Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins

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OH MY GOODNESS. These air fryer chicken tenderloins are tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned every time! We make them on repeat because they’re quick, easy, and always a hit. The perfect protein to pair with a simple veggie and whatever carb you have on hand, and the whole family will approve.

Making chicken tenderloins in the air fryer might be one of the smartest dinner moves you can make. You already know I love my air fryer, and honestly, most proteins cook so well and so fast in it. Some favorites around here are Air Fryer Salmon Bites, Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas, and Air Fryer Steak Bites, so throwing this recipe on the blog was a no brainer! You’re gonna love it too.

You can serve these chicken tenderloins as is with whatever carb and veggie you’ve got on hand, but I also love chopping them up and using them in soups, casseroles, and salads. They’re super versatile and have become a total family favorite. My daughter literally cheers when I tell her we’re having “the chicken tenders” for dinner.

Why Air Fryer Chicken Tenders work so well

I love to use boneless skinless chicken tenderloins. They’re smaller, thinner, and naturally more tender than chicken breasts, which means they cook quickly and evenly without turning rubbery or  drying out. No babysitting required!

We love the air fryer because it circulates hot air around the chicken, locking in moisture while the outside cooks up perfectly. All they need is a little oil, corn starch, and a solid seasoning combo. 

These just work. Even if you’re chasing a toddler or juggling a dozen things at once! Fast, reliable, and hard to mess up! 

You’re going to love these Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins

• Tender and juicy, never overcooked. The air fryer makes these tenderloins juicy and perfectly cooked every time.
• Full of flavor and super versatile. The seasoning works with just about anything. Serve them for dinner with a couple of sides, or chop them up for soups, casseroles, and salads.
• Quick and easy. Air frying means dinner is ready extra fast! These cook up in just 10 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunches.
• Simple ingredients. Chicken  oil and spices, can’t get much more simple than that!
• No breading needed. You won’t miss traditional breaded chicken tenders at all. I use cornstarch to help seal the chicken and help the spices stick super well. Bonus: this recipe is high protein, low carb, and gluten free!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Boneless skinless chicken tenderloins– you can use chicken breast and slice into thin strips to replicate the size of a tenderloin.
• Spices– I love the combo of onion and garlic powder, smoked paprika, and oregano.
• Cornstarch– Cornstarch actually helps keep the chicken juicy while giving the outside a light texture and helping the seasoning stick, all without breading.
• Oil– I use olive or avocado oil, but any neutral oil will work.
• Salt and pepper
• avocado oil spray

How to make chicken tenderloins in the Air Fryer

This is one of those recipes thats barely a recipe. It takes about 2 minutes to prep, if even. Anyone can do this!

• Preheat. Non negotiable, Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees for a few minutes. Spray with avocado oil spray.
• Prep Chicken. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Add chicken tenderloins, spices, cornstarch, and olive oil into a large bowl. You want the chicken to be coated super well so get in their with your hands!

Air Fry. Arrange the chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air Fryer until the chicken is cooked though and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Exact cook times might vary a little depending on your air fryer and the size of the tenderloins themselves, but most batches should be done in 10 minutes.

Note: Don’t overcrowd the chicken. You may have to cook in batches depending on air fryer and especially if you double the recipe.

What to serve with Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins

These air fryer chicken tenders go with just about anything, which makes them a super versatile protein for busy weeknights, quick lunches, and meal prep. They’re also really good cold straight from the fridge with a little bbq sauce on’m, which is ideal for those days when you’ve got approximately three minutes to eat… because real life, ask me how I know.

Veggie sides

• Roasted or air fryer broccoli
• Green beans, I love my Air Fryer Green Beans
• Air fryer carrots 
• Simple side salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, and your favorite dressing
• Steamed corn and peas are always a quick kid friendly hit!
• Cauliflower mash

Carb sides

• Healthy Mashed potatoes or these indulgent boursin mashed potatoes
• Rice 
• Roasted air fryer potatoes or air fryer sweet potatoes
• Mac and cheese for a comfort-style meal (I love the goodles brand for a quick and easy higher protein side)

Sauces for dipping

• Honey mustard
• BBQ sauce
• Ranch or Greek yogurt ranch
• Buffalo sauce
• Ketchup (a classic pairing)

Turn them into a meal

Dice it up and add to your favorite recipe that calls for cooked chicken!

• Salads: Southwest Chicken Salad, Healthy Chicken Salad, Chicken Macaroni Salad or Chicken Salad with Grapes. Add into Ramen Noodle Salad to make a full meal!
• Soups: Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup, Chicken Pot Pie Soup
• Casseroles: Chicken Tamale Casserole , Loaded Chicken Bubble Up Bake, Tater tot Topped Chicken Pot Pie
• Sandwiches/Wraps: Easy Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Wraps, Chicken BLT Sandwich
• More ways to use it: Buffalo Chicken Pasta, Chicken Street Tacos, Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip, Southwest Eggrolls, Loaded Baked Potatoes, Quick Burritos or Cheesy Quesadillas with salsa!

Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloin Variations

One of the best parts about this recipe for chicken tenderloins in the air fryer oven is that they can be totally customizable in the flavor department depending on what you’re feeling! Here’s a few ideas that I’ve tried and love. So a simple air fryer chicken tender base recipe can be used again and again.

• Garlic Parmesan– Add about 1/4 cup freshly graded parmesan, extra garlic powder (or freshly minced garlic), and a pinch of Italian seasoning to the seasoning mix. Garnish with a little parsley.
• BBQ Style-Season the same but then brush with your favorite BBQ sauce when you go to flip the tenders half way through the cooking time.
• Buffalo-Toss the cooked tenderloins in buffalo sauce after they are done cooking and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
• Lemon Pepper-Add salt-free lemon pepper seasoning (I love the kinder version) and finish with fresh lemon juice for a bright, simple flavor.
• Southwest-Use taco seasoning in place of seasoning mix.
• Oven Method– For best results, I do recommend using the air fryer, but if you want to use the oven you can. Place on a prepared baking sheet, cook at 375 degrees F for 12-15 minutes.
• Double the recipe– Easily double the recipe, just need to cook in multiple batches.

How to store and reheat

Storage: Place cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up 4 days.
Reheat: You can reheat in the air fryer at 350 for a few minutes til heated through (be careful not to over cook), in a skillet on the stove top, or in the microwave for about.
Freeze: You can freeze in a freezer safe container or baggie for about 3 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

If you’re looking for a reliable, easy chicken recipe that works for just about any meal, these air fryer chicken tenderloins are absolutely it. They’re fast, flavorful, and family approved!

This is one of those recipes you’ll make once and then keep coming back to because it just works!

Don’t forget to leave a comment below and let me know how it went!