Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Instant Pot Vortex)
Air fryer chicken tenders is an often requested recipe for the Instant Pot Vortex. Kids love them, and they are easy to make. This Instant Pot Vortex chicken tender recipe is a bit unique from other recipes in that it uses Panko breadcrumbs and adds Parmesan cheese and a bit of Italian seasoning for flavor so that it does not need dipping. But then I dipped the chicken strips in ranch anyway. Becasue I do love a dipped chicken tender!
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders in the Instant Pot Vortex
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken strips or chicken fingers, are cuts of meat from the side of the breast of the chicken (learn more about chicken cuts here). They are white meat and tend to be easy to cook either in an air fryer, oven, or regular fryer. By using the air fryer, you use less oil, which cuts the calories some and makes them more healthy.
Want to make air fryer chicken thighs instead? You can use this recipe with thighs, but will likely need to increase the air frying time a bit. Or check out this Air Fryer Panko Chicken recipe for cooking up some tasty chicken thighs.
This is great beginner recipe because it is super easy to make. Want more easy air fryer recipes? Checkout these beginner air fryer recipes.
For my Instant Pot Vortex chicken tenders, I started by coating the tenders with milk. You can also use Buttermilk, which I prefer and really helps keep things moist (see also my Instant Pot Vortex Rotisserie Chicken recipe). Then, I dipped each tender in flour, followed by egg, and then followed by a mix of Panko bread crumbs and seasoning. You can use other things in place of Panko if you like such as crushed cornflakes or regular breadcrumbs. You can also make these without Parmesan if you want a more basic air fryer chicken tender recipe.
For an example of a recipe using Corn Flakes, check out my Air Fryer Cheese Frenchee recipe.
The key to getting your chicken tenders crispy in the air fryer is to give them a good spray with oil before putting them in. Hold your spray mister or can fairly high so that the pressure does not move the flour coating off of the chicken strips.
Be sure to give the tray a good coating too. I like to place a paper towel under mine when I spray it so that the counter does not get super oily. I like to use Avocado oil, which has a high heat point and I like brands that are pure so that there are no ingredients that can damage cookware. This is one of my favorites.
Cooking Chicken Tenders in the Vortex Air Fryer
I did my chicken tenders on two trays, so I had to do some rotating of trays. For cook time, I set the Vortex to 400 and air fried for about 5 minutes before turning the chicken strips over and switching trays. After another five minutes I turned them all over again and switched trays. Then I did a final turn and switch after about three minutes and cooked for another 3 minutes.
Your cook time is going to vary based on the number of chicken tenders, if you are using two trays, and general thickness of your chicken strips. So, monitor things and turn the chicken and/or flip around trays as needed.
Serving Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
I served my Vortex air fired chicken tenders with Teriyaki vegetables that were also made in the Vortex (recipe to come). I made those in the rotisserie basket before I made the chicken strips.
I dipped my chicken tenders in ranch dressing, but the breaded chicken tenders are also good with BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or really any dipping sauce of choice.
More Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
Want more chicken recipes? check out this great ebook from the people over at Recipe This. They formulate a lot of good recipes. Click the image to check it out (affiliate link).
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Instant Pot Vortex)
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders made in the Instant Pot Vortex. These breaded chicken tenders are crispy and tasty. Made with Parmesan for extra flavor!
Ingredients
- 1 pound skinless, chicken tenders or chicken breast cut into strips
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs or other breadcrumbs of choice
- 2 eggs
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk or Buttermilk (preferred)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking oil spray (I use avocado oil)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400.
- Place the chicken tenders in a ziplock bag or bowl and coat with milk
- Mix the Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper, and seasoning in a shallow bowl
- Place the egg in another bowl and flour in a separate bowl.
- Dredge the tenders through the flour, shaking off excess, then dip in egg, then dredge through the breadcrumb mix.
- Spray the air fryer trays or basket with oil and place the tenders on the tray. Do not crowd or overlap the the tenders.
- Spray the chicken tenders with oil.
- Air fry for 5 minutes, then turn the tenders over and spray them again with oil. Switch tray positions if using multiple trays.
- Air fry for another 5 minutes and again flip the tenders and switch trays if necessary.
- Air fry for another 6 minutes or until the chicken tenders are golden brown and internal temperature is at least 165, flipping the tenders or switching trays as necessary.
Notes
You can make these air fryer chicken tenders with cornflakes instead of breadcrumbs. The Parmesan can also be removed and additional breadcrumbs added if desired.
Cooking times will sometimes vary. Monitor the chicken strips and turn them and/or switch tray positions as needed.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 2Amount Per Serving: Calories: 365Total Fat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 158mgSodium: 464mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 37g
Hi, I just bought a Vortex and have tried out a few recipes with it. My chicken wasn’t very crispy so can I ask a few tips? First, a general question – do I put the food in while the vortex is heating up? Or after it’s preheated? I can’t seem to find this info anywhere! Second, if I’m using both trays, which slots should I put them on and how much flipping/swapping of levels do I need to do mid-cook? I used the very top and the bottom and the top got burned and the bottom wasn’t crispy. Third, when you say to cook for five min and then flip and then flip again, are you setting the time on the vortex for the full length of time and just keeping track of when you need to flip? Mine turned off after the initial set time and setting it for more time seemed to require it to “reheat”, which I thought would have been quick since it was just on, but really wasn’t. Any tips you can offer would be great! Thanks!
Hi! I recommend preheating before putting the food in. To assure crispy chicken, I recommend several things. First, although you do spray with oil a bit before putting it in, don’t over spray, Just a little bit will do. Then you definitely want to swap those trays around and turn the chicken multiple times when using two trays. I usually use the bottom slot and the second slot from the top. Yes, that top one will get too dark if you don’t swap trays. I usually set the length for the full time, or even some extra and just open it every five minutes or so to flip the items and swap the trays. That avoids having to wait for a reheat time.
It definitely is more challenging when cooking with two trays, but you can and should get crispy chicken!
Can I use frozen chicken tenders that are Panko breaded instead of doing all the breading myself? If so how long approximately should they cook?
Thank you
Hi! Yes you can do frozen chicken tenders. I suggest giving them a spray of oil and air frying at 390 or 400 for about 10-12 minutes, turning them once or twice during that. Monitor them to see if they need a bit less or more time. I’m guessing that 12 minutes will be close on the time.
I just bought the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer because my husband is having issues with fried foods. I made the chicken tenders and was not impressed — not tender enough, but I won’t give up. They looked good and the breading tasted good. I’ll try again. If anyone has any ideas, I’d love to hear them. Thanks
Hi my daughter bought me a vortex mini. How do I fair fry 2 pieces of chicken?
Hi! That depends on the size and type of your chicken pieces and how you want to prepare them. Are you looking for simply fried chicken breasts, tenders, or something else?