Air Fryer Keto Chicken Tenders with no breading are perfect for an easy and protein-rich lunch or dinner option. Serve the tender chicken pieces with vegetables or a salad. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb.

A plate of seasoned chicken tenders cooked in air fryer

Juicy chicken tenders get an upgrade with a generous brush of seasoning and a crispy exterior. You won’t miss the breading on these flavorful low-carb Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.

Contents hide
1 Why You Need This Recipe
2 Key Ingredients
3 Recipe Steps
4 Recipe Tips & Substitutions
5 FAQs
6 Other Air Fryer Recipes You Might Like
7 Air Fryer Keto Chicken Tenders (No Breading)

Why You Need This Recipe

  • It’s a perfect weeknight dinner recipe. You likely have the olive oil and spices on hand, so all you have to remember to buy is the chicken. This is a perfect recipe when you’re unsure what to make!
  • Air Fryer Chicken Tenders with No Breading are low-carb, keto, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and Whole30 approved. It’s a simple recipe that works with a wide variety of diets and allergies.
  • These tenders are perfect for any meal! You can add them to a salad or make them into a lettuce wrap, top a cauliflower rice bowl or serve them with steamed veggies. They go with almost anything.
cooked air fryer chicken tenders on a plate

Key Ingredients

Chicken tenders make this recipe super easy as they’re already cut and ready to be seasoned.

Olive oil helps the seasoning adhere to the chicken tenders. It also helps the chicken get crispy with no breading.

Spices give the chicken lots of flavor without the breading.

Ingredients for air fryer chicken tenders

Recipe Steps

Step One

Place the chicken tenders on a plate and pat dry with a paper towel.

Please see the recipe card at the end of this post for the exact ingredients and measurements.

Step Two

Combine the olive oil and seasonings in a small bowl. Brush both sides of the chicken tenders with the mixture.

How to make chicken tenders in the air fryer

Step Three

Transfer the chicken to the basket of your air fryer. Set to 375 degrees and bake for 8 minutes.

Step Four

Use tongs to flip the chicken tenders and then cook another 7 minutes.

Step Five

When the chicken is finished use clean tongs to transfer to a serving platter.

A plate of chicken tenders served with broccoli

Recipe Tips & Substitutions

  • Most air fryers do not need to be pre-heated before using. Check the instruction manual of your specific air fryer to see if it is recommended for your model.
  • You may need to cook the chicken tenders in batches depending on how big your air fryer is. You don’t want to overlap the chicken because that may inhibit the cooking process.
  • Store any leftover cooked chicken in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.
  • If you wanted a breaded version, check out my recipe for Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders?

Yes, simply trim the fat and then cut the breast lengthwise into 1/2 inch strips. That’s how simple it is to make your own chicken tenders.

Can I double this recipe?

Yes but you will need to do it in batches because you don’t want to overcrowd the air fryer. If you do the hot air will not be able to circulate well and the chicken tenders won’t be crispy.

What can I serve with air fryer chicken tenders?

Serve alongside Keto Mexican Rice, Easy Carrot Cucumber Salad, steamed or grilled vegetables, or mashed cauliflower for a low carb dinner.

cooked chicken tenders on a serving dish

Other Air Fryer Recipes You Might Like

Or, see my entire index of Gluten-Free Air Fryer recipes.

I hope you make this recipe! If you do, please leave a comment and a starred review below.

And, consider following me on social media so we can stay connected. I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube!

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A plate of chicken with broccoli

Air Fryer Keto Chicken Tenders (No Breading)

★★★★★

5 from 1 review
Print Recipe

Air Fryer Keto Chicken Tenders with no breading are perfect for an easy and protein-rich lunch or dinner option. Serve the tender chicken pieces with vegetables or a salad. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and low-carb.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken tenders on a plate and pat each sides of the chicken dry with a paper towel.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the oil, paprika, ground garlic, salt, and pepper. Use a basting brush or the edge of a clean paper towel to spread the mixture on both side of the chicken tenders.
  3. Transfer the chicken to the basket of your air fryer.
  4. Set the temperature to 375°F and bake the chicken for 8 minutes. Use tongs to flip the chicken and cook for an additional 7 minutes.
  5. When the chicken tenders are done cooking, use clean tongs to transfer the chicken to a serving platter.
  6. Let the chicken cool for a few minutes before serving.

Equipment

Notes

  1. Most air fryer do not need to be pre-heated before using. Check the instruction manual of your specific air fryer to see if it is recommended for your model.
  2. You may need to cook the chicken tenders in batches depending on how big your air fryer is. You don’t want to overlap the chicken because that may inhibit the cooking process.
  3. Store any leftover cooked chicken in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 171
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 630.9 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 0.3 g
  • Fiber: 0.1 g
  • Protein: 22.1 g
  • Cholesterol: 54.9 mg

Keywords: keto chicken tenders, chicken tenders no breading, air fried chicken

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