Chicken tenders cook really fast in the air fryer, which is why I make them a lot on busy days. You only need a few seasonings, and they're ready in minutes without turning on the oven.
The main thing with chicken tenders is not overcooking them. Since they're small, they can dry out quickly when they stay in the air fryer too long.
This is my simple no-breading chicken tenders method. Use it when you want a quick dinner protein, or choose one of the flavor variations below when you want Buffalo, blackened, breaded, teriyaki, honey mustard, or almond flour chicken tenders.
How Long to Cook Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Chicken tenders usually take 8-12 minutes in the air fryer, depending on their size and your air fryer.
For this recipe, I cook 1½ pounds of chicken tenders at 385°F for about 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Smaller tenders may finish closer to 8-10 minutes. Start checking near the end of the cook time and remove each tender as soon as the thickest part reaches 165°F.
Quick Success Tips
- Use similar-size tenders when possible. Smaller pieces can finish before larger ones.
- Season all sides. Roll the tenders in the parmesan seasoning so each piece is coated.
- Keep the basket in one layer. Stacked tenders cook unevenly.
- Flip halfway through. Both sides need time against the hot air.
- Start checking early. Chicken tenders cook quickly and can dry out fast.
- Remove at 165°F. Pull each tender from the air fryer as soon as the thickest part reaches 165°F.
- Rest for a couple of minutes. A short rest helps keep the chicken tender.
How to Keep Chicken Tenders from Drying Out
Chicken tenders cook quickly, which is helpful on busy nights, but they can dry out when they stay in the air fryer too long.
The best thing I do is start checking near the end of the cook time and remove each tender as soon as it reaches 165°F in the thickest part.
Let the tenders rest for a couple of minutes before serving so they stay tender when you cut into them.
Ingredients you'll need
- Chicken tenders: Tenderloins cook quickly and are easy to season. Try to use pieces that are close in size so they finish around the same time.
- Salt and black pepper: Season the chicken before adding the parmesan mixture.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds savory flavor and helps the tenders brown lightly. The grated parmesan from a container works well here.
- Paprika: Adds color and mild flavor.
- Garlic powder: Gives the tenders simple savory flavor without needing fresh garlic.
- Oregano and Italian seasoning: Add herby flavor that works well with parmesan.
- Thyme and ground mustard: Optional, but they add a little more depth to the seasoning.
Choose Your Chicken Tender Flavor
This is the simple no-breading parmesan-seasoned version. When you want a different flavor or texture, try one of these chicken tender recipes:
- Teriyaki chicken tenders for a sweet-savory glaze.
- Buffalo chicken tenders for tangy heat.
- Honey mustard chicken tenders for a sweet and tangy dinner.
- Breaded chicken tenders when you want a crispy coating.
- Blackened chicken tenders for smoky spice.
- Almond flour chicken tenders for a different coating option.
How to season chicken tenders?
For this recipe, you will need to combine all the ingredients in a bowl and roll the chicken tender until well coated with the mix.
How to make chicken tenders in the air fryer
Combine the parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, ground mustard, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
Season the chicken tenders with salt and black pepper.
Roll the chicken tenders in the seasoning mixture until coated on all sides.
Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches when needed.
Air fry at 385°F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the thickest part reaches 165°F.
Remove the tenders from the air fryer right away and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
Helpful Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning so the parmesan mixture sticks better.
- Keep the tenders in one layer. Stacked chicken cooks unevenly.
- Flip halfway through so both sides cook the same.
- Check smaller pieces early because they can finish before larger ones.
- Remove each tender as soon as it reaches 165°F.
- Let the tenders rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
- For a little more browning, add 1-2 minutes only after checking the temperature. Extra time can make chicken tenders dry.
The Basic Method for Air Fryer Chicken
This recipe follows the same simple method I use in my air fryer chicken recipes. If you want more details, you can also check my air fryer chicken thighs or air fryer chicken breast guides.
How to Know When Chicken Tenders Are Done
- The easiest way to check is with a meat thermometer. Chicken tenders are done when they reach 165°F in the thickest part.
- The chicken should feel firm and no longer look pink inside.
Make It a Meal
Easy dinner plate: Serve chicken tenders with broccoli, green beans, carrots, rice, potatoes, or sweet potatoes.
Dipping-sauce plate: Add ranch, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, ketchup, Buffalo sauce, or garlic sauce.
Wrap or sandwich: Slice the tenders and add lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese, and your favorite sauce.
Rice bowl: Serve over rice with vegetables and a drizzle of sauce.
Salad dinner: Slice the tenders over greens with cucumber, tomatoes, avocado, and dressing.
Meal prep: Pack the cooled tenders with rice, vegetables, or salad ingredients for easy lunches.
How to Store and Reheat Chicken Tenders
Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. A vacuum-sealed bag can help them keep longer.
Reheat refrigerated tenders in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, or just until hot. Start checking early because reheating too long can make chicken tenders dry.
The microwave works when you are in a hurry, but the texture is usually better from the air fryer.
Why Are My Tenders Dry in the Air Fryer?
Chicken tenders usually dry out when they are overcooked. Because they are smaller than other cuts, they cook quickly and can go from done to dry in just a few minutes.
The best way to avoid this is to check them early and remove them as soon as they reach 165°F.
FAQs
Yes, flipping halfway helps them cook evenly.
Yes, but frozen raw chicken tenders need more time than fresh. Keep the same temperature and cook until the thickest part reaches 165°F. For fully cooked frozen breaded tenders, follow the package directions.
It is best not to stack them. Chicken tenders cook more evenly in a single layer with space around each piece.
