Passport Chicken–a quick and easy air fryer or grilled chicken tenderloin recipe that has so much flavor from a simple marinade.
Passport Chicken
The flavor of this chicken surpasses its appearance by far! Whether you opt for air frying or grilling, the small chicken tenderloin pieces cook rapidly, taking just a few minutes. The marinade (with lemon zest and juice) infuses the chicken lots of flavor. This recipe is healthy, boasting ample protein and low carbs. It makes an excellent beginning to dinner. Pair it with roasted vegetables, rice pilaf, or seasoned cauliflower rice for a nutritious and delicious dinner. My son, husband and I loved this and ate it until it was gone…I wish I would have doubled it!
This recipe has been adapted from No Crumbs Left.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Olive oil
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic cloves
- Juice and zest and one lemon
- Kosher salt
- 1 tsp Pepper
- Chicken tenderloins
Steps
Whisk the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper together in a flat container (with a lid). I use this one*. Place the chicken in the marinade and spoon some of the marinade over the top. Cover the container and refrigerate overnight. If you remember turn the chicken over a couple times during the time it marinates.
Preheat air fryer (I use the Instant Vortex air fryer*) at 400 degrees for 4 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray then add chicken in one layer (you may need to work in batches). Shake off excess marinade and discard. Air fry for 4 minutes, flip over and air fry for 3 more minutes. Use an instant read thermometer to see if the chicken is cooked through (they’re finished cooking when the internal temperature reaches 165 F.) Some thicker pieces may take longer while some thinner pieces may take less time.
Use tongs to move chicken to a plate. Serve and enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve with salad greens and rice pilaf or mashed cauliflower.
- I used my Instant Vortex air fryer*.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Try doubling this recipe and save half in the freezer for dinner another night. You can freeze the chicken in the marinade, if you’d like (ziplock bags* work great for this!). Or you can cook the chicken and then freeze it.
- This recipe is gluten free and dairy free.
- Other recipes you can make with lemon zest are skinny honey lemon chicken and Instant Pot lemon rice.
More Air Fryer Recipes…
Air Fryer Weeknight Meatballs
Use your air fryer or Instant Pot air fryer lid to make these super fast and easy meatballs!
Air Fryer Almost Chick Fil-A Chicken
Homemade chicken nuggets made in your air fryer. They are juicy and tender and really simple to make! They taste just as good as the restaurant.
Air Fryer Appalachian Mountain Chicken
An air fryer take on fried chicken…it’s crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. It’s everything you want in your fried chicken with way less fat and calories.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Passport Chicken
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A quick and easy air fryer or grilled chicken tenderloin recipe that has so much flavor from a simple marinade.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- 5 cloves of garlic, minced
- Juice and zest and one lemon
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 20 ounces chicken tenderloins
Instructions
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Whisk the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper together in a flat container (with a lid). Place the chicken in the marinade and spoon some of the marinade over the top. Cover the container and refrigerate overnight.
- Preheat air fryer at 400 degrees for 4 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with non-stick spray then add chicken in one layer (you may need to work in batches). Shake off excess marinade and discard. Air fry for 4 minutes, flip over and air fry for 3 more minutes. Use an instant read thermometer to see if the chicken is cooked through (they’re finished cooking when the internal temperature reaches 165 F.) Some thicker pieces may take longer while some thinner pieces may take less time.
- Use tongs to move chicken to a plate. Serve and enjoy!
Grill Instructions:
- Whisk the olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper together in a flat container (with a lid). Place the chicken in the marinade and spoon some of the marinade over the top. Cover the container and refrigerate overnight.
- When ready to grill, remove the chicken from the refrigerator. Preheat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan to medium heat (about 375 degrees F). Oil the grill, then place the chicken tenders on the grill in a single layer without overlapping them, shaking off any excess marinade (discard remaining marinade). Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until the juices run clear and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fryer or Grill
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
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