Cooking frozen chicken tenders in your air fryer is quick and easy with very little prep needed. After marinating for 15 minutes in lime juice, olive oil & spices they just need 10 minutes in the air fryer. They come out juicy, tender & packed full of flavor!
Frozen Protein Is the Way to Go
I love having frozen proteins ready to go in my freezer. But the annoying thing 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 frozen chicken tenders is a great way to get a a tasty meal on the table in less time. The simple marinade provides loads of flavor, and you can still have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.
And best of all? The chicken comes out so juicy, you'd never know it was cooked straight from frozen!
Chicken + a Flavorful Marinade
You might recognize the ingredients for this marinade - it's my favorite Mexican Chicken Marinade. You can switch it up and use something else, but I highly recommend some type of marinade, preferably with lime or lemon juice. My Lemon Basil Marinade works great as well!
Just Marinate, Cook and Eat!
1. Marinate
I love marinating in plastic bags, as I find it makes it easier to really get that marinade all over the protein. So just mix up all the ingredients right in the bag, add the chicken, tie a knot, and rub the marinade into the chicken from the outside.
Then leave it in room temperature to marinate for 15 minutes - or marinate in the fridge for up to 12 hours!
2. Cook
After marinating, just place the chicken in an air fryer basket and cook about 10 minutes, until done. It can take a bit shorter, or a bit longer, depending on the size of the chicken tenders, how long they marinated, and your specific air fryer.
Cook them in a single layer so they cook evenly. If you want to cook more than will fit comfortably, you can do so in batches. Just cover one batch with aluminium foil while the rest is cooking, so it stays warm.
I always recommend using a meat thermometer so you know exactly when it's done! The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for the chicken to be safe to consume.
What to Do with Leftovers
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Reheating in air fryer: Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 2-3 minutes, until heated through.
Reheating in microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments, until heated through.
What to Serve With Them
- Caulislaw - Raw Cauliflower Salad [Coleslaw Style]10 Minutes
- Frozen Sweet Potato Fries in Air Fryer20 Minutes
- Garlic Roasted Broccoli25 Minutes
- Creamy Rice with Butter & Chicken Broth30 Minutes
More Easy Ways to Air Fry Frozen Proteins
Recipe
Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Tenders
Print RateIngredients
- 8 frozen chicken tenders or other cut of chicken
Mexican Chicken Marinade (can be swapped for other marinade)
- ½ teaspoon paprika powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ lime juice only; fresh is best
- 1 teaspoon olive oil or neutral cooking 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, the internal temperature should reach at least 165°F (74°C).
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Freezer bag (for marinating)
Notes
- 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.
What to Do with Leftovers
Storing: Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freezing: Store leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheating in air fryer: Air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Reheating in microwave: Reheat leftovers in the microwave in 30-second increments, until heated through.Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
J
Where do you purchase your frozen grilled chicken tenderloins? We have Costco brand.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi, I usually don't purchase pre-cooked tenderloins, just the raw frozen ones. Any brand! /Emmeline
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
Mavis
Drop dead easy recipe. Winner, winner, Chicken Dinner!