Chicken tenders are the small, natural strip of meat attached to the chicken breast. Chicken strips are usually cut from the breast, so they may be slightly thicker and take a little longer to cook.
You do not always need to preheat, but preheating can help the chicken cook more evenly. Start checking early when using a preheated air fryer because the tenders may cook faster.
Yes. Breaded chicken tenders cook well in the air fryer, but they use a different method than these no-breading tenders. Keep them in one layer, spray lightly with oil when needed, and cook until the thickest part reaches 165°F.
Other air fryer Chicken Recipes you'll love to try
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
- Frozen Chicken Breast in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Frozen Chicken Drumsticks in the Air Fryer
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These air fryer chicken tenders are seasoned with parmesan, paprika, garlic, and herbs for a quick no-breading chicken dinner. They cook fast, stay juicy when removed at 165°F, and work well with dipping sauces, wraps, bowls, salads, or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
- Salt and black pepper
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground thyme (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard (optional)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Season with salt and black pepper.
- In a small bowl, combine the parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, ground mustard, and Italian seasoning.
- Roll the chicken tenders in the seasoning mixture until coated on all sides.
- Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook in batches when needed.
- Air fry at 385°F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the thickest part reaches 165°F.
- Remove the tenders from the air fryer right away and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Smaller tenders may finish before 12 minutes, so start checking near the end of the cook time.
- Keep the tenders in one layer so they cook evenly.
- No oil is needed for this recipe.
- These are no-breading chicken tenders, so they will not be crispy like breaded tenders.
- For a little more browning, add 1–2 minutes only after checking the internal temperature. Extra time can dry out chicken tenders.
- You can omit the grated parmesan and cook the tenders with just the seasoning.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 350Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 242mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 2gSugar: 0gProtein: 23g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used. The amount of salt you use is not calculated in this recipe.
Liz says
Do you use fresh grated Parmesan cheese or the one in jar/container? Does Air Fryer Lid come with air fryer basket?
Veronica says
Hi Liz! I use the one in a container. Yes, it comes with the basket, sometimes I use the pressure cooker trivet if I'm making something bigger.
Diane Steinbruegge says
Would this recipe also work with chicken breast? If so, how long should I cook them?
Veronica says
You can make this recipe with chicken breast, depending on the size of your chicken breast. I do 20 minutes at 400F
L B says
I made chicken tenders with my instant pot air fryer lid. I cooked 15 minutes at 400°and used the broil tray as a second level. I had tenders in the bottom of the basket and on the tray. They were cooked perfectly although I could have increased the cook time to get a bit more crisp. I'll definitely do it again! Thank you for your suggestion
Veronica says
Hi LB! Thank you for giving this recipe a try. When I use trail, I give a couple more minutes to those in the button to get a very nice crispy.
Dale Whitcomb says
I don't have an air fryer but thinking the seasonings sound good. Any thoughts on either baking them or cooking them on the stove in a little oil? Think I would need to dip the chicken in egg first? What temperature in the over?
Veronica says
Hi Dale,
Before air fryer was a thing, I used to make them in the oven 350 F for 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Brush olive oil on the sheet pan, then place the chicken tenders. And bake in a preheated oven.
Enjoy!
Veronica
Barbara Adamich says
Perfect! My first recipe using the air fryer lid, and it came out tender, moist on the inside and super crispy on the outside! Thank you!
Veronica says
Thank you Barbara! So happy you tried and liked this recipe.
Julia says
I used fresh grated cheese and all the seasonings. Cooked exactly as recipe stated. Delicious and super easy. This was my first time using an air fryer and they turned out perfect. I dipped in Blue cheese dressing. Thank you!
Veronica says
So happy you tried your new air fryer with this recipe. Love the idea of freshly grated cheese.
Vero
Kaitlyn says
Can you stack chicken strips on top of one another? Or do you need all sides exposed? And just confirming that no oil is needed? Thanks! Excited to try it!
Veronica says
Hi Kaitlyn,
No oil is needed. Arrange them in a single layer for even cooking; otherwise, some parts will be overcooked and others undercooked.
Vero
Pete says
I am alergic to cheese of any kind (Never eaten a pizza or had a cheese burger! :)) can I just use breadcrumbs instead of cheese or should I use Panko?
Veronica says
Hi Pete!
Yes, you can use breadcrumbs or vegan grated parmesan cheese if you want the cheesy flavor.
Mair says
I know that you said that these tenders have to be cooked in a single layer but would I be able to cook them in one pan stacked on another? If the tenders have to be kept warm in the oven whilst the second batch cooks it seems as though it defeats the object of doing them in the instant pot air fryer.
Veronica says
Hi Mair,
If you want to use the dehydrator tray to stack them, sure you can. The cooking time will be different, and the tenders won't cook evently if you stack them together.
Diana says
Hi - if I wanted to make these from frozen, what cooking time and temp would you suggest?
Veronica says
I'll keep the same temperature and go with an instant meat thermometer until they reach 165º F.
Diana says
Hi! If I wanted to air fry these from frozen what temp. and time should I use?
Veronica says
Hi Dianna,
I haven't tried this recipe with frozen chicken. But if you give it a try let me know how it goes.
Vero
Sheila says
Hi There,
Going to try my Instant Pot Duo with Air Fryer lid tonight for the first time with the Crispy Chicken Tenders. I've look at other recipes, but like yours the best so far.
Just one question, I want to be sure, you do not need to spray tenders or basket with any oil before cooking.
Thanks so much - excited to try it tonight!
Sheila
Veronica says
How exciting!
I don't use oil with this recipe. Keep in mind they aren't crispy crunchy.
Vero