Tender slices of chicken breasts are coated with delicious spices and then air-fried to perfection in this Air Fryer Chicken Tenders No Breading recipe. Baked so they are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these tenders are loaded with flavor. Feel free to dip them in your favorite dipping sauces or enjoy them as is.
Why You Will Love This No-Breading Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This easy recipe takes only 20 minutes from start to finish, making it the perfect quick dinner for busy weeknights.
- Healthy Option: These chicken tenders are cooked with simple ingredients and without a breading for healthy air fryer chicken tenders.
- Versatile Seasoning: The spice blend in this air fryer chicken tenders recipe elevates the taste of the chicken, adding depth and richness to it.
- Customizable Dipping Sauces: Serve these air fryer chicken tenderloins with your favorite dipping sauce, such as buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, or ranch dip.
If you enjoy these air-fried naked chicken tenders, you may also like these Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs, Baked Chicken Kiev, Sous Vide Whole Chicken or our delicious Air Fryer Chicken Katsu recipe!
Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders: These lean, tender cuts of chicken cook quickly and evenly. They also absorb flavors well and remain juicy after cooking. Buy them pre-cut to save time!
- Onion and Garlic Powder: Adds a savory depth of flavor to the chicken, complementing the other spices and enhancing their taste. You can substitute it with finely minced fresh onion or garlic.
- Smoked Paprika: Adds a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to the chicken, giving it depth and complexity. Regular paprika can be used in this air fry chicken tenders recipe, but it won't have a smoky flavor.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs containing oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, which adds a Mediterranean flair to the chicken. You can make your blend using equal parts of the individual herbs.
- Olive Oil: Coats the chicken tenders, helping the seasoning stick. It also promotes browning during cooking. Olive oil spray, avocado oil, canola, or vegetable oil can be used instead if you prefer.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Seasons the chicken and enhances its flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount according to your taste.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Use drumsticks instead: Try drumsticks, boneless, or bone-in instead of chicken tenders. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time.
- Spice them up: Stir in some red chili flakes or add sriracha to the chicken seasoning. You can also add some of our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the seasoning mixture.
- Sprinkle with sesame seeds: Add sesame seeds to the chicken seasonings for more flavor and crunch. Toast them beforehand for a deeper flavor.
- Drizzle with fresh lemon juice: Once the tenders are cooked squeeze fresh lemon juice over them for a fresh, tart flavor.
- Add cheese: Freshly grated parmesan adds a nice salty cheesy flavor. You can add the parmesan before cooking or after cooking the chicken tenders.
How to Make Chicken Tenders Without Breading
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Tenders. Place the chicken tenders in a medium or large mixing bowl and drizzle the olive oil over the pieces. Sprinkle the seasoning blend on top.
Step 2: Season the Chicken. Gently toss the chicken pieces to ensure an even coating.
Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer. Arrange the seasoned chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
Step 4: Cook the Chicken. Air fry the chicken tenders for about 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) when tested with a meat thermometer.
Step 5: Serve. Once cooked, remove the naked chicken tenders from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes.
Step 6: Enjoy with a sauce. Serve this easy meal with your favorite dipping sauce, such as buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.
If you love chicken tenders, try our air fryer chicken tenders or hot honey chicken tenders WITH a breading! If your feeling up for it, try our Easy Crock Pot Salsa Chicken, Honey Butter Chicken (Air Fryer & Oven)recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with Flour, Butterfly Drumsticks, Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders or our Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken recipe.
Storage
- Storage: Allow the cooked chicken tenders to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw the frozen tenders overnight in the fridge before reheating them.
- Reheat: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place them in a single layer in the basket. Cook them for 5-7 minutes, or until they are heated through and crispy.
Serving Suggestions
Perfect for lunch, weeknight dinner, holidays, potlucks, family dinners, parties, and a crowd, these chicken tenders are guaranteed to please. Here are a few ways to serve them:
- Pair them with this strawberry spinach salad or this pesto salad with lemon dressing for lunch.
- Make for a game day snack along with these cheesy mushrooms appetizer toasts, or these cheesy bacon potato bites.
- Make and serve for dinner with this instant pot cheesy broccoli rice or this red red rice.
Recipe Tips
- Even Coating: Make sure the raw chicken tenders are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and crisps up nicely as well.
- Single Layer: Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket for even cooking.
- Monitor Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the chicken's internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption and to prevent over-cooking the chicken.
- Flip Halfway Through: For even browning flip the chicken tenders halfway through the cooking time.
- Let Them Rest: Allow the cooked chicken fingers to rest for a few minutes before serving so you can end up with juicy chicken tenderloins.
Recipe FAQs
Though it's possible to use frozen chicken tenders, they might need a longer cooking time. I recommend thawing them before seasoning and cooking.
Yes, you can marinate the chicken tenders in your favorite marinade for added flavor. Just make sure to pat them dry before seasoning and cooking.
Absolutely! I recommend cooking a batch ahead of time and storing them in the refrigerator or freezer for easy meal prep throughout the week.
More Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
Do you like using the air fryer to prepare meals? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
No Breading Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, combine the onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
- Place the chicken tenders in a medium or large mixing bowl and drizzle the olive oil over them.
- Sprinkle the seasoning blend over the chicken tenders, then gently toss them to ensure even coating.
- Arrange the seasoned chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
- Air fry the chicken tenders for about 10-12 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C) when tested with a meat thermometer.
- Once cooked, remove the naked chicken tenders from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes. Serve this easy meal with your favorite dipping sauce, such as buffalo sauce, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing.
Notes
- Even Coating: Make sure the raw chicken tenders are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and crisps up nicely as well.
- Single Layer: Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket for even cooking.
- Monitor Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to check the chicken's internal temperature to ensure it reaches 165°F (75°C) for safe consumption and to prevent over-cooking the chicken.
- Flip Halfway Through: For even browning flip the chicken tenders halfway through the cooking time.
- Let Them Rest: Allow the cooked chicken fingers to rest for a few minutes before serving so you can end up with juicy chicken tenderloins.
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