Easy Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders are a delicious and easy dinner idea. Have dinner ready in under 20 minutes. These blackened chicken tenders have just the right amount of kick. Our easy air fryer blackened chicken tenders recipe is an easy way to get dinner on the table, even with picky eaters to feed.
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders
These blackened chicken tenders are the perfect meal prep or dinner idea. Making these chicken tenders is super easy. You can also use our Homemade Ranch Seasoning to make ranch dressing to cool them off if you’re not a fan of spicy.
If you enjoy making chicken tenders as much as I do, check out these other chicken tender recipes: Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders, and Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders.
❤️ Why you’ll love this easy air fryer chicken tender recipe
- Budget Friendly – Aldi’s is the place to go for chicken! I bought a large pack of Chicken Tenderloins for $8.53 there were 12 tenderloins in the pack, so roughly 0.71 cents per tender.
- Easy Recipe – With only a few steps, this recipe is super easy to make.
- Paleo and Keto Recipe – These blackened chicken tenders are very low in carbs. It’s a perfect dish if you’re following a low-carb or keto diet.
- Delicious – This recipe is not only healthy, but it’s also super delicious.
Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders – You can buy chicken tenders, or you can buy chicken breasts and cut them into strips, as I did in this air fryer chicken breast strips recipe.
- Seasoning: salt, paprika, Italian seasoning, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder
✳️ Tips & Tricks
To ensure that the chicken stays moist, check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Once they reach 165F, remove them from the air fryer. Don’t overcook.
Tools to make these Blackened Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
- Cosori Air Fryer – this is my favorite air fryer. The large air fryer basket makes it so easy to cook your favorite recipes
- Tongs – tongs are easiest for removing and flipping the chicken tenders.
- Meat thermometer – Always make sure the internal temperature of ANY chicken is 165°F.
How to Make Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders
- Place the chicken tenders in a bowl, then sprinkle the seasonings over them.
- Toss the chicken tenders to coat them in the seasoning.
- Transfer chicken tenders to the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 390 for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Once the timer goes off, make sure the internal temperature is 165F before removing.
- Serve and enjoy!
Oven Directions
- Preheat oven to 400F
- Spray the cooking sheet with avocado oil.
- Place the chicken tenders in a bowl, then sprinkle the seasonings over them.
- Toss the chicken tenders around to make sure they are coated in the seasoning.
- Transfer to the baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes. Making sure the internal temperature is 165F.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
Substitutions
If you don’t have chicken tenders, you can slice a large chicken breast into strips to mimic chicken tenders. You can also use chicken cutlets as well.
What to serve with Blackened Chicken Tenders
This is my favorite meal prep chicken, so I usually pair it with a side salad. Another great one is these Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts. I know they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but trust me, these are good.
Air Fryer Zucchini is another one of my go-tos. Super easy to make and packed with flavor.
How to store
- Store leftovers in an airtight glass container for up to 5 days.
♨️ How to reheat
Remove the lid from the container and microwave on high for 1 to 1.5 minutes or until the chicken is warm. Alternatively, you can transfer to a microwave-safe plate to warm up.
To warm this up in your air fryer, cook it for 2-3 minutes at 400F.
❓FAQs
How long should you cook chicken tenders in the air fryer?
I cook mine at 390F for 14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
What temperature should I cook chicken tenders at?
390F I feel like it has been the perfect temperature for me.
More Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipes
If you love chicken tenders, check out these other chicken tender recipes.
- Ranch Chicken Tenders
- Teriyaki Chicken Tenders
- Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Tenders
- Buffalo Chicken Tenders
- Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Tenders with Flour
- Keto Chicken Tenders
- Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders
- Frozen Chicken Tenders
- Katsu Chicken Tenders
- Breaded Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Tenders and Fries
- Shake N Bake Chicken Tenders
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp onion powder
Instructions
- Place the chicken tenders in a bowl and sprinkle the seasonings over the chicken.
- Toss the chicken tenders around to make sure the chicken tenders are coated in the seasoning.
- Transfer chicken tenders to the air fryer basket.
- Cook at 390 for 14 minutes flipping halfway through.
- Once the timer goes off make sure the internal temperature is 165F before removing it.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
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