Air Fryer Chicken Tenders - Family Favorite Air Fryer Chicken Recipe - (2024)

FAQs

How long to air fry chicken tenders fully cooked? ›

Place chicken tenders in an air fryer basket, making sure the pieces don't overlap. Cook in the air fryer at 360 degrees F (180 degrees C) for 15 minutes. Turn chicken tenders over and continue cooking until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 8 more minutes.

After testing a variety of temperatures, I found that 375 degrees F is the best temperature for air frying chicken. Because the air fryer uses convection heat, you do not need to set it as high as you would an oven (in a regular oven, 425 degrees F is best for baking chicken, like Bacon Wrapped Chicken Breast).

Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer, with the side you just sprayed facing down. Spray the other side of the chicken tenders with another layer of spray and air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8 minutes.

You sure can. The first time I did it felt strange because all I'd ever cooked in there was vegetables and pre-cooked foods like chicken nuggets, tater tots, etc. As long as you cook your chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees, it is perfectly safe to put raw chicken in an Air Fryer.

Air fry: Preheat the air fryer. Place the chicken on the air fryer basket / grate in an even layer, leaving a bit of space for air to circulate around. Air fry the chicken at 415 degrees for 10 minutes. If you have larger pieces of chicken, you'll want to go closer to 13 minutes.

Place chicken in the air fryer basket, presentation side down, and cook for 8 minutes at 375°F. Flip the chicken over and continue cooking until the thickest part registers 155°F on an instant-read thermometer, typically about 6 to 8 minutes longer.

Place chicken in air fryer basket, standing against sides of basket if necessary. Set to 350°F; cook 15 minutes. Turn chicken; cook 5 to 8 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is clear when center of thickest part is cut (at least 165°F).

Poke the Meat

This method applies to chicken specifically. For properly cooked chicken, if you cut into it and the juices run clear, then the chicken is fully cooked. If the juices are red or have a pinkish color, your chicken may need to be cooked a bit longer.

If your chicken tenders are not crispy in the air fryer, it could be due to insufficient preheating, overcrowding the basket, or not flipping the tenders halfway through cooking. Make sure to preheat your air fryer, leave enough space between tenders, and flip them for even cooking and crispiness.

Reheating Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer

To reheat chicken tenders in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the chicken tenders in the basket and cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Can you stack chicken tenders in an air fryer? ›

Can you stack chicken tenders in an air fryer? No one's going to stop you, but it's a pretty bad idea! Not only will your tenders stick together as the crust cooks, but you're also keeping each side of the tender from crisping up and preventing the meat from cooking thoroughly.

While the need for oil in air frying is not as great as when using an oven or frying something on a pan, a small amount of oil can go a long way in keeping your food moist and providing that golden brown color.

Cook at 360° for 9 minutes. Then flip the chicken breast over and cook for another 9 minutes. Larger chicken breasts need more cook time, and smaller ones need less time. Open the air fryer immediately so it doesn't continue cooking in the heat.

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Reheating chicken patties in an air fryer is 1,000 times better than trying to reheat them in the microwave. The breading stays crispy and it tastes like you just cooked them the first time! Preheat your air fryer 350 degrees. Place chicken patties into the air fryer and cook for 3-5 minutes until warmed thoroughly.

Fry the chicken tenders for approximately 5-7 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Flip them halfway through to ensure even frying.

USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.