Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders Recipe

Spicy and fragrant, these air fryer blackened chicken tenders are the perfect centerpiece for a family meal outside on a summer evening. And ready in less than 20 minutes!

Smoky paprika, spicy cayenne, and earthy thyme make up the delicious Cajun-style crust on these air fryer blackened chicken tenders. You’ll love how the spices work together as you bite through the crisp outside and into the moist chicken meat.

Blackened chicken tenders in air fryer are so quick to make; they take less than twenty minutes which is faster than either baking or using the grill. Plus, air frying seals in all of the meat's natural moisture for the juiciest chicken you’ve ever had!

These keto-friendly, blackened chicken tenders air fryer are entirely gluten-free but still crunchy on the outside! In addition, air frying creates a beautiful crust without the need for flour.

Ingredients you’ll need to make blackened chicken.

**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**

Chicken tenders: Perhaps the most succulent and tasty part of the chicken, the tenderloin, is a small strip of muscle located under the chicken breast. The soft meat is perfect for air frying!

Garlic powder: The earthy base of your blackened chicken rub, garlic powder, combines effortlessly with the other ingredients. Alternatively, you can use fresh garlic - just be sure to mince it.

Paprika: Adding a smokey layer to your chicken rub and an excellent partner to the garlic! Feel free to experiment with different paprika; it comes in extra sweet, smokey, and spicy varieties.

Cayenne pepper: Cayenne adds spice to your blackened chicken tenderloins with a slightly fruity flavor. You could also use red pepper flakes.

Dried thyme: Adds an earthy, slightly zesty note to your chicken. Oregano also works well. 

Salt and pepper: Essential for any seasoning; they bring out the flavors in the other ingredients.

Olive oil: Delicately flavored olive oil is the best for air frying. You could also use avocado oil, peanut oil, or grapeseed oil.

How to make blackened chicken tenders in air fryer?

Seasoning the tenders: Combine garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl, add chicken tenders and toss to coat.

Air Fry: Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer spritz with olive oil, set the air fryer to 380ºF, and cook for 6 minutes on each side or until an instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165ºF.

Serve: Remove from the air fryer and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Recipe tips

• If you want to make this recipe even more straightforward, substitute the garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and thyme for a cajun or creole spice mix - you can pick them up in most grocery stores.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that your blackened tenders have reached a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

How long to air fry blackened chicken tenders

It takes around 12 minutes (6 minutes per side) to cook blackened chicken tenders air fryer at a temperature of 380°F.

The exact time will depend on which model of air fryer you are using, so always use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

Blackened chicken side dishes

• Easy air fryer corn on the cob
• Sweet air fryer plantains
• Healthy black bean and corn salsa
• Air fryer smashed potatoes
• Air Fryer Baby Carrots

How to store air-fried chicken tenders

You can store leftover blackened tenders in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for four months. 

To store cooked chicken safely, always ensure that you move it into the fridge or freezer within two hours of cooking, as this helps limit the growth of bacteria. 

When storing leftovers, seal them in an airtight container or zip-top bag to guarantee freshness and quality.

How to heat up chicken tenders?

You can use the air fryer, oven, or stovetop to heat leftover blackened chicken strips air fryer. However, for the best results, I’d recommend the air fryer!

• In the air fryer, preheat to 350°F and then lay the chicken tenders out in a single layer. Heat for 3-5 minutes, flipping once halfway through. If your chicken tenders are frozen, increase the cooking time to around 12 minutes.
• In the oven, preheat to 400°F and lay the chicken out on a baking sheet. Heat for 15-20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. You must defrost frozen chicken tenders before heating them in the oven.
• On the stovetop, heat a little oil in a skillet. Gently place the chicken in the pan and heat for 1-2 minutes on each side. Ensure you keep the chicken moving to prevent it from burning.

When reheating chicken, always use a meat thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 165°F before serving.

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