When you want crispy-edged, juicy chicken without dredging, egg washes, or breadcrumbs, this is the recipe. These Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with no breading are simply patted dry, tossed with olive oil and a savory spice blend, and cooked at 400°F for about 10 minutes. The result is tender, golden, seasoned chicken with almost no cleanup, and every serving delivers close to 40 grams of protein. Prefer a crunchy coating? Try my almond flour Air Fryer Chicken Tenders instead.
Table of Contents
Why These No-Breading Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Work
- No breading, no mess: there is no flour, egg, or crumb station to set up or clean.
- Ready in about 20 minutes: tenders are thin, so they cook quickly in the hot circulating air.
- High protein, low carb: each serving has roughly 38 grams of protein and about 2 grams of carbs.
- Endlessly flexible: the same method works with any seasoning blend, so you can change the flavor every time.
Chicken tenderloins are the small strip of muscle beneath the chicken breast. Because they are naturally tender and uniform in thickness, they cook fast and evenly, which makes them one of the best cuts for the air fryer.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Cooking spray, for the basket
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
If you cannot find tenderloins, slice 2 large boneless chicken breasts into 3/4-inch-thick strips.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
Step 1: Pat the Chicken Dry
Blot the tenders well with paper towels. Dry chicken browns instead of steaming, and it helps the seasoning stick.
Step 2: Oil and Season
Place the chicken in a large bowl, drizzle with the olive oil, and toss to coat. In a small bowl, stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning over the chicken and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
Step 3: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 to 5 minutes and spray the basket lightly with cooking spray.
Step 4: Air Fry
Arrange the tenders in a single layer with a little space between them, working in batches if needed. Cook for 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 165°F for poultry, so check the thickest tender with a meat thermometer.
Step 5: Rest and Serve
Let the chicken rest for 2 to 3 minutes, then sprinkle with parsley and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
How to Serve Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Serve the tenders with ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or my Creamy Ranch Dill Pickle Dip. For a balanced dinner, add roasted broccoli and a simple salad. Slice the leftovers over salad greens, tuck them into wraps, or add them to pasta for an easy lunch. If you like a sweet-and-savory glaze, toss the hot tenders in my honey garlic sauce from these Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Cool the chicken and refrigerate it in an airtight container within 2 hours. It keeps for 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes to bring back the texture, or warm in a skillet with a splash of water. To freeze, arrange cooked tenders on a tray until solid, transfer to a freezer bag, and reheat from frozen in the air fryer at 350°F for 6 to 8 minutes.
Tips and Variations
- Preheat the air fryer. It makes the cooking time consistent and gives better browning.
- Do not crowd the basket. Overlapping tenders steam instead of crisp.
- Toss the tenders with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch along with the seasoning for a slightly crisper surface that still counts as breading-free.
- Marinate the seasoned chicken for 15 minutes to a few hours for deeper flavor.
- Swap the Italian seasoning for taco seasoning, Cajun seasoning, lemon pepper, or a Parmesan and garlic blend.
- Use frozen tenders only after thawing them in the refrigerator, so the seasoning sticks and the chicken cooks evenly.
- Cooking in the oven works too. Bake on a parchment-lined sheet at 425°F for 12 to 15 minutes, flipping once.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do you cook chicken tenders in the air fryer without breading?
About 8 to 12 minutes at 400°F, flipping once. Cook until the thickest piece reaches 165°F.
Do I need to flip the tenders?
Flipping halfway gives the most even browning, although some air fryers cook evenly without it.
Can I use frozen chicken tenders?
Thaw them first for the best flavor and even cooking.
Why are my tenders dry?
They were probably overcooked. Check the temperature early and remove them at 165°F, since carryover heat will finish the job.
Are these chicken tenders gluten-free and keto?
Yes, as long as your seasoning blends are gluten-free and sugar-free, since the recipe uses no flour or breadcrumbs.
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins Or 2 large chicken breasts cut into 3/4-inch strips.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- cooking spray For the basket.
- chopped fresh parsley Optional, for garnish.
Instructions
Cooking
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
- Toss the chicken with the olive oil in a large bowl. Mix the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, sprinkle over the chicken, and toss to coat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 3 to 5 minutes and lightly spray the basket.
- Arrange the tenders in a single layer (in batches if needed) and air fry 8 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and the thickest piece reaches 165°F.
- Rest 2 to 3 minutes, garnish with parsley, and serve with dipping sauce.
