These No-Breading Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are juicy, tender, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. With no flour, breadcrumbs, or heavy coating, they’re perfect for a quick, lighter dinner or meal prep.

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken tenderloins
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika, optional
• ½ tsp lemon pepper, optional

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
2. Place the chicken tenders in a bowl and add olive oil and all the seasonings.
3. Toss until every piece is evenly coated.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 3 minutes, if your model recommends preheating.
5. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer, leaving a little space between them.
6. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8–12 minutes, turning halfway through.
7. Check the thickest tender with a meat thermometer. It should reach 165°F (74°C).
8. Remove from the air fryer and let the chicken rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.

🔥 Tips for Juicy Chicken Tenders

• Don’t overcrowd the basket.
• Try to use tenders of similar thickness so they finish together.
• Don’t overcook them—tenderloins are lean and can dry out quickly.
• Start checking the temperature around 8 minutes.
• A thermometer is much more reliable than cooking time alone.

🧄 Garlic Butter Tenders

After cooking, toss the hot tenders with:

• 1 tbsp melted butter
• 1 minced garlic clove
• ½ tsp parsley
• A squeeze of lemon juice

Delicious!

🍋 Lemon Pepper Tenders

Season with lemon pepper and garlic powder before cooking. Finish with fresh lemon juice and a little lemon zest.

🌶️ Spicy Tenders

Add:

• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• Pinch of chili flakes

Serve with ranch or your favorite hot sauce.

🍯 Honey Garlic Tenders

During the final 1–2 minutes, brush with:

• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 minced garlic clove

Watch carefully because the honey can caramelize quickly.

🥗 What to Serve With Them

These chicken tenders go perfectly with:

• Air fryer roasted potatoes
• French fries
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Rice
• Fresh salad
• Coleslaw
• Air fryer vegetables

❄️ Can You Cook Them From Frozen?

Yes, although fresh chicken tenders cook more evenly.

For frozen tenders, cook at approximately 380°F (193°C) for 15–20 minutes, turning halfway through. Check the thickest piece reaches 165°F (74°C).

♨️ Reheating

Reheat refrigerated chicken tenders at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.

Avoid cooking them for too long, as they can become dry.

⏱️ Quick Recipe Card

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 8–12 minutes
Temperature: 400°F / 200°C
Servings: 3–4
Difficulty: Easy
Safe internal temperature: 165°F / 74°C

⭐ Best tip: For the juiciest no-breading chicken tenders, start checking them early and remove them as soon as the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C).