Air Fryer Grilled Chicken Tenders
Air fryer chicken tenders are moist, juicy, easy to make and ready in 10 minutes. These chicken tenderloins cooked in the air fryer are healthy and made without any breading. Naturally gluten free, dairy free, Whole30 and low carb friendly.
Servings 4
Calories 230kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken tenders
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder or dried chives
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Prep the chicken by removing the white tendons from the chicken tenderloins. Use a knife or fork and paper towel method (see below).
- Add chicken to bowl with olive oil, apple cider vinegar and spices. Stir well until all the chicken is well coated.
- Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket (try not to overlap the chicken).
- Cook in air fryer at 375F for 8 minutes. After 6 minutes, pause the air fryer and flip the chicken.
- After 8 minutes, turn off the air fryer but don't open the air fryer basket. Let the chicken rest for 2 minutes in the hot air fryer basket to continue to cook. This helps ensure the chicken is cooked without overcooking it).
- Check the chicken to ensure it's fully cooked (should read 165F in the thickest part. If it needs more time, cook 1-2 more minutes at 375F.
Notes
Top tips
- Take the time to remove the white tendon from the tenders. Although tenders are thin and easy to cook, leaving the white tendon in can make them chewy and less delicious.
- The cooking time will depend on how thick the chicken tenders are and how strong your air fryer is. I have tested this recipe 4 times in my Ninja Air Fryer and it works perfectly each time. If you have a different model, you may need more time.
- Don’t let the chicken overlap or it may take longer to cook, which can dry out the chicken.
- Make this with chicken breast instead of tenders if you prefer. Cut the chicken breast down into 1-1.5 inch long pieces for easy cooking.
- Change up the flavor based on what you are serving with the air fryer grilled chicken tenders.
- Mexican - reduce the paprika to 1/2 teaspoon and add 1 teaspoon chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon cumin.
- Italian - reduce the paprika down to 1/4 teaspoon and add 1.5 teaspoons of italian seasoning
- Greek - reduce the paprika down to 1/4 teaspoon and add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano. Use lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar
- Smoky - reduce the paprika to 1/2 teaspoon and add 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- Spicy - add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper
- Ranch - omit the paprika. Use a total of 1 tablespoon dried chives, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon dried dill and 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
- BBQ - add 1/4 teaspoon dried mustard powder and 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Everything bagel – reduce the paprika down to 1/4 teaspoon and reduce the salt to 1/2 teaspoon. Add 1 tablespoon of everything bagel seasoning.
Nutrition
Calories: 230kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 8g | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.1g