Tender, juicy chicken is a weeknight dinner staple for many families. These smaller, thinner slices of white meat are incredibly versatile and easy to prepare. Find out the best way to cook chicken tenderloins by reading on.

Best way to cook chicken tenderloins

Chicken tenderloins are a popular cut of chicken that can be cooked in a variety of ways. They’re perfect for a quick dinner, as they require very little prep time. The best way to cook chicken tenderloins is by making use of air fryers.

This method ensures perfectly cooked, crispy chicken every time without the need for oil or added fat. Air fryers can be a great way to make healthier meals without sacrificing taste. They work by circulating hot air around the food, allowing it to cook through while creating a crispy exterior.

How to cook chicken tenderloins using an air fryer:

Gather Ingredients:

When preparing meals with chicken tenderloins, start by gathering spices and herbs based on your favorite recipes.

• Popular options include garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, oregano, parsley, and thyme. You’ll also need olive oil to coat the pan before cooking the chicken.
• Additionally, you may want to have some chicken broth on hand in case your skillet begins to dry out during cooking.
• Finally, don’t forget to pick up a few other staples like unsalted butter or margarine and ground black pepper for added flavor. Once you have all of these ingredients ready to go, you’re ready to start creating delicious meals with chicken tenderloins!

Trim and Cut Chicken Tenderloins

• Trimming and cutting chicken tenderloins is an important step when preparing meals. Begin by laying the pieces of chicken flat on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to trim away any visible fat or gristle.
• Make sure that you are cutting off only excess fat, as the fat will help keep the pieces of chicken moist during cooking. Once trimmed, cut the chicken into equal-sized pieces for even cooking. If desired, you can also cut your tenderloin into chicken strips for crispy chicken fingers or tenders.

Prepare Breading Mixture

• Elevate your dish by preparing a breading mixture for your chicken tenders. Combine one cup of flour with a teaspoon each of salt, black pepper, chili powder, and Italian seasoning in a shallow bowl or baking dish.
• Mix together until everything is evenly distributed. You can also add additional spices such as garlic powder or ground cumin for extra flavor.
• Alternatively, you can use a store-bought breading mix for convenience. Next, whisk together two eggs and two tablespoons of lemon juice in a separate shallow bowl.
• Now your breading mixture is ready! Dip each piece of chicken first into the egg mixture and then into the flour mixture until fully coated on all sides.
• Alternatively: You can choose to marinate your chicken tenderloins overnight.

Preheat Air Fryer

• Set your air fryer to medium heat and let it preheat for about five minutes before adding the chicken. When it’s ready, place the chicken in the pan of the air fryer and the cooking time is about 15 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
• The internal temperature should reach 165°F when fully cooked. Be sure to brush each piece with melted butter before cooking for extra crispiness!

After everything is cooked, be sure to let it rest for a few minutes before serving up your delicious air fry chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauces and sides. Enjoy!

Additional tips when Air frying:

Flip or Shake the Basket Halfway Through Cooking

When cooking chicken tenders in an air fryer, it’s important to remember to flip or shake the basket halfway through. Doing so will ensure that your tenders are cooked evenly and get that perfect crunchy texture.

To do this, simply grab the handle of your air fryer basket and give it a good shake after about 6 minutes of cooking. This will redistribute the heat throughout the basket and help ensure that each tender cooks evenly.

Once you’ve shaken the basket, give it another 6-8 minutes of cooking and check for doneness. If they’re still a bit too pale, add a few more minutes until they reach a golden brown color. Enjoy your crispy chicken tenders with your favorite sides or sauces!

Remove and Check the Internal Temperature of Chicken Tenderloins

Before you can serve your chicken tenderloins, it’s important to check the internal temperature of the meat. This is especially important if you are cooking them in an air fryer or other appliance that preheats quickly and may not reach a high enough temperature to kill any bacteria.

Do this by inserting a digital thermometer into the thickest part of each tenderloin and wait for the temperature to register. It should reach at least 165°F before they’re ready to be served. Once they’re done, remove them from the heat source and let them rest for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Optional Step: Add Sauce to Crisp Up the Exterior

Adding a sauce to your chicken tenderloins is an optional step, but it can really bring out their flavor and crisp up their exterior. Start by marinating the chicken tenders in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, chili powder, Italian seasoning, ground black pepper, and your favorite spices for at least one hour. This will give them time to absorb the flavors before cooking.

Benefits of Cooking with an Air Fryer

So if you’re looking for a delicious way to eat healthier food without spending hours in the kitchen, try cooking with an air fryer!

• Air fryers can be a great way to make healthier meals without sacrificing taste. They work by circulating hot air around food, allowing it to cook through while creating a crispy exterior.
• Air fryers utilize only a fraction of the oil used in traditional frying methods, leading to fewer calories and saturated fat intake. Additionally, air fryers are faster than conventional ovens, making them ideal for busy cooks who need quick results with minimal effort.
• With an air fryer, you can easily create flavorful dishes like chicken fingers and french fries with no added fat or grease. Not only that, but you can also cook vegetables and other healthy options like salmon and tofu in an air fryer as well.

Other Cooking Methods for Cooking Chicken Tenders:

• On the Grill

  • This method makes use of a grill and grilling chicken tenders is a proven quick way to get juicy tenders in under 10 minutes while you're outside.
  • It is highly recommended to marinate the chicken tenderloins for at least 30 minutes or overnight before grilling the chicken tenders.
  • Remember to preheat your grill on high and then proceed to cook the tenders for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through, or until the internal temperature of the chicken tenders has reached a temperature of about 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

• In a Pressure Cooker

  • You may start by pouring chicken broth into the pressure cooker.
  • Get your fresh or frozen chicken tenderloin pieces and place them into the pressure cooker before closing the pressure cooker.
  • Depending on the model, set the pressure Cook (usually about 6 minutes)
  • After it's done cooking, do not open the pressure cooker immediately.
    • Instead, do a natural release of about 5 minutes before pressing the button to release the rest of the pressure

Chicken Tenderloin Recipes Ideas:

Cooking up delicious and healthy chicken tenders doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are five chicken tenderloin recipes that are sure to please the whole family:

• Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders
• Italian Herb-Crusted Chicken Tenders
• Chili-Lime Chicken Fingers
• Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Strips
• Baked Buffalo-Style Chicken Fingers

(See more: Recipe for Honey Mustard Glazed Chicken Strips )

Air fryers utilize only a fraction of the oil used in traditional frying methods, leading to fewer calories and saturated fat intake. Additionally, air fryers are faster than conventional ovens, making them ideal for busy cooks who need quick results with minimal effort. With an air fryer, you can easily create flavorful chicken recipes like chicken fingers.