Looking for a delicious low-carb meal that the whole family will enjoy? Look no further than these air fryer chicken tenders with no breading! They’re incredibly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and absolutely scrumptious.
One of the things I love about air fryers is how they deliver that satisfying crunch of deep-frying without the excessive oil and mess. You don’t even need breadcrumbs to achieve the perfect texture. Don’t believe me? Well, you’ll have to try these air fryer chicken tenders without breading for yourself!
When I’m short on time, I simply toss some chicken tenderloins with oil and seasoning before popping them into the air fryer. And the best part? My kids adore these naked chicken tenders just as much as they enjoy my Air Fryer Breaded Chicken Tenders and Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders.
What You’ll Learn in This Post
Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect to learn in this article:
- How to make the best unbreaded chicken tenders in the air fryer
- Delicious side dishes to serve with naked chicken tenders
- Tips for cooking frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer
- Expert advice for achieving the tastiest air fryer chicken tenders without breading
Rest assured, your gluten-free tenders will come out perfectly crispy on the outside and delightfully juicy on the inside with the help of your air fryer. Plus, this recipe requires no eggs, breadcrumbs, or flour, which means less mess for you. It couldn’t be easier to prepare this meal!
If you’re following a keto diet, these air fryer chicken tenders are perfect for your low-carb eating plan. Compared to grilled, blackened, or baked chicken, which can sometimes turn out dry, these healthy air fryer chicken tenders truly win by a landslide!
If you enjoy this recipe, you’ll also love our collection of 60 Keto Air Fryer Recipes!
How to Make Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer with No Breading
If you’d like a printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements, you can find it at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Start by preheating your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 5 minutes.
STEP TWO: Pat the chicken tenders dry using paper towels, then transfer them to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and toss to ensure each piece is well-coated.
STEP THREE: In a small bowl, combine the seasonings, then evenly sprinkle this mixture over the chicken tenders.
STEP FOUR: Air fry the chicken tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. They should be golden on the outside, cooked through, and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
To ensure your tenders stay juicy and tender, I highly recommend using an Instant-Read Thermometer to monitor the cooking progress.
STEP FIVE: Serve the chicken tenders with lemon wedges and your favorite dipping sauce, if desired. Personally, I love dipping these in my homemade buffalo sauce, honey sriracha sauce, and homemade BBQ sauce recipes!
Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Chicken Tenderloins?
If you prefer to use chicken breasts instead of tenderloins, keep in mind that they are thicker and require slightly longer cooking times when cooked as whole pieces. Check out my Easy Air Fryer Chicken Breast recipe for boneless breasts.
However, if you’re in a pinch, you can slice boneless chicken breasts into thin strips and use them in this recipe. While I personally prefer the taste of chicken tenderloins, chicken breasts will work as an alternative.
What to Serve With Unbreaded Chicken Tenders
Here are some delightful side dishes that pair perfectly with these unbreaded chicken tenders:
- Air Fryer French Fries
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Bacon-Wrapped Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
- Easy Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
Interested in more air fryer vegetable recipes? We’ve got you covered!
Can I Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer?
Absolutely! The directions provided in this article are for pre-cooked frozen chicken tenders, which you can easily find in the freezer section of your local grocery store.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F.
- Place the frozen tenders in the air fryer and cook for approximately 12 minutes, flipping them once halfway through. They should be heated through.
For more detailed instructions on cooking frozen chicken tenders in the air fryer, be sure to check out our full post on the topic.
Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with No Breading
To ensure your chicken tenders turn out perfectly every time, here are some helpful tips:
- Place the chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer to allow proper circulation of hot air around each piece. Many people tend to overcrowd the basket, so avoid this common mistake.
- For those following a keto diet, be sure to accompany the tenders with low-carb dipping sauces. Of course, you can always enjoy them plain as well!
- Always preheat your air fryer before adding the chicken tenders. This helps ensure that the outside of the chicken becomes as crispy as possible. Learn more about the importance of preheating your air fryer here.
- Can you cook raw chicken in the air fryer? Absolutely! The recipe provided here is specifically designed for raw chicken tenderloins. Cooking them at 400 degrees F for 10-12 minutes will effectively cook the chicken all the way through.
- If you have leftover chicken tenders and would like to reheat them instead of making fresh ones, follow my guide on Reheating Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer to ensure they’re warmed through without becoming overdone.
Other Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re a fan of air frying, you’ll definitely want to try out these mouthwatering chicken recipes:
- Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas
- Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters
- Air Fryer Orange Chicken
- Frozen Chicken Wings in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Bone-in Chicken Breasts
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
For more fantastic air fryer chicken recipes, be sure to check out our incredible collection!
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