Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders

2024-06-16 /Posted byYoga Pit / 57

Crunchy & Crispy. Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. It’s the NEW thing!

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These tenders are perfect for the days that seem to move far too quick, place you in a pinch, and leave you in need of a warm and delicious dish! A fairly recent invention, air fryers have been around since 2006 and work by circulating hot air rapidly throughout its interior. You simply place your frozen tenders in a perforated tray, and that’s it! The cook time is less than 15 minutes and it’s a great dish to make when you are in a bind and simply do not have enough time. Not to mention it’s budget and kid friendly as well. I love to make these after a long day, when my tank is running low and I don’t have the fuel to create a more elaborate meal. They are quick, easy and delicious!

The key to these tenders is all in the sauce. I like to pair them with a creamy mixture that doubles as a dipping sauce and salad dressing too. Blend an entire avocado with a drop of olive oil, a splash of lime and touch of sea salt. The creaminess in the avocado perfectly complements the crunchy texture of the breaded fried tender.

Another great thing about these tenders is they can stand on their own as a main dish or be used as toppings for salads or rice bowls. Regardless of what you choose, one thing is for sure, the crispier and crunchier, the BETTER. Make sure to heat your air fryer to 360 degrees F or higher. The hotter, the crispier. The cook time is EVERYTHING, it ensures your tenders have a happy and crisp ending. The last thing we want is soggy tenders.

How to make Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders Healthy?

Fresh ingredients are key to making any dish more nutritious! I always try to pair frozen dishes with FRESH herbs. I remember watching Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee on Food Network growing up and she always emphasized the importance of mixing in fresh ingredients when preparing meals… of course, resulting in semi-homemade dishes! So if you have some spare time on your hands, I recommend making a fresh dipping sauce or seasoning your tenders with fresh ingredients. It can be as simple as chopping up some cilantro, slicing up a lime and sprinkling with salt. If you’d like to keep it going, turn these toppings into a sauce by mixing in Greek yogurt and a whole avocado! Blend together and you have a mixture fit for dipping and dunking, or a dressing for your bed of greens.

Don’t have the time to make your own sauce? No worries at all, I recommend checking out Primal Kitchen’s Avocado Lime dipping sauce, or Thrive Market’s Secret Sauce Dressing & Dip. The truth is, the side sauce is really up to you – some like smoky BBQ sauces, while others prefer creamy and zesty. Just about any sauce will do!

Vegetarian or Vegan? No problem at all. There are a few products that will do the trick. A few brands I love to use for meat substitutes are Gardein’s Ultimate Plant-Based Chicken Tenders, Daring Plant Chicken Pieces (they are breaded and delicious) and lastly, the most well-known on the market for meat substitutes is Impossible.

Technique is key! We want Crunchy.

The goal is to get them as crunchy as possible without comprising the tenderness of the meat inside. This is hands down the most important thing when preparing these air fryer tenders. The trick is to make sure your air fryer heat is turned up! The higher the heat the shorter the cook time and the more crunchy the outside. I also avoid using spray oils or buttering the cooking tray.

INGREDIENTS

8 frozen breaded chicken tenders
Your choice of dipping sauce – consider a Greek yogurt-based option for a healthier alternative

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat

Get your air fryer ready by preheating it to the perfect temperature for cooking chicken tenders to crispy perfection.

Arrange

Lay out the frozen chicken tenders in the basket, ensuring they have enough space for the hot air to circulate and crisp up every edge.

Cook

Let the air fryer work its magic, flipping the tenders halfway through to guarantee an even, golden-brown finish.

Serve

Plate up these hot and crispy tenders with a side of your favorite healthy dipping sauce and enjoy a meal that’s both delicious and convenient.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

These tenders are great for making ahead of time and storing for later. I recommend making them the night before or the morning of. Again, to avoid a soggy tender, make sure your air fryer is on a high enough heat for reheating as well.

Do I Need To Line my air fryer with parchment paper?

You can get away with not lining your air fryer with parchment paper, but I recommend you do. It makes for a stress-free cleanup, and allows you to skip the non-stick sprays!

Why to Avoid spraying with oil?

The added liquid is not good for the texture of the tender and does not hold up well especially if you plan on warming up for later.

How to get the crispiest chicken?

For the crispiest chicken, pat the tenders dry on both sides with paper towels. When there is excess moisture they run the risk of becoming mushy!

Serving Suggestions

These tenders are loaded with protein and are one of my favorites to cook, chop and top. Take a handful of lettuce, I prefer spinach and arugula, and top your leaves with these tenders and a dollop of the avocado dipping sauce.

The minimal prep and cook time also allows for more energy to focus on the sides. Frozen sweet potatoes pair well with this dish and can also be placed in the air fryer right alongside the frozen tenders. Our Air Fryer Potato Chips, Sweet Potato Fries, or Greek Yogurt French Onion Dip go great with this dish. That is truly what I love about this recipe, not only does the air fryer cut the cook time in half, but the additional side dishes can all be cooked at once together! Go ahead and give this dish a go and let us know what sides and dips do the trick!