If you’re looking for a healthy, low carb keto-friendly dinner packed with protein, look no further than frozen chicken tenderloins in an air fryer. In this article, we’ll show you how to achieve moist and tender chicken without any breading or added ingredients.
Frozen Raw Chicken Tenders in an Air Fryer
Before we dive into the cooking process, let’s clarify what we mean by frozen raw chicken tenders. These are not the breaded and precooked chicken tenders you find in the freezer aisle. Instead, we’re talking about the pure, unadulterated meat that comes in a bag.
You can use the same chicken tenders to make delicious meals like frozen chicken tenders in an Instant Pot, where you can add your favorite BBQ sauce for extra flavor.
Cooking Frozen Chicken Tenderloins in an Air Fryer
Don’t be fooled into thinking that you can’t achieve tender, juicy chicken from frozen. The air fryer will surprise you with its speed and effectiveness in cooking these chicken tenderloins. Whether you have a Ninja Foodi, Cosori, or any other brand of air fryer, the process remains the same.
Ninja Foodi Frozen Chicken Tenderloins
No matter the brand of your air fryer, be it a Foodi or any other model, you can use it to cook these frozen chicken tenderloins to perfection. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 10-12 frozen raw chicken tenderloins
- Olive oil for brushing or spraying
- Dry rub or your favorite seasonings
- Paprika
- Optional: fenugreek, granulated garlic, thyme, and salt
Simply brush or spray olive oil on the chicken tenderloins and coat them with your preferred seasonings. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F, then transfer the frozen chicken tenderloins to the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, flip the chicken tenders, and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes until the thickest piece is no longer pink and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
Once done, remove the chicken tenderloins from the air fryer and serve with your favorite sauces. For an extra burst of flavor, brush on some sweet teriyaki sauce, BBQ sauce, or Asian chicken sauce a few minutes before they finish cooking.
Frozen Chicken Breast Tenderloins in an Air Fryer
If you don’t have frozen chicken tenderloins on hand, you can make your own by thinly slicing larger pieces of chicken breasts. Alternatively, you can defrost chicken breasts in the microwave and then slice them into smaller thin pieces. Keep in mind that the cooking time will be reduced to 10 minutes if using thawed chicken.
Adding Breadcrumbs to Chicken Tenderloins
While these frozen chicken tenderloins don’t come with breading, you can add breadcrumbs for a crispy exterior. However, it’s important to note that breadcrumbs won’t adhere well at the beginning of the cooking process. Instead, you can spray the chicken tenderloins with oil and sprinkle on breadcrumbs after flipping them halfway through cooking.
How to Store Leftover Chicken Tenderloins
If you have any leftover chicken tenderloins, it’s essential to keep them moist to preserve their flavor and texture. Store them in a container with a lid and pour a bit of sauce over the top to prevent them from drying out. You can easily reheat the chicken tenderloins in the air fryer the next day or warm them in the microwave. Alternatively, dice up the leftovers and incorporate them into other dishes like a flavorful crockpot chicken casserole.
In conclusion, cooking frozen chicken tenderloins in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal. The air fryer works wonders in creating moist and tender chicken without the need for breading or extensive preparation. Give it a try and experience the convenience and taste for yourself!
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