Description
This Air Fried Chicken Tenderloin recipe offers a quick, healthy, and flavorful way to enjoy juicy chicken tenderloins with a perfectly crispy exterior. Seasoned with a blend of garlic, onion, and smoked paprika, these tenderloins are air fried to golden perfection in just minutes, making them ideal for a nutritious weeknight dinner or a satisfying meal any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Additional
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3–5 minutes to ensure it is hot and ready for cooking the chicken evenly.
- Season Chicken: In a medium-sized bowl, toss the chicken tenderloins with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until each piece is thoroughly coated with the seasoning mix.
- Prepare Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking and place the seasoned chicken tenderloins in a single layer, making sure none overlap for even cooking.
- Air Fry: Cook the chicken tenderloins in the air fryer at 400°F for 9–11 minutes, flipping them halfway through to achieve an even golden-brown crust.
- Check Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Serve: Remove from the air fryer and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce or side dish such as roasted vegetables, salad, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Notes
- For enhanced flavor, marinate the chicken tenderloins in the seasoning and olive oil mixture for 30 minutes before cooking.
- These tenderloins pair excellently with roasted vegetables, fresh salads, or creamy mashed potatoes as sides.
- For a crispy breaded version, dip tenderloins in beaten egg and coat with seasoned breadcrumbs before air frying.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and a crispy finish.
- Adjust seasoning to taste or try adding cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (approximately 4 ounces)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
