Quick and Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tender Recipes for Busy Nights

Favorite homemade recipes like BBQ brisket can sometimes take a little bit of time and TLC. However, especially during particularly busy weeks, the goal for any meal or meal planning is often how to prepare delicious food and get it on the table as quickly as possible. In addition to ordering chicken tenders, steakburgers and other tasty dishes from the Freddy’s menu, you might also consider trying one of the many available air fryer chicken tender recipes. Below, discover some tips for making air fryer chicken tenders and preparations to try!

Tips for Making the Best Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

The best version of any meal often requires a few tweaks to suit each cook’s individual preferences (not to mention those of any other diners). Since there are many different ways to achieve appetizing air fryer chicken tenders, you may enjoy exploring and trying a variety of preparations in order to determine your favorite approach. As you contemplate your upcoming air-frying efforts, here are a few general tips that may be helpful!

Consider brining your raw chicken tenders.

As explained at Taste of Home, lean meats such as chicken can easily become dry during cooking. While fattier cuts like chicken thighs may not need this extra step, chicken tenders may benefit from the additional care. Brining your tenders does extend the overall preparation time, but it is a step that can be done the night before or as you prepare other parts of the meal, according to CJ Eats Recipes. (See also the alternative suggestion provided in this air fryer chicken tender recipe for occasions where you don't have time or simply forgot to brine.)

Avoid a chicken tender pileup.

The fast and even cooking often associated with air frying is typically attributed to the hot air circulation. However, if chicken tenders are stacked on top of each other, then these desirable characteristics of air fryer cooking and others may be impacted. Instead, place the chicken tenders in a single layer with a little bit of room between each tender. If you are aiming for a crispy exterior for your air fryer chicken tenders, then this approach may be especially important.

Don’t skip the flip!

While hot air does circulate around chicken tenders (or any other item that you are making) in the air fryer, you still need to flip them. From the limited total space to the location of the heating elements to the air obstructions caused by the food itself, America’s Test Kitchen highlights the importance of flipping or shaking the contents of the air-fryer basket, whether it’s filled with chicken tenders, fries or a variety of other dishes.

3 Air Fryer Chicken Tender Recipes to Try for Dinner Tonight

If you’ve already mastered preparing grilled cheese or tater tots in the air fryer, then now may be the perfect time to add air fryer chicken tenders to the list of dishes that you can prepare in this appliance. In fact, some packages of prepared chicken tenders may even include simple instructions for doing so! To make your own batch of homemade chicken tenders, you might be interested in the following preparations and related recipes:

1. Create a crispy coating.

A recipe like this one from Spend with Pennies is designed to achieve the crispy golden exterior and tender meat which people often envision when thinking about chicken tenders.

2. Arrive at tender time in approximately 10 minutes.

With just a few seasoning staples, a recipe like the one from Key to My Lime makes for a quick dinner idea or appetizer. As reiterated in this recipe, remember that exact cooking times can vary according to chicken tender size or air fryer, so it’s best to test your chicken using a thermometer to ensure that it is cooked to the proper temperature instead of relying on time alone.

3. Make your vegetables at the same time.

This recipe for chicken fajitas from Allrecipes illustrates how the air fryer can be used to prepare multiple components of the same meal. While the recipe specifies air frying one ingredient and then the other, many reviewers note that they combine the vegetables and chicken together and just extend the total cook time.

Making air fryer chicken tenders can be a fast and delicious meal idea. However, if you want to skip the prep and cleanup in favor of simply diving into tasty chicken tender combo meals, then visit the Freddy’s near you. With a range of chicken tender portion sizes and an assortment of sauces, as well as the option to customize the drink and side for your combo meal, satisfy your chicken tender craving tonight at Freddy’s. Want to give someone else the happiness of their favorite Freddy’s meal? Buy a Freddy’s Gift Card today for a special occasion, to show your appreciation or just because!