Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders

Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken tenders cooked straight from frozen in the air fryer — no breading, no thawing, no mess.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Servings: 4

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 220

For the Chicken

1 lb frozen chicken tenderloins (raw, no breading)

1 tablespoon olive oil

Seasoning Rub

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1- Prep the seasoning — In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.

2- Coat the frozen chicken — Place the frozen chicken tenderloins in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, tossing to coat evenly.

3- Season both sides — Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the chicken, pressing gently with your fingers so it sticks to both sides.

4- Preheat the air fryer — Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for about 3-5 minutes.

5- Arrange in the basket — Place the tenderloins in a single layer in the air fryer basket, without overlapping. Cook in batches if needed.

6- Air fry — Cook for 8-10 minutes, then flip each tenderloin and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes.

7-Check for doneness — Use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature has reached 165°F before serving.

No need to thaw the chicken tenders — this recipe is designed to work straight from frozen.
Avoid cooking at 400°F, as it can dry out unbreaded chicken tenders; 380°F gives more consistently juicy results.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, or freeze cooked tenders for up to 3-4 months.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes for best texture.