Deliciously crispy Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins are ready in less than 15 minutes in the Air Fryer! Air frying is a convenient way to cook up your favorite crispy, tender frozen chicken strips quickly and easily with no excess oil.

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- Air Fryer Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins
- Ingredients
- Watch the Video
- Different Types of Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins
- Instructions
- Recipe Tips
- Dipping Sauces to Serve with Chicken Tenders
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Instructions
- FAQ
- Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins in the Air Fryer
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Air Fryer Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins
We're big fans of Tyson's southern style chicken breast tenderloins. These crispy, 100% all natural chicken breast strips have a crispy batter and tasty, peppery seasoning it's easy for the whole family to love.
But baking them in the oven takes time, and if you try to make them in the microwave, you're going to wind up with soggy chicken tenders. The perfect solution? Our Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins air fryer recipe!
Air frying is faster and easier than oven baking. It's efficient, won't heat up the house, and saves time. Even better: these air fried chicken tenderloins will turn out much crispier than they do in a conventional oven.
We'll explain how to make these frozen Tyson chicken tenderloins in the air fryer, the taste and texture you can expect, and all the expert tips you need for making them into one of your new favorite air fryer dinners. Let's get air frying!
Ingredients

- Frozen Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins: Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins are fully cooked, high-quality, pre-seasoned chicken strips that make dinner prep a breeze. You can find them in the freezer section of most grocery stores. Look for the familiar Tyson logo on the packaging. They're an easy meal perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends!
- Oil Spray: You don't need any extra oil to make these chicken strips crispy, but we like to use avocado oil in an oil sprayer to give them a little extra crisp boost. Make sure you do not use a pressurized cooking spray with additives, as these can damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer. Only use a natural oil such as avocado or olive oil in an oil sprayer. Learn more: Air Frying Oils
Watch the Video
Different Types of Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins
Tyson offers a variety of chicken tenderloin options to suit your flavor or dietary preferences:
- Regular: Classic Southern-style chicken with a mild spice blend.
- Spicy: For those who enjoy a little heat, opt for the spicy version.
- Gluten-Free: If you have dietary restrictions and need to avoid wheat flour, Tyson also offers gluten-free options.
- Plant Based: Yes, Tyson even has frozen plant based varieties!
Instructions

Step 1 - Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the frozen Tyson southern style breast tenderloins in a single layer in the air fryer basket (do not thaw). Make sure not to overlap any of the chicken strips. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Step 2 - For extra crispy tenders, spray the chicken tenderloins with your preferred oil.

Step 3 - Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes. Flip the chicken tenders halfway through the cook time using tongs to ensure they cook evenly on all sides. If you're using a toaster oven style air fryer such as the Breville Smart Oven Air, it may take 12-15 minutes to cook these tenders.

Step 4 - Using tongs, remove the chicken strips from the air fryer once golden brown and cooked through, and serve with your favorite dipping sauces and side dishes!
Recipe Tips
- Important Note: Use an oil sprayer filled with your desired oil, such as avocado oil, olive oil, or other vegetable oils. Avoid using a pressurized cooking spray with additives as it could damage the non-stick coating in your air fryer.
- Cook from frozen – Do not thaw first.
- Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches as needed.
- Cook time may vary depending on your specific air fryer.
- Recipe time and temperature is based on a preheated air fryer.
- Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins are breaded and fully cooked. To ensure they're safe for consumption, you do want to make sure they heat all of the way through! Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Dipping Sauces to Serve with Chicken Tenders
- BBQ Sauce: A classic choice with smoky, tangy flavors.
- Honey Mustard: The sweetness of honey combined with the tanginess of mustard.
- Ranch Dressing: Creamy and cool, a great complement to crispy air fryer chicken tenders.
- Buffalo Sauce: Spicy and fiery for those who love a kick.
- Ketchup: A simple and familiar option for dipping.
- Garlic Aioli: Creamy with a garlic punch.
- Sweet and Sour Sauce: A balance of sweetness and tanginess.
- Teriyaki Sauce: A savory and slightly sweet sauce with an Asian flair.
- Blue Cheese Dressing: A rich and tangy choice for buffalo-style chicken.
- Sriracha Mayo: A blend of spicy Sriracha and creamy mayo.
- Chipotle Mayo: Smoky and slightly spicy, perfect for a Southwestern twist.
- Tzatziki Sauce: Cool and refreshing, great for a Mediterranean twist.
- Honey BBQ Sauce: A sweet and smoky BBQ sauce with a hint of honey.
- Guacamole: Creamy avocado goodness with a hint of spice.
- Salsa: A fresh and vibrant choice for a Tex-Mex flair.
Serving Suggestions
- Classic Air Fryer Dinner Plate: Serve the chicken tenderloins alongside Air Fryer Sliced Potatoes and vegetables such as Air Fryer Green Beans for a quick and easy dinner. Or pair them with a simple garden salad if you are really short on time.
- Chicken Tender Sliders: Place the chicken tenders in mini slider buns with lettuce, tomato, and your favorite condiments for tasty sliders. Serve with Air Fryer Frozen French Fries.
- Chicken Wrap or Burrito: Roll the chicken tenders in a tortilla with lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for a delicious wrap or burrito and serve with Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
- Chicken and Waffles: Serve the chicken tenders on top of fluffy Air Fryer Waffles, drizzle with maple syrup, and enjoy the sweet and savory combination.
- Appetizer Platter: Serve the chicken tenders as an appetizer with an assortment of dipping sauces for a party or gathering.
For more ideas, see all of our Air Fryer Side Dishes!
Storage Instructions
- Cool: Allow the leftover chicken tenders to cool to room temperature for no longer than two hours after cooking. This prevents bacterial growth.
- Store: Place the cooled leftovers in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Ensure that the container is tightly sealed to prevent air and moisture from getting in.
- Refrigerate: Place the sealed container in the refrigerator and store for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing (Optional): If you don't plan to consume the leftovers within a few days, you can freeze them for longer storage. Wrap the chicken tenders tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and label with the date. Frozen leftovers can be stored for several months.
- Reheating: When you're ready to enjoy the leftovers, reheat them thoroughly. You can use your air fryer to reheat the chicken tenders, which will help maintain their crispiness. Heat at 350°F for 5 minutes.
FAQ
Absolutely! Adjust the cooking time if needed.
It's best to avoid stacking food in the air fryer as it may lead to uneven cooking. Cook them in a single layer for the crispiest results.
To reheat, place the leftovers in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F to restore their crispiness. Avoid using a microwave, which may make them soggy and rubbery.
Air Fryer Chicken Recipes
- Tyson Popcorn Chicken
- Frozen Chicken Strips
- Frozen Chicken Thighs
- ALDI Red Bag Chicken
- Thin Chicken Breasts
- Try all of our Air Fryer Chicken Recipes and Air Fryer Frozen Foods!
Leave a comment and review for us below if you enjoyed this recipe, or if you have questions about any of our air fryer recipes!

Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins in the Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- Frozen Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins
- Oil Spray optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F.Frozen Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins
- Place frozen chicken tenderloins into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Lightly coat chicken with oil spray for extra crispy chicken tenders (optional). Important Note: Use a sprayer filled with your desired oil. Avoid using a pressurized cooking spray with additives as it could damage the non-stick coating of your air fryer.Oil Spray
- Air fry 10-12 minutes, turning over halfway through air frying using tongs.
- When heated through and crispy, remove from the air fryer to a serving plate and enjoy!
Notes
- Important Note: Use an oil sprayer filled with your desired oil, such as avocado oil, olive oil, or other vegetable oils. Avoid using a pressurized cooking spray with additives as it could damage the non-stick coating in your air fryer.
- Cook from frozen – Do not thaw first.
- Don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches as needed.
- Cook time may vary depending on your specific air fryer.
- Recipe time and temperature is based on a preheated air fryer.
- Tyson Southern Style Chicken Tenderloins are breaded and fully cooked. To ensure they're safe for consumption, you do want to make sure they heat all of the way through! Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
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