Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Chick-fil-A Copy Cat)
Crispy on the outside and juice on the inside, these air fryer chicken tenders are the Chick-Fil-A copy cat recipe you need in your life. Marinated chicken tenders cook up in about 6 minutes in the air fryer for a delicious and dairy-free meal that everyone in your family is sure to love.
I have spent a pretty penny rolling through the Chick-Fil-A drive thru and I don’t see that habit slowing down anytime soon.
My son’s affinity for their waffle fries, the joy he finds i the little orange slices in their fruit cup, and the amount of food he actually consumes from there alone will keep me coming back monthly.
That said, it’s a pretty pricy habit and one I can cut the cost of easily by making my own Chick-Fil-A chicken tenders at home in the air fryer.
Why We Love these Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
I’m all about a quick and air fried meal. Here are just some of the reasons we love to make these copy cat Chick-Fil-A chicken tenders.
- Super flavorful. The pickle juice marinade is everything that makes these chicken tenders irresistible.
- Toddler approved. Both of my children inhale these air fryer chicken tenders. I don’t question the why, I just keep plating them up!
- Versatile. Serve these tenders as a main dish, on top of a salad, or as an easy appetizer, they are a hit anyway you dish them!
Dairy-Free Changes to Chick-Fil-A Chicken Tenders
This recipe was adapted from Eating On a Dime’s Chick-Fil-A Chicken Tender Recipe. To make this delicious recipe dairy-free we swapped one ingredient:
- Dairy-Free Milk– In place of milk we used oat milk to keep this chicken tender recipe delightfully dairy-free.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken tenders– About a pound of boneless skinless chicken tenders makes one batch of these chicken tenders.
- Pickle juice– I like to use the pickle juice from a jar of dill pickles.
- Egg– Whisked with the oat milk.
- Oat milk– Used before breading the chicken tenders.
- Flour– All purpose flour works best in this recipe.
- Spices– A blend of salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder season these chicken tenders.
- Non-stick spray– Used to coat the chicken tenders before cooking to a crisp finish in the air fryer.
Step-by-Step Directions for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
- Marinate in pickle juice: Place the boneless skinless chicken tenders in a shallow dish of pickle juice for at least 30 minutes but up to a day in advance.
- Make oat milk mixture: When you are ready to begin making the chicken tenders, whisk together oat milk and an egg.
- Drain the pickle juice from the chicken tenders and pour the oat milk mixture over the chicken.
- Coat with egg mixture: Using tongs, toss the chicken to coat with the milk and egg mixture. Set aside.
- Make the breading: In a large gallon zip top bag, add flour, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Toss the dry ingredients to mix completely.
- Add chicken to breading: Drain the oat milk mixture from the chicken and transfer the chicken tenders into the gallon zip top bag.
- Toss chicken tenders: Close the bag and toss to coat the chicken completely in the breading.
- Remove from the bag and place on a plate while the air fryer pre-heats.
- Pre-heat the air fryer to 400°F with a 6 minute cook time.
- Spray the chicken tenders with non-stick spray on both sides before placing in the preheated air fryer.
- Cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through the cook time.
- Serve: Remove from air fryer and check the temperature of the chicken tenders to ensure they have cooked fully.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
When you are ready to whip up these easy chicken tenders in the air fryer, here are some helpful kitchen tools to help you along the way.
- Air Fryer– Used to cook the chicken tenders to a deliciously crispy finish.
- Tongs– Great for tossing and turning the chicken tender pieces.
- Shallow glass storage container– Great for marinating chicken in the refrigerator over night.
Serving Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
There are a number of sides you can make to serve up with these delicious chicken tenders. Here are some of our favorites.
- Fruit Salad
- Fresh Cucumber and Tomato Salad
- Creamed Corn
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Twice Baked Potatoes
Storing and Reheating Chick-Fil-A Chicken Tenders
I would suggest allowing the chicken tenders to cool before you store them.
- Storing– Place fully cooked chicken tenders in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating– Pop the chicken tenders back in the air fryer on “reheat” for about 2-3 minutes. Be sure to spray with non-stick spray for a crispy finish.
Sauces for Chicken Tenders
While I think these chicken tenders are mighty fine on their own, here are a few different sauces you can dish out with these delicious tenders.
- Chick-Fil-A Sauce (thankfully available at Kroger)
- Bar-B-Q Sauce (I love Sweet Baby Rays)
- Ranch– You can whip up a batch of my dairy-free ranch dressing from the wedge salad recipe.
- Ketchup– My husband disagrees with this being considered a sauce but my son swears by it so… it makes the list.
More Chicken Recipes to Make Next
If you tried this Air Fryer Chicken Tender recipe feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear how it went! Or, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!
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Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
Crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, these easy air fryer chicken tenders are a Chick-Fil-A copy cat recipe your whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Tenders boneless, skinless
- ½ cup Pickle Juice
- ½ cup Oat Milk
- 1 large Egg
- ½ cup Flour All-Purpose
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
Instructions
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Place about 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken tenders in a shallow dish with ½ cup pickle juice for at least 30 minutes but up to a day in advance.
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When you are ready to begin making the chicken tenders, whisk together ½ cup oat milk and 1 large egg.
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Drain the pickle juice from the chicken tenders and pour the oat milk mixture over the chicken.
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Using tongs, toss the chicken to coat with the milk and egg mixture and set aside.
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In a large gallon zip top bag, add ½ cup flour, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, and ½ teaspoon garlic powder. Toss the dry ingredients to mix completely.
-
Drain the oat milk mixture from the chicken and transfer the chicken tenders into the gallon zip top bag.
-
Close the bag and toss to coat the chicken completely in the breading.Remove from the bag and place on a plate while the air fryer pre-heats.
-
Pre-heat the air fryer to 400°F with a 6 minute cook time.
-
Spray the chicken tenders with non-stick spray on both sides before placing in the preheated air fryer.
-
Cook for 6 minutes, flipping halfway through the cook time.
-
Remove from air fryer and check the temperature of the chicken tenders to ensure they have cooked fully.
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