I’ve made these air fryer chicken tenders at least 30 times because my kids are obsessed! My recipe includes the perfect blend of seasonings and they’re easy to make.

Chicken tenders without breading cooked in air fryer on plate with a bit taken out of one

My Favorite Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

My air fryer chicken tenders were created because my family absolutely loves chicken, but using breading can be a bit much to have so often.

I wanted to create a low-carb option that would make this recipe something we could eat again and again. And it turned out to do just that!

The flavors from the spices really make the chicken pop and even my kids are loving this one! I have to make it every other week for my son, who has been obsessed with dipping them in ketchup.

And, if you love making chicken tenders in the air fryer, try my buffalo chicken tenders, fried chicken tenders, panko chicken tenders, and even frozen chicken tenders!

Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with No breading

Chicken tenders — I’ve used chicken breasts cut into strips instead, too
Olive oil — I’ve also used vegetable or corn oil
Smoked paprika — or normal paprika
Onion and garlic powder
Dried thyme, oregano, and basil — I find Italian seasoning works great as a substitute
Salt and pepper
Cayenne pepper

How to Cook Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.

STEP TWO: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels, then place them in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat completely.

STEP THREE: Mix the seasonings together in a small bowl, then sprinkle evenly over the chicken tenders.

STEP FOUR: Air fry the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cooking time, until they are cooked through and golden on the outside and hit an internal temperature of 165 degrees when using a meat thermometer.

flip chicken tenders over in air fryer halfway through cook time

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Chicken Strips

Place them in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer to allow them to cook evenly. If you need to, cook them in batches.
To keep them keto-friendly, serve them with a low-carb dipping sauce like my favorite buffalo sauce recipe.
Always let the air fryer preheat before adding the chicken tenders. This helps the outside of the chicken get as crispy as possible without overcooking the chicken.
Reheat any leftovers in a preheated air fryer at 350 degrees F for about 3 to 5 minutes until warmed.

What To Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

On a normal night, I love to pair these with french fries, tater tots (my kids’ favorite), sweet potato fries, or onion rings. My kids dip them in ketchup and ranch while my favorite dipping sauces are BBQ sauce and honey sriracha sauce.

If I’m trying to keep this a low-carb meal, I serve them alongside asparagus, carrots, or frozen green beans along with a salad.

air fryer chicken tenders with no breading on plate with lemon wedges

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders FAQs

Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Chicken Tenderloins?

Yes! I do this a ton when I only have chicken breasts in the house. Just use boneless skinless chicken breasts and cut them into thin strips to create chicken tenders.

How to Store leftover chicken Fingers

Store any leftover chicken tenders in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 or 4 days or freeze them for up to 3 to 4 months. Since this recipe uses no breading, I find they keep for that full time compared to breaded chicken tenders that can get a little more soggy.

naked air fryer chicken tenders on plate with lemon wedges on side

Can I Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?

Yes, I do this all the time! If you’re using pre-cooked frozen chicken tenders from the store, just cook them in a preheated air fryer at 360 degrees for about 12 minutes.

Can I Cook Raw Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?

Absolutely! This recipe is meant to be used with raw chicken tenderloins.

How Long to cook Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer with no breading

I find chicken tenders only take 10 to 12 minutes to cook in a preheated air fryer at 400 degrees F. Thicker chicken fingers may take a little longer.

hand grabbing an air fryer chicken tender with no breading

More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes

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