, delicious, easy, and only take 10 minutes. All using staple ingredients you probably already have on hand. It's an easy air fryer recipe this whole family will love.
Course Appetizer, dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 177kcal
Author Jennifer West

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

Calories: 177kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 482mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 163IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
**Nutrition facts are based on my best estimation for this recipe. They may not be accurate depending on what brands you use or modifications you might make to the recipe. For most accurate calculations, I recommend using a nutrition calculator with the exact brands and measurements you use with the recipe.
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August 31, 2021 · 5 Comments

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Do you feel like there is not enough time in the day? I'm with you. Hi! I'm Jen, a wife, mother, and tennis lover who likes to share all of my quick easy recipes, crafts, and more. You can find anything from delicious 30-minute dinners or scrumptious dessert recipes the whole family will love. Read more...

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