This delicious Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe is easily whipped up in the air fryer and perfect for busy weeknights! Succulent chicken tenders in a zesty coating – simply delicious!
A Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe that’s on the table in 20 mins? Yes please! This easy chicken dish was made for the air fryer, serving up tender chicken pieces in the most lip smacking lemon coating, serve up with your favorite sides for a protein packed meal.
Looking for other, delicious chicken recipes? Why not also try my Asparagus Stuffed Chicken and my Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders! Or if you want another air fryer recipe, try my Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs.
Why you’ll love this Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe
- Perfectly seasoned chicken. Coated with lemon, pepper, garlic and paprika, these chicken tenders are packed with flavor.
- Air fryer chicken. Less grease, melt in the mouth, with a crispy tinged exterior – so good!
- An easy chicken recipe. Only a handful of pantry staples needed, this is on the table in 20 mins!
Ingredients you’ll need
- Chicken Tenders
- Lemon Juice
- Seasoning: paprika, oregano, slat, pepper, garlic.
- Olive Oil
How to make this Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe
- Marinate the chicken – Mix your marinade ingredients in a bowl and marinate your chicken.
- Air fry – Line the tenders the air fryer and cook for 6-8 mins.
- Allow to rest, serve and enjoy!
Recipe notes and tips
- Be sure to use a pre heated air fryer.
- You’ll want to trim any film off the tenders.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you made need to do multiple batches and make sure your tenders don’t overlap.
- Use an instant read thermometer for accurate cooking. Internal temperature should be 165 degrees.
- Garnish with some fresh parsley or cilantro.
FAQ’s
Is air frying healthier than traditional frying?
Air frying is healthier than traditional methods of frying because only a thin layer of oil coats the food and when the hot air comes in contact it will cook, crisping up. This saves you fat and calories because food is not being submerged in a vat of hot oil. The best part? All that flavor is retained!
What to serve with this Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe
This easy chicken recipe goes well with all kinds of sides, you can go light with a side salad or amp it up with noodles or potatoes. Here’s some ideas:
- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Garlic Butter Mushrooms
- Easy Green Bean Casserole
- Mexican Street Corn Salad
Which cut of chicken is best?
For this Lemon Chicken Pepper recipe I used chicken tenderloins, they’re quick and easy. However you can use any cut of chicken you like but you will have to adjust the cook time according to the cut. To check doneness use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the chicken, it needs to read at 165F.
Yes you can replace these seasonings with Lemon Pepper seasoning if you like, but still use the fresh lemon juice and olive oil.
Lemon pepper seasoning is made from a combination of dried lemon zest, black pepper, and salt.
I use chicken tenderloin, but you can use chicken thighs or breasts. Please note that the cook time will differ for different cuts of chicken.
Other easy chicken recipes
- Creamy Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe
- Amazing Jalapeño Popper Chicken
- Crispy Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Bruschetta Stuffed Chicken
I hope you enjoy all the recipes I share with you, including this Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken recipe. I hope you try it, enjoy it, rate it and share it with your friends and family!
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Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. chicken tenders film skin and tender muscle removed
- 3/4 tsp. black pepper fresh ground, more or less
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 2 tbsps. olive oil
- 3/4 tsp. oregano dry
- 3/4 tsp. salt more if need
- 4 cloves garlic minced
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 390 F.
- Clean and trim the chicken tenders. Place in a bowl and marinate with the remainder of the ingredients.
- Line the tenders in the preheated air fryer without overlapping them. You will need to do them in 2-3 batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
- Cook the tenders in the air fryer for 6-8 minutes. (cooking time depends on their size). Use an instant read thermometer for accurate cooking. Internal temperature should be 165 degrees.
- When cooked, wrap with aluminum foil and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with some fresh chopped parsley and serve.
Video
Notes
- Be sure to use a pre heated air fryer.
- You’ll want to trim any film off the tenders.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you made need to do multiple batches and make sure your tenders don’t overlap.
- Use an instant read thermometer for accurate cooking. Internal temperature should be 165 degrees.
- Garnish with some fresh parsley or cilantro.
I made this last night and loved it. It was so delicious. I’ll definitely make it again. Thank you so much for this recipe.
Hi Alice,
Glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for the review!
How long should the chicken be marinaded? I tried it and found it wasn’t as flavorful as I’d hoped and thought maybe that was the issue.
There is quite a bit of seasoning in this, but if you like it more bold, you can always add more seasoning to it. If time permits, marinate the chicken for 1 hour before cooking.
It was very tasty. I will definitely make it again.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review.
My husband and I eat a keto diet and I