BBQ Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer
Juicy, smoky BBQ chicken tenders made effortlessly in the air fryer—crispy on the outside, tender inside, and coated with tangy-sweet barbecue sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins about 8-10 pieces
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil or spray
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce your favorite brand
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F (205 °C).
- In a bowl, toss chicken tenders with olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
- Arrange tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t overlap (cook in batches if needed).
- Air fry for 8 minutes; flip halfway through.
- Brush both sides of tenders with barbecue sauce, then air fry for an additional 2–4 minutes until sauce is bubbly and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
- Remove from air fryer, let rest for a couple minutes, and garnish with parsley or cilantro if desired. Serve hot with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches 165 °F internally.
- For a smoky flavor, use BBQ sauce with liquid smoke or add a dash of smoked paprika.
- Don’t overcrowd—air circulation is key for crisp edges.
- Leftover tenders store well in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the air fryer at 350 °F for 3–4 minutes.
- Serve with coleslaw, air-fried fries, or veggie sticks for a complete meal.