These blackened chicken tenders are the homemade version of everyone’s favorite Popeye’s blackened chicken. They’re easy to make on the stove or in the air fryer, and cooking with high heat allows the delicious flavors of the blackened seasoning to shine!
If I’m going to get fast food, I try to opt for Popeyes blackened chicken tenders. They’re not breaded, a great source of protein, have great flavor, and are perfect with mashed potatoes. The problem is, 9 times out of 10 when I try to get them in the drive-thru, I’m told they’re out. So, I thought, why not make them myself?!
We use a blend of homemade blackened seasoning which coats the chicken in incredible flavors, and once pan-fried, the seasoning forms a flavorful blackened crust around each piece.
This recipe is for the pan-fried version in a bit of olive oil, but you can certainly choose to air fry them if you prefer. I’m including those instructions too.
Serve them with some blackened ranch, mashed potatoes and gravy for dinner, or on their own as an appetizer. You can even use leftovers in a wrap or with salad for lunch the next day.
Easy Blackened Chicken Tenders
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Using homemade blackened seasoning means you can adjust the spice level.
- All it takes is to shake the chicken in seasoning, and pan fry for a few minutes.
- So much flavor on the outside, tender juicy chicken on the inside.
- Great for meal prep and can be used in different ways.
Helpful Tools
Ingredients
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
Jump- Chicken breasts – Boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips, lengthwise. You can also purchase tenders already cut, but I find they’re usually thinner that way.
- Blackened seasoning – A combination of smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, chili powder, black pepper, oregano, and thyme. Regular paprika can be swapped for smoked, if you don’t have it.
- Olive oil – For cooking. Avocado oil is a great alternative.
How to make Blackened Chicken Tenders
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Jump- Step 1: Add all the seasonings to a large freezer bag and shake to combine. You can also do this in a bowl with a whisk, if preferred.
- Step 2: Drop the chicken strips into the seasoning, zip the bag closed, and shake until all the pieces of chicken are fully coated.
- Step 3: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle in the oil. Once the pan and the oil are hot, cook the chicken strips for about 6-7 minutes per side. Although they are blackened, you will see areas of the chicken that are golden brown. That’s a good indication they are done.
- Step 4: Transfer the chicken to a paper towel lined plate and finish cooking the remaining pieces of chicken, if you needed to work in batches. Enjoy!
Air Fryer Instructions: Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Prepare the chicken as directed. Place in air fryer, spray with olive oil (or nonstick spray) and cook for 5 minutes, flip, and cook an additional 5 minutes. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
How to serve it
The possibilities are endless, which is why this is so great for meal prep too!
Cook a bunch of chicken tenders at once and store them throughout the rest of the week. Use them in tacos, sandwiches, wraps, etc.
Serve them with mashed potatoes, cheesy potato casserole, or oven baked wedges. You could also go with rice, or pasta, and a side of veggies. Or, keep it low carb and put it together like we do with a zaatar chicken salad.
Or, whip them up for a snack or appetizer along with your favorite dipping sauce.
- This recipe is written with measurements for each individual spice. If you already have a blend ready to go, you’ll need 4-5 teaspoons of seasoning per 1 lb of chicken.
- To air fry the chicken tenders, place the chicken in a preheated 350°F air fryer for 10 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- To make a blackened ranch dipping sauce (highly recommended!), set aside some of the seasoning before you add the chicken to it, and stir it into 1/4 cup of ranch dressing. It tastes just like it does at Popeyes!
Storage & Reheating
How to store leftovers
Keep leftover Popeyes blackened chicken tenders in the fridge for up to 3 days. Be sure to cover it in an airtight container for maximum freshness.
Freezing Instructions
Once completely cooled, you can freeze the tenders for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat before serving.
Reheating Instructions
These reheat well in the microwave, the air fryer, and the oven. Take your pick!
Need more chicken recipes? Try these:
Spicy Ranch Slow Cooker Chicken
Click here to view my entire collection of chicken recipes.
Did You Make This?
If you made this recipe, I’d love to know how it went in the comments section below.
You can also tag me on Instagram – @melissa_ppplates or share a pic in the Persnickety Plates Community Facebook group. I love seeing what you’ve tried!
Blackened Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ Tablespoon cayenne pepper
- ½ Tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts into strips and set aside.1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
- To a large freezer bag, add all the seasonings and shake to combine. (or add all to a bowl and mix, if you prefer)1 Tablespoon smoked paprika, ½ Tablespoon cayenne pepper, ½ Tablespoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon oregano, ¼ teaspoon thyme, 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- Drop the chicken strips into the seasoning bag and shake to fully coat.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the oil. Once heated, add the seasoned chicken strips and cook until golden brown, approximately 6-7 minutes per side. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from chicken from the pan and serve with dipping sauces.
Notes
- Alternatively, if you have a full batch of blackened seasoning, you would need 4-5 teaspoons per pound of chicken.
- Avocado oil or vegetable oil can be used in place of olive oil.
- Air Fryer Instructions: Preheat air fryer to 350°F. Prepare the chicken as directed. Place in air fryer, spray with olive oil (or nonstick spray) and cook for 5 minutes, flip, and cook an additional 5 minutes. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- To make a blackened ranch dipping sauce, before adding the chicken to the seasoning mix, reserve a teaspoon and stir it into 1/4 cup of ranch dressing.
- Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
I made this to throw over a salad and it was amazing! Keep the recipes coming!
=) I had some for breakfast today lol