Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
Who’s guilty of forgetting to pull out the chicken before you leave for work? I know I am. These Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders will help you out when you are in a pinch. Plus, no one will know you forgot to pull them out of the freezer.
Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
We have all been there where we forget to pull out the meat the night before, or when you ask the kids to do it and they forget. We’ll don’t you worry. I have you covered.
If you liked the Air Fryer Keto Chicken Tenders, then you will like this one! It’s just the same just working with frozen chicken tenders instead of thawed chicken tenders.
Chicken tenders are super easy to make! Check out some of my favorite chicken tender recipes; Buffalo Chicken Tenders, Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders, Blackened Chicken Tenders, and Katsu Chicken Tenders.
❤️ Why you’ll love this easy air fryer recipe
- Budget Friendly – If you buy a family pack of chicken tenderloins, you get the most bang for your buck. Just freeze the chicken tenders you don’t plan on using. The seasonings you should already have in your pantry.
- Easy recipe – This recipe is incredibly easy to make with limited steps and simple ingredients.
- Meal Prep – This is a great recipe for meal prep. Serve it with your favorite low-carb vegetables.
- Keto recipe – These chicken tenders are perfect for anyone who’s following a keto diet since they are so low in carbs!
Ingredients
- Frozen Chicken Tenders – I had mine stored in a gallon ziplock bag since I buy my meat in bulk and store the extras in the freezer.
- Seasoning – salt and black pepper. I went super easy on this recipe.
✳️ Tips & Tricks
- Seasoning the chicken after it has cooked (defrosted in the air fryer) for a little bit, will ensure the seasonings will stick to the chicken.
- To make sure 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 this Frozen Chicken Tenders in 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.
- Ninja Foodi Air Fryer – I love my Cosori, don’t get me wrong, but this Ninja Foodi has been a game changer with the two air fryer baskets!
- Tongs – tongs are easiest to remove and flip the chicken
- Meat thermometer – You always want to ensure the internal temperature of ANY chicken is 165F.
How to make Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders
- Pull the frozen chicken tenders out of the freezer.
- Transfer the chicken to the air fryer basket. Cook at 390F for 4 minutes.
- Remove the basket from the air fryer; using your tongs, separate the chicken tenders. Sprinkle some of the salt and pepper on the chicken.
- Flip the chicken over and season the other side.
- Put the basket back into the air fryer and cook for another 6 minutes at 390F.
- Once the timer goes off, check the chicken’s internal temperature, ensuring they are 165F.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Oven Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Add the chicken tenders to a baking sheet.
- Transfer the chicken to the oven and cook for 5 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off remove the chicken, using your tongs separate the chicken. sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken. Flip the chicken and season the other side.
- Transfer to the baking sheet back into the oven and cook for 15 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 like I did in this Air Fryer Chicken Breast Strips recipe. You can also use chicken cutlets as well.
What to serve with Frozen Chicken Tenders
If you are using your Ninja Foodi, you can throw some french fries in the other basket, like this Chicken Tenders and Fries.
If you want a healthier option, you can whip up some Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables.
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 save plate to warm up.
To warm this up in your air fryer, cook it for 2-3 minutes at 400F.
❓FAQs
How to cook frozen chicken tenderloins?
In the air fryer basket – place the chicken tenders inside and cook at 390F for 4 minutes. Season the chicken and then cook for another 6 minutes.
How long do frozen chicken tenders take in air fryer?
At 390F anywhere between 10-14 minutes. Depending on the thickness of the chicken.
What temperature do you air fry frozen tenders?
My go to temperature is 390F!
More Air Fryer Chicken Tender Recipes
Chicken Tenders are super easy to make! Check out some of my favorite chicken tender recipes below!
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
- Breaded Chicken Tenders
- Shake N Bake Chicken Tenders
- Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Chicken Tenders
- Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Tenders With Flour
- Keto Chicken Tenders
- Blackened Chicken Tenders
- Teriyaki Chicken Tenders
- Ranch Chicken Tenders
Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb frozen chicken tenders
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pull the frozen chicken tenders out of the freezer.
- Transfer the chicken to the air fryer basket. Cook at 390F for 4 minutes.
- Remove the basket from the air fryer; using your tongs, separate the chicken tenders. Sprinkle some of the salt and pepper on the chicken.
- Flip the chicken over and season the other side.
- Put the basket back into the air fryer and cook for another 6 minutes at 390F.
- Once the timer goes off, check the chicken’s internal temperature, ensuring they are 165F.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition
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