Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with No Bread Crumbs
These no-breading Air Fryer Chicken Tenders are a juicy, simple, and healthy alternative to the breaded kind. You'll love how they're packed with flavor, not carbs, and how quickly they come together—perfect for a busy weeknight dinner, a healthy snack, or meal prep!
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 255kcal
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
- 1.5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1.5 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice
- Garnish: chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200 degrees C/400 degrees F.
- Begin by patting the raw chicken tenders dry with a paper towel.1.5 lbs chicken tenders
- In a medium or large bowl, mix together all of the seasoning ingredients with the oil.1.5 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1.5 teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Add the chicken to the bowl and mix it well, completely coating the chicken tenders.
- Place chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook the chicken for 5 minutes.
- Carefully turn the chicken over after 5 minutes (I used tongs to do this).
- Cook for another 3-5 minutes. Cooking time will depend on the size of your chicken pieces and whether you have a small air fryer or a larger one.
- Check the chicken is finished cooking by testing the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. If the instant read thermometer reads 71°C/160°F the chicken is ready to come out. If you don't have a meat thermometer, slice one piece of chicken and check that it's no longer pink and that the juices run clear.
- Allow the cooked chicken to rest for 5 minutes before cutting and eating. This helps to lock in the moisture.
- Squeeze lemon or lime juice over the chicken tenders and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice, Garnish: chopped fresh parsley
Notes
- Clumpy spices: If you find the spices clumping or not sticking well, a spritz of olive oil spray after placing the chicken in the air fryer basket can help the seasonings adhere better and enhance the crispiness.
- Even spacing: Ensure the paleo air fryer chicken tenders are not touching in the air fryer basket for the most even cook and crispiest texture.
- No overcrowding: Cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of frying.
- Adjust cooking times: Depending on the size and thickness of your chicken tenders, cooking times may vary. It's handy to have a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
- Flavor boost: For an extra layer of flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the spice and oil mixture for an hour before cooking. This step is optional but can deepen the flavors.
How to store leftover chicken tenders
- Cool before storing: Let the chicken strips cool completely to avoid condensation inside the container which can make them soggy.
- Airtight container: Place leftovers in an airtight container; this will keep them fresh and prevent them from absorbing any odors from the fridge.
- Refrigerate: Stored properly, the naked chicken tenders will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: Reheat them in the air fryer at 175 degrees C (350 degrees F) for 3-5 minutes to help maintain their texture. Avoid the microwave as it can make them rubbery.
Nutrition
Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 109mg | Sodium: 786mg | Potassium: 707mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 995IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg