What is good about air fryer chicken tenderloins
Cooking chicken tenderloins is much faster than using a traditional oven. The hot air circulates to keep the meat juicy while the outside gets a lovely golden colour. You only need a tiny amount of oil to get great results. This method is perfect for families who want a protein rich snack or main course without much clean up.
Follow these 4 steps for air fryer chicken tenderloins
Seasoning: Place the raw meat into a large mixing bowl and drizzle the olive oil over the top. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Toss everything together until the chicken is evenly coated with the spices. This ensures every bite has plenty of flavour.
Preheating: Turn on your machine and set the temperature to 200C. Let it run for a few minutes so the basket is nice and hot. Preheating helps the chicken tenderloins cook more evenly from the start. A hot basket also prevents the meat from sticking to the bottom.
Arranging: Place the seasoned strips into the basket in a single layer. Make sure there is a little space between each piece for the air to flow freely. If you have a smaller machine, you might need to cook them in two batches. Overcrowding will result in steamed meat rather than a crispy finish.
Cooking: Cook the pieces for ten minutes and turn them over halfway through the time. Check that the internal temperature reaches 75C to ensure they are fully cooked. Remove them from the basket and let them rest for two minutes before serving. Enjoy your tender and juicy meal with your choice of sides.
Useful tips for air fryer chicken tenderloins
For the best chicken tenderloins, always try to use pieces that are similar in size. This helps them all finish cooking at the exact same time. If you want a bit of extra crunch, you could add a little cornflour or breadcrumbs to the spice mix. Do not overlap the meat in the basket because the steam will make the coating soggy. You can also spray a tiny bit of oil directly onto the chicken halfway through for a deeper golden colour.
Check the progress a minute or two early as every machine varies slightly in power. Let the meat rest after cooking to keep all the juices inside the chicken.
If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also try
air fryer white bread,
air fryer pork tenderloin or
air fryer turkey leg.
