Name: Air fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Ingredients: 1 lbs chicken tenderloins; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 2 tsp Italian seasoning; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp ground pepper

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Are you craving low-carb air fryer chicken tenders? This high protein meal is packed with flavor. Moist and juicy chicken is surrounded by a crispy outside.

There are a couple of reasons why you might want to avoid adding breading to an air fryer chicken renders recipe. For starters, any type of breading will increase the amount of calories and carbs.

That means if you’re someone who is trying to lose weight, all you need to do is simply leave this ingredient out. But ditching bread crumbs can also be a great option for people who are sensitive to gluten.

The best part is, it’s still possible to make delicious juicy chicken without breading. The air fryer will do what it does best and make the outside nice and crispy – so your whole family will love it.

Ingredients

Chicken tenders: You can’t make low-carb air fryer chicken tenders without chicken! One pound of chicken tenderloins is ideal for this recipe. This should be enough to feed around 5-6 people.

Olive oil: There are so many health benefits to olive oil that make it an extremely useful ingredient for cooking. It’s loaded with amino acids and healthy fats. Just remember, a small amount goes a long way with this ingredient.

Spices: There are so many different ways to season your chicken tenders. For this recipe I’m using a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. But you can also add chili powder or paprika if you like spicy chicken.

Salt & pepper: In addition to the spices listed above, I’m also using a small amount of salt and pepper. These two ingredients are such staples that I use them in most of my cooking recipes. You can also add them at the end to taste.

Instructions

These air fryer chicken tenders can be made in minutes. You can scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here’s an overview of the general steps:

Preheat your air fryer to 400° F. Then add the chicken and olive oil to a large bowl (or 1 gallon plastic bag). Make sure to massage and coat the chicken with olive oil and set aside.

In a small bowl whisk garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. After all of the dry ingredients are mixed together, combine them with chicken.

Next, place the chicken tenders in your air fryer. Make sure they are evenly spaced and not touching each other. This will help them cook evenly.

Cook the chicken at 400° F for 12 minutes (flipping halfway through). They will be golden on the outside when finished.

Finally, remove the chicken tenders from your air fryer and allow them to sit for 1-2 minutes. You can serve them with lemon wedges, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long to cook raw chicken tenders in the air fryer?

You should cook raw chicken tenders in the air fryer for 12 minutes at 400° F. This amount of time will keep them crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. High heat and a shorter cooking time will help the chicken tenders retain moisture.

Why are my chicken tenders soggy from the air fryer?

If you find the chicken tenders to be soggy – chances are they didn’t have enough time to cook. But a low air fryer temperature could also be the reason for soggy chicken tenders. High heat is critical, but you also need to keep an eye on the time to avoid overcooking.

Do you have to use flour when air frying chicken?

No, you don’t need to use flour or breading when air frying chicken. It’s still possible to make crispy chicken tenders – even without using these ingredients. The important thing is flipping the chicken tenders halfway through, so they have a chance to cook evenly.

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5 from 2 votes