Air Fryer Tyson Chicken Breast Tenderloins

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Make crispy, golden brown Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins in the air fryer in less than 15 minutes.

Having an air fryer has been such a game changer for my family. Not only does it make dinner time simpler, but I love how I can make crispy chicken with the flavor of deep-fried chicken but so much healthier.

On nights that I don’t have time to make a big meal (or am running around after a zillion afternoon and early evening kids practices), I pop a few frozen Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins into the air fryer for a quick and easy meal. They’re made with all-white meat chicken and my boys love them.

Unlike some of the other frozen chicken tenderloins available at the grocery store that turn out tasting kind of bland, the “southern style” ones are also seasoned with a savory blend of spices and different seasonings and just the right amount of breading.

Tyson chicken breast tenderloins are found in the frozen food section of most grocery stores by the chicken nuggets. We picked up this bag at our local Publix, but I’ve also see them at Walmart and Target too.

This is a recipe the entire family will love!

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Can you air fry Tyson tenderloins?

Yes, you can! It’s quick and easy to make Tyson chicken tenderloins in the air fryer. I personally think it’s the best way to cook them instead of the microwave or conventional ovens.

An air fryer allows the tenderloins to cook evenly while also creating the perfect crispy exterior without having to use a deep fryer. Using an air fryer also means that your cleanup after cooking is minimal, making this a great dinner option for busy weeknights.

How do you cook Tyson chicken breast tenderloins in the air fryer?

You’re going to love how easy to make these crispy air fryer chicken fingers at home. First, spray your air fryer baskets with nonstick cooking spray. Then, turn on your air fryer to 400°F and allow it to preheat for 3-5 minutes.

Place the frozen chicken tenderloin in a single layer in the preheated basket. You might need to work in batches depending on the size of your air fryer. You want to be sure you leave space for the hot air to be able to circulate around the pieces, so don’t overcrowd.

Cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking. You’ll know they’re done when the chicken is golden brown and crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer.

Carefully remove the hot chicken from the air fryer using tongs and serve with honey mustard, ranch, ketchup, BBQ sauce or whatever your own favorite dipping sauce is. These taste great with baked sweet potato slices.

Store leftover Tyson chicken strips in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How long does it take to air fry frozen chicken tenderloins?

The amount of time it will take to air fry frozen chicken tenderloins depends on the size of each individual piece of chicken as well as your own personal preference. The pieces in the bag can vary a lot in size; you can see from my pictures that I made 2 pretty big pieces and one smaller one.

Use the 13-15 minutes as a general guideline. Due to the thickness of the chicken tenderloins you’ll want to check the internal temperature of the chicken using a meat thermometer to be sure that they’re fully cooked.

You also might find that you like a less crispy or more crispy piece of chicken. I’ve found that the cooking time sweet spot for my family is about 14 minutes. You might need more or less time.

No matter how long you air fry them, for best results be sure to arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with a little space in between each piece. This allows the hot, dry air from the air fryer to circulate and evenly cook the Tyson chicken tenderloins. I personally own and love the Ninja Foodi with Dual Baskets so I can make more portions of our meals at once (or cook two different things at the same time).

You’ll also want to be sure to flip each piece over using tongs 7-8 minutes into cooking. This ensures that the outside breading crisps more evenly on both sides of the chicken, and reduces the chance of overcooking it.

Use these Tyson crispy chicken strips as a main course with dipping sauce, as a game day appetizer, or make them into a sandwich. The fantastic crispy coating complements a variety of great recipes that call for breaded chicken breasts.

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