Minimal prep needed to make the best Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders. After marinating for 15 minutes in lime juice, olive oil & spices they just need 10 minutes in the air fryer. Juicy, tender & packed full of flavor!
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I love having frozen proteins ready to go in my freezer. But the annoying part about them is that I always forget to thaw them. Well, no need to worry anymore - the air fryer is here to help.
Air frying chicken tenders from frozen is a great way to get a a nice meal on the table in less time. With a simple marinade loads of flavor is added and you still have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
Why you will love this recipe
- It's the best way to cook frozen chicken tenders
- Juicy, tender & perfectly cooked chicken, straight from frozen
- A healthier option than pan frying as we need less oil
- Packed full of flavor when you use my super simple Mexican Chicken Marinade
- Super easy and done in just 10 minutes + 15 minutes of marinating
What you need to make them
Ingredient notes
- Frozen chicken tenders can be swapped for another frozen cut of chicken (for example frozen chicken strips), but cooking time will vary. Always make sure the chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C) before consuming.
- Lime juice is best when fresh, but bottled will also work for this recipe
- Olive oil can be swapped for another type of vegetable oil
- Seasoning: you can mix it up and adjust to suit your taste
How to make them
- Bring out a freezer bag large enough to comfortably hold all the chicken, and add in the spices, lime juice & olive oil. Mix well.
- Add the chicken, tie a knot on the bag, and massage the chicken through the bag to coat with the marinade. Then let sit in room temperature for 15 minutes. You can marinate it longer as well, but then place it in the fridge and adjust cook time depending on how thawed it is when cooking.
- Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C), then place the marinated chicken in the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry for 5 minutes at 390°F (200°C), then turn and air fry for 5 more minutes.
- Check to see if the chicken is cooked through, either by ensuring the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) or by cutting into the largest piece and checking. If it's not cooked through, add another minute and repeat until done.
Tips & tricks
- Preheat the air fryer for best results
- No need to defrost the chicken tenders, you can cook them straight from frozen
- You can marinate the chicken tenders for longer for even more flavor. If doing so, keep them in the fridge and adjust the cook time to account for how thawed they are before air frying
- Cook in a single layer - if you're making more chicken tenders than fit comfortably, cook them in batches
- Cook time can vary with different air fryers
- Adjust cook time depending on your air fryer and how large your chicken tenders are
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container and consume within 4 days
- Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months
Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can absolutely cook chicken tenders from frozen. It will take about 50% longer than if they're not frozen.
You can cook frozen chicken tenders in multiple ways:
1. Air fry at 390°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, turning once halfway
2. Fry in a small amount of oil over medium heat for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway
3. Bake in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway
Always make sure the inner temperature has reached 165°F (74°C) before consuming.
Cook time will vary with your air fryer model and the size of the chicken tenders, but generally it takes 8-12 minutes to cook frozen chicken tenders in an air fryer.
What to serve them with
There are so many great ways to serve chicken tenders. Some of my favorite sauces and sides to make a complete meal include:
- Mac and Cheese (without flour)
- Creamy Seasoned Butter Rice
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
- 5-minute Blue Cheese Sauce
- Avocado Lime Ranch
- A side of veggies like Garlic Roasted Broccoli, Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli a Simple Arugula Salad or Caulislaw
More easy air fryer recipes
Want to learn how to use your air fryer for more than frozen chicken tenders? Then check out the guides below!
- Air Fryer Frozen Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Air Fryer Frozen Dumplings & Potstickers
- Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Rib Eye Steak
- Complete guide to air frying frozen food
Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders
Print RateIngredients
- 8 frozen chicken tenders
- ½ teaspoon paprika powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ lime juice only
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Bring out a freezer bag large enough to hold all the chicken. Pour in the spices and mix, then add the lime juice and olive oil and mix again.½ teaspoon paprika powder, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ lime, 1 teaspoon olive oil
- Place the chicken in the bag and tie a knot on it. Massage the chicken through the bag to spread the marinade all over. Let sit in room temperature for 15 minutes.8 frozen chicken tenders
- With 5 minutes left for the marinade, preheat your air fryer by running it for 5 minutes at 390°F (200°C).
- Spread out chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry for 5 minutes at 390°F (200°C). Then turn the chicken and cook for 5 more minutes.
- After cooking for a total of 10 minutes, make sure the chicken is cooked through. If not, add another minute and check again, and repeat until cooked through.
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Freezer bag (for marinating)
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Frozen chicken tenders can be swapped for another frozen cut of chicken, but cook times will vary. Always make sure the chicken is cooked to 165°F (74°C) before consuming.
- Lime juice is best when fresh, but bottled will also work for this recipe
- Olive oil can be swapped for another type of vegetable oil
- Seasoning: you can mix it up and adjust to suit your taste
Tips & tricks
- Preheat the air fryer for best results
- No need to defrost the chicken tenders, you can cook them straight from frozen
- You can marinate the chicken tenders for longer for even more flavor. If doing so, keep them in the fridge and adjust the cook time to account for how thawed they are before air frying
- Cook in a single layer - if you're making more chicken tenders than fit comfortably, cook them in batches
- Cook time can vary with different air fryers
- Adjust cook time depending on your air fryer and how large your chicken tenders are
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container and consume within 4 days
- Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Emilee McClellan
Tender and delicious and so easy! This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Walter Carmichael
Great frozen recipes, the details are very clear & easy to follow, Thanks
Karen
I haven't made this yet, probably tonight. But I have a question, does the seasoning stick well to the tenders? Being that they are frozen I was worried it would slide right off.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Karen! I find it does still stick quite well to the chicken, as it gets to defrost slightly as it sits in the marinade. /Emmeline