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5 from 11 votes
Home By Course Main Entrees Proteins

15-Minute Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders (Popeyes Copycat)

These Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders are juicy, flavorful and so easy to make! They're made with the easiest spice blend and are great for meal prep because they pair with so many things. And they're ready in 15 minutes!

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By: Lauren published: Jul. 06, 2023 updated: Aug. 04, 2023 11 Comments

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Blackened Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Popeye Copycat) on plate.
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders pin.
Contents hide
About This Recipe
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders
Ingredients and Substitutions
Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations
How To Make
How To Reheat
How To Remove Tendon from Chicken Tenderloin
FAQ: Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders
More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders (Popeyes Copycat)
MyFitnessPal Entry
Did You Make This?

About This Recipe

Did you know that Popeye’s blackened chicken tenders are actually fried? I know, right? Who knew! But we’re making air fryer blackened chicken tenders (Popeyes copycat version) today!

These copycat Popeyes air fried blackened chicken tenders are ridicously easy to make and have 0 carbs and only 3 grams of fat.

I absolutely love making air fried chicken for meal prep, salads, sandwiches, pastas and more! It’s a guaranteed way to make juicy, tender chicken every time! Plus, this chicken freezes so well so it’s perfect for making in advance and freezing for later when you might need a quick meal. 

These air fryer blackened chicken tenders (Popeyes copycat) are great for adding protein to any dish but are also great served as a main entree!

Serve this chicken with a quick side of green beans, broccoli, roasted potatoes or sweet potato wedges for a quick, weeknight meal everyone will love! 

Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders

  • Less than 5 minutes of prep and ready in just 15 minutes!
  • Awesome high protein option – 0 carbs, low fat and 28 grams of protein per serving!
  • Great for meal prep! Make in bulk and enjoy all week!
  • Super versatile – Perfect for salads, chicken sandwiches, pastas or with your favorite sides!
  • Freezer friendly and an easy chicken recipe for last-minute meals!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Ingredients for blackened chicken.
  • Chicken – I used chicken tenderloins for this recipe! I think tenderloins are so easy to cook and always turn out super tender. You can also use thin chicken breast or slice regular breasts into tenders 
  • Olive oil – or another oil with high smoking point (like avocado oil or canola oil). You could also just use cooking spray if you preferred.
  • Seasonings – paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, oregano, salt, pepper
  • Red pepper flakes – optional for heat 

Optional Variations and Dietary Adaptations

  • Type of Chicken: Use chicken breasts or chicken thighs instead of tenders. You can cook them whole, cut them into slices, or dice them into 1-inch pieces.
  • Use fish instead of Chicken: This blackened seasoning is also delicious with fish. Swap the chicken for some yummy shrimp, salmon, tilapia, or your favorite fish!
  • Make it extra spicy! If you love spice, add 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper to your mix for an increase in heat! 
  • Sauce: These tenders were made for dipping!! You honestly can’t go wrong! BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, caesar dressing, honey mustard or bang bang sauce would all be delicious!

How To Make

The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!

Spices for air fryer blackened chicken tenders (popeyes copycat).

1. Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F. In a small bowl, add all the spices for the blackened chicken. 

Spices for air fryer blackened chicken tenders(popeyes copycat).

2. Mix together.

Chicken tenderloins with blackening spices added.

3. Pat chicken tenderloins dry with a paper towel and spray with cooking spray. Then toss evenly with the blackened seasoning mix.

Chicken tenders in air fryer.

4. Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the tenders in the basket in a single layer.

Blackened chicken tenders cooked in air fryer.

5. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until cooked through.

Blackened Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Popeye Copycat) on plate.

6. Set on a plate to rest for 5 minutes before cutting.  

How To Reheat

There are so many easy ways to reheat these blackened chicken tenders. You can use the air fryer, oven, or stovetop to reheat. My personal preference is the air fryer but any method will work!

  • To reheat in the air fryer: place chicken tenders in the air fryer at 350F for 5-7 minutes. If your chicken tenders are frozen, increase the cooking time to around 12 minutes.
  • To reheat on the stove: heat a little oil in a skillet, then place chicken tenders in pan and heat for 1-2 minutes on each side. Ensure you keep the chicken moving to prevent it from burning.
  • To reheat in the microwave: wrap chicken tenderloins in a damp paper towel and reheat on 70% for 30 second increments or until heated through. Note: this is my least preferred method as it can sometimes make the chicken tenders tough but if you’re careful to not overheat it generally works just fine!\
  • To reheat in the oven: preheat to 400°F and lay the chicken out on a baking sheet. Heat for 15-20 minutes, flipping once halfway through. You must defrost frozen chicken tenders before heating them in the oven.

How To Remove Tendon from Chicken Tenderloin

If you want to remove the tough white tendon from the chicken tender, you can use a fork and paper towel to quickly remove it. Simply place the tendon between the fork’s prongs, grip the tendon with the paper towel, and pull away from the chicken tenderloin. Check out this article for an example!

Blackened Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Popeye Copycat) on plate.

FAQ: Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders

How do I know my chicken pieces are done?

One of the biggest mistakes when cooking chicken (or various other types of meat) is overcooking it and waiting until it reaches 165F to pull it out. You can actually cook chicken until it reaches 155F and allow carryover cooking to ensure it reaches 165F. This helps keep your chicken moist and juicy and avoids overcooking which can dry your chicken out. To check the internal temperature of the chicken, I recommend using an instant read thermometer! 

Can I freeze these chicken tenders? 

Yes! I love making a big batch of chicken tenders like these then placing in the freezer for when I need a quick protein option! To freeze, let cool completely. Then place in an airtight container or vacuumed-sealed freezer bag and freeze up to 3 months. To thaw, place chicken tenders in fridge overnight or place in cool water to thaw quicker. 

How can I cook these Copycat Popeye’s Blackened Chicken Tenders if I don’t have an air fryer?

If you don’t have an air fryer you can cook these easy blackened chicken tenderloins in the oven or stovetop! To cook in oven, place chicken on a sheet pan and cook at 400F for 15-18 minutes. To cook on stovetop, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken tenderloins to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes or until done. 

Are these air fryer blackened chicken tenders (popeyes copycat) healthy?

Yes! This chicken tenders recipe is a great healthy alternative to the fast food option! It’s made with an easy, homemade blend of spices (no extra additives), way less cooking oil than traditional fried recipes (Popeye’s also fry their blackened tenders), and is low carb (and gluten-free) since it doesn’t require any type of flour mixture. One of my favorite reasons why I love the air fryer is because it requires less oil which helps keep fats down! This recipe also uses olive oil (instead of canola oil or seed oil) so it can be better for your hormones. 

More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

Air fryer bbq chicken (healthy, juicy 20 minutes!) in an air fryer.

Air Fryer BBQ Chicken (Healthy, Juicy, ready in 20 Minutes!)

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Air fryer turkey burgers on a bun with red onion, tomato, lettuce, an tzatziki.

Juicy Greek Turkey Burgers (Air Fryer, Grill or Stovetop)

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The Most Crispy and Flavorful Air Fryer Chicken Patty 

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!

Blackened Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Popeye Copycat) on plate.
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5 from 11 votes

Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders (Popeyes Copycat)

? Dairy-Free ? Gluten-Free ? High Protein ? Low Carb
These Air Fryer Blackened Chicken Tenders are juicy, flavorful and so easy to make! They're made with the easiest spice blend and are great for meal prep because they pair with so many things. And they're ready in 15 minutes!
Yield: 4
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Total: 15 minutes mins
Calories: 139kcal
Protein: 28g
Fat: 3g

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. chicken tenderloins
  • 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp each: paprika, garlic powder, onion powder
  • 1 tsp each: cumin, oregano, salt, pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional for heat

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes. Scroll for macros and MyFitnessPal code.

Instructions

  • Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees F.
  • In a small bowl, mix together all the spices for the blackened chicken.
  • Pat chicken tenderloins dry with a paper towel and spray with cooking spray. Then toss evenly with the seasoning mix.
  • Spray air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the tenders in the basket in a single layer. Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. Set on a plate to rest for 5 minutes before cutting. 

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Instant Read Meat Thermometer optional

Notes

To cook in oven: place chicken on a sheet pan and cook at 400F for 15-18 minutes.
To cook on stovetop: heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken tenderloins to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip and cook an additional 2-3 minutes or until done.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1 /4 of tenders (110g), Calories: 139kcal (7%), Protein: 28g (56%), Fat: 3g (5%), Saturated Fat: -2g (-13%)

Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.

MyFitnessPal Entry

LFF Blackened Chicken Tenders

© Author: Lauren

Blackened Air Fryer Chicken Tenders (Popeye Copycat) on plate.

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Lauren

Lauren lives with her husband, Simon and two dogs, Finley and Cookie, in the Carolina’s. She has college degrees in Nursing and Exercise Science, is a NASM certified trainer and spent many years as a macro coach before transitioning to full time blogging. She loves staying active, being creative and recreating her favorite comfort food dishes into healthier, lightened up versions. Desserts are her speciality!

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I’m Lauren, a food lover sharing healthy, macro-friendly recipes that taste good and you can feel good about eating. Here you’ll find everything from breakfasts to easy dinners to lightened up desserts because desserts are absolutely mandatory around here!

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