Air fryer ranch chicken tenders with no breading are the easiest and most delicious recipe for chicken tenderloins in an air fryer around. Chicken tenders are tossed with olive oil and dry ranch dressing for a simple and flavor-packed lunch or dinner kids love! Gluten-free.
We have created many chicken recipes over the years that are reader favorites. This air fryer chicken recipe will quickly make its way to the top of the list! It can be served as is, with dipping sauce, added to a recipe, or paired with any desired side dish (find recipe inspiration below!).
If your family enjoys chicken as much as ours, you’ll have to incorporate Baked Chicken Ziti, Gluten Free Chicken Enchiladas, and Crockpot Santa Fe Chicken into your menu rotation soon!
Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
We love cooking and serving chicken tenderloins because not only are they juicy and delicious, but they are also kid-friendly. You can forget dried-out chicken when cooking with tenderloins. Looking for more recipes for chicken tenders? Check out Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Tenderloins, Gluten Free Chicken Strips and Chicken On A Stick.
The air fryer puts a whole new twist on cooking with chicken. It crisps the outside without compromising the juiciness on the inside. What more could you ask for?! Air-fried chicken is a healthy alternative to fried chicken without excess fat or calories.
To get started, gather the equipment and ingredients then follow the written instructions or check out the recipe card below.
Equipment
- air fryer
- medium-sized mixing bowl
- measuring spoons
- whisk
- tongs
- hot mitts
- thermometer
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders ✅
- 1 ounce packet dry ranch dressing ✅
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Make
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the dry ranch dressing and the olive oil. Add the chicken tenders and toss to combine.
Place chicken tenders onto the air fry pan
Using tongs, place chicken tenders in a single layer on the air fry pan.
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F
Once preheated, place the baking tray into the air fryer and bake for 8 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°F.
Serve
Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, on a salad, or chopped in a favorite recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
We love a good side dish, which is why we are sharing our top 5 recipes to pair with chicken tenders: Gluten Free Cheesy Potatoes, Broccoli Salad without Mayo, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, Easy Sauteed Apples and Brussels Sprout Apple Salad.
Sure can! You will need to adjust the cooking time until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F. The thickness of the chicken will determine the total cooking time. We recommend starting with 12 minutes and then adjusting as needed.
Yes! Increase the cooking time to 12-15 minutes if cooking from frozen then check the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F before serving.
Arrange the tenders on the air fryer tray in a single layer, do not overcrowd the tray with tenderloins, always let the air fryer preheat before inserting the chicken, and last but not least, serve with a variety of delicious dipping sauces.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Use a thermometer to check the chicken is at 165°F before serving. You will want to insert the thermometer into the largest section of the tenderloin. If below, place back into the air fryer to cook.
- Have a helper assist in preheating the air fryer and placing the tray into the air fryer. Always wear oven mitts when adding food or removing food from the air fryer.
- Let the chicken rest on the air fryer tray for 5 minutes after cooking before serving.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Baked Apples (Gluten-Free)
- Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Nuggets
- Homemade Chicken Nuggets with Ground Turkey (Air Fryer)
- Air Fryer Banana Chips
- Air Fryer Italian Chicken Thighs
- Ninja Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks
- Salmon Patties in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Pizza Recipe
- Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Thighs
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Air Fryer Ranch Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
Equipment
- hot mitts
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders ✅
- 1 ounce packet dry ranch dressing ✅
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Mix the sauce. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the dry ranch dressing and the olive oil. Add the chicken tenders and toss to combine.1 ounce packet dry ranch dressing, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 pound chicken tenders
- Place chicken tenders onto the air fry pan. Using tongs, place chicken tenders in a single layer on the air fry pan.
- ⭐️ Preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Once preheated, place the baking tray into the air fryer and bake for 8 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Serve. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, on a salad, or chopped in a favorite recipe.
Notes
- Pair the chicken tenders with any of these side dishes: Gluten Free Cheesy Potatoes, Broccoli Salad without Mayo, Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, Easy Sauteed Apples and Brussels Sprout Apple Salad.
- Use chicken thighs or chicken breasts instead of tenderloins by adjusting the cooking time until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F. The thickness of the chicken will determine the total cooking time. We recommend starting with 12 minutes then adjusting as needed.
- Increase the cooking time to 12-15 minutes if cooking from frozen then check the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F before serving.
- Arrange the tenders on the air fryer tray in a single layer
- Do not overcrowd the tray with tenderloins
- Always let the air fryer preheat before inserting the chicken
Nutrition
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