Air Fryer Cajun Chicken Tenders

Thanks to my air fryer, I can now indulge in restaurant-quality fried chicken guilt-free. Despite my best attempts at restraint, every so often, the craving for a plate of crispy and juicy Cajun chicken tenders sets in. They’re one of life’s guilty pleasures that you have to give into sometimes – especially when they are this good!

Thanks to my air fryer with convection cooking technology, I can enjoy delicious Cajun Chicken Tenders without any sense of regret or remorse because it is not deep frying them like most restaurants do but instead using an extra hot oven temperature with super fast airflow circulating all around each piece as if it were being cooked by people who know what they are doing!

Where do Chicken Tenders Come From?

Chicken tender, just like chicken wings, is a ubiquitous chicken item served to customers at chicken restaurants worldwide. Although it seems rather apparent where chicken tenders originated, they originate from the chicken breast, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. The chicken tender is the chicken breast that has been tenderized by a hammer or blade, as chicken breasts are very tough. This chicken cut is called chicken tenders, and they are what they sound like: chicken strips that were once attached to the chicken breasts!

To describe how chicken tenders can be found on a chicken, we’ll use an example of chicken with chicken tenders. Chicken tender (or chicken strips) are located underneath each chicken breast. The chicken is cut in half, and then you can see where they originate from; one end of the chicken breast is a chicken tender!

Besides being attached to the chicken breasts, what else do chicken strips have in common with chicken wings? The chicken tender and chicken wing are chicken pieces with a long history of being served at chicken restaurants. They’re also just about the same size. Chicken tenders average at 2 inches long and 3/4 of an inch wide, although they can be as small as 1 inch or large as 4 inches! Chicken tenders are usually seen as chicken specimens that chicken restaurants serve because chicken breasts can be very hard. Still, chicken strips make for great chicken finger food.

Now you know where chicken tenders come from and how they’re made! Additionally, the next time someone asks you where chicken fingers come from, you can tell them chicken tenders! Because chicken tenders are chicken fingers!

Chicken fingers are chicken strips. So chicken tenders are chicken fingers! It’s that simple!

Chicken Tenders (Handmade or Frozen)

Chicken tenders are my favorite thing about dinner these days. I love how they come in various flavors and cooking methods, like Cajun or Italian style. And the best part is yet to come- not only do chicken tenders reduce calories but also save time!

My whole family loves when we get home from work because it means one less meal prep for us; so long as there’s some lemon pepper seasoning with our pasta noodles on hand, then you’re good to go!

What Is Cajun Seasoning?

Louisiana is home to the Cajuns, a people who know how to spice up their food. So it may be no surprise that they developed such an exciting and delicious seasoning in Louisiana called cajun seasoning!

Cajun spice blends are made from fresh herbs and spices that you either dry yourself or buy dried and then grind into a powder. Cajun spices are a great way to season seafood! Besides, Cajun seasoning has paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, and black pepper. Cajun spices are also common in Cajun dishes such as shrimp gumbo or Cajun fried chicken. Cajun seasoning recipe will get you to a perfect balance of flavor without being too salty.

Homemade Cajun Chicken Tenders

• Time to Prepare: 15 minutes
• Time to Cook: 25 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Calories: 520 kcal

Ingredients

Ingredients for Tender Chicken

• 2 pound tenderloin of chicken breast.
• 4 eggs.
• 1 cup flour (all-purpose).
• 2 tsp Cajun Seasoning.
• 1 teaspoon of salt.
• 2 quarter teaspoon of pepper spray oil.

Ingredients for Tender Frozen Chicken

• 2 pound of chicken tenders.

Instructions

Instructions for Homemade Chicken Tender

1. Preheat your air fryer for 10 minutes at 360°F.
2. Two eggs should be beaten on a small plate and set aside.
3. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning in a medium bowl.
4. To keep the air fryer basket from sticking, spray oil on it.
5. Each chicken tenderloin must be dipped in egg wash and then immediately coated in the flour mixture.
6. In the basket of the preheated air fryer, layer the breaded chicken. Oil the chicken face.
7. Cook for 20 minutes at 360°F, stirring every 5 minutes.
8. Check the internal temperature of your chicken pieces with a thermometer to make sure they are at least 120°F.
9. Serve with the dipping sauce of your choice.

Instructions for Frozen Chicken Tender

1. Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 360°F.
2. Place a mat on the bottom of the pan and arrange the chicken in a single layer on top of the mat.
3. For 10 minutes, air fry at 360°F.
4. Make sure your frozen chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 140°F with a food thermometer.