This marinated chicken tenders in air fryer recipe could become your new go-to chicken recipe. Moist, juicy chicken tenders with an abundance of aromatic flavor will have your family’s mouths watering by the time dinner hits the table.
Simple ingredients like rosemary, lime, cumin, and cilantro mingle with garlic, onion, oregano, and orange juice to create an irresistible flavor combination to coat the chicken. Then, the air fryer does its work on these marinated chicken tenders so that they are both crispy and juicy.
You could just season chicken tenders with a dry rub, but marination is the key to the best chicken tenders. The reason you want to marinate chicken tenders before air frying is that it helps them to become juicy and flavorful. And if you want to add on to this marinade to make it your own, go for it -- add Worcestershire or soy sauce for umami-rich flavor, brown sugar for sweetness, or Dijon mustard for more earthy flavor.
There is an abundance of air fryer chicken recipes out there, but many are coated in breading. With these crispy air fryer chicken tenders, you’ll achieve the perfect texture along with a bright, zesty, and earthy flavor that will make you want to make this recipe part of your regular weekly repertoire.
Ingredients you’ll need to make your own chicken marinade
**Find the full list of ingredients along with the recipe instructions at the end of this post**
- Garlic: Garlic adds a strong, savory flavor and aroma to the marinade. While fresh garlic cloves are best, garlic powder can be substituted.
- Onion: Diced onion provides a slightly sweet and pungent flavor. You can also substitute onion powder.
- Lime juice: Citrus imparts tanginess and helps to tenderize the meat. Substitute lemon juice, if preferred.
- Fresh orange juice: OJ adds a sweet and fruity taste to the marinade while also adding acidity.
- Fresh cilantro: The herbaceous flavor of cilantro adds fresh flavor to the marinade.
- Dried oregano: Oregano adds warmth and earthiness.
- Fresh rosemary: With its fragrant and pine-like flavor, rosemary adds a savory and aromatic note that’s a classic pairing with chicken.
- Smoked paprika: Smoky and slightly spicy, smoked paprika enhances the overall flavor profile and adds a hint of depth and complexity to the chicken. If you want more heat, try adding some cayenne pepper or chili powder.
- Ground cumin: Cumin provides an earthy and slightly nutty flavor to the marinade.
- Olive oil: Olive oil not only adds moisture to the chicken but also helps distribute the flavors evenly throughout the meat.
Tools used to make homemade chicken tenders
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How to marinate chicken tenders?
- Prepare the marinade by combining all ingredients in the food processor.
- Then, place the chicken, seasoned with salt and black pepper, in the ziploc bag.
- Pour in the recommended amount of marinade.
- Seal the bag and rub the ingredients together so that all sides of the chicken are fully coated.
- Refrigerate for the recommended amount of time.
How to cook marinated chicken tenders in an air fryer
Place the marinated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket and cook to 380ºF for 12 minutes turning halfway through or cooking until an instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165ºF.
Remove from the air fryer basket and serve with your favorite dipping sauce or side dishes. Enjoy!
Tips For the Best Air Fryer Chicken Fingers
- Avoid marinating the chicken for over 6 hours to avoid tough chicken tenders.
- If you have family members or guests who do not prefer the flavor of cilantro, try substituting Thai basil or parsley.
How long to cook marinated chicken tenders in the air fryer
These easy chicken tenders take less than 15 minutes (depending on size). Be sure to flip halfway through and use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature to be sure to reach the desired internal temperature.
What goes well with air-fried chicken tenders?
Chicken is such an easy dish to pair with sides -- it works well with nearly any vegetable or starch. Try serving it with hearty side dishes like potato salad, air fryer potato cubes, roasted sweet potatoes, or bacon-wrapped corn on the cob.
For lighter accompaniments, try spicy Buffalo cauliflower, broccoli parmesan, or green beans with bacon – you can also just serve a simple side salad.
How to store leftover air fryer marinated chicken tenders
Store air fryer marinated chicken tenders in the refrigerator for 3-4 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze leftover chicken tenders for up to 3 months in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container.
How to reheat air fry marinated chicken tenders in air fryer
To reheat marinated chicken tenders in the air fryer, place them in a single layer and heat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-4 minutes.
FAQ’s
The time for marinating chicken tenders before frying can vary depending on the recipe and the flavors you want to infuse into the meat. In general, you should marinate chicken tenders for at least 30 minutes. For greater flavor, marinate them for 2 to 6 hours in the refrigerator -- any longer may make the meat tough.
Chicken tenders are already a relatively tender cut of meat. However, tenderizing them before marinating can further enhance their tenderness and absorption of flavor if you choose to do so.
More Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipes you’ll love
- Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders
- Buffalo Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders
- Almond Flour Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
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Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Tenders Recipe
This marinated chicken tenders in air fryer recipe could become your new go-to chicken recipe. Moist, juicy chicken tenders with an abundance of aromatic flavor will have your family’s mouths watering by the time dinner hits the table.
Ingredients
For marinade:
- 6 cloves garlic
- ½ medium onion
- ½ cup lime juice
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 cup olive oil
For chicken
- 1 1/2 pound chicken tenders
- Salt and pepper to taste.
Tools
Instructions
- In a food processor, add garlic, onion, lime juice, orange juice, cilantro, oregano, rosemary, paprika, and cumin; blend until well incorporated. With the food processor or blender still running, pour in the olive oil and blend until smooth.
- Add the chicken tenders in a gallon-size Ziploc bag and season with salt and pepper. Pour one cup of the marinade, seal the bag, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 4 to 6 hours.
- Place the marinated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket and cook to 380ºF for 12 minutes, turning halfway through or cooking until an instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part registers 165ºF.
- Remove from the air fryer basket and serve with your favorite dipping sauce or side dishes. Enjoy!
Notes
- Avoid marinating the chicken for over 6 hours to avoid tough chicken tenders.
- If you have family members or guests who do not prefer the flavor of cilantro, try substituting Thai basil or parsley.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 6 oz.Amount Per Serving: Calories: 320Total Fat: 86gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 67gCholesterol: 104mgSodium: 459mgCarbohydrates: 45gFiber: 2gSugar: 7gProtein: 41g
Please keep in mind that the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on products used. When the recipe list salt to taste the amount of salt is not calculated, only the sodium in the other ingredients is calculated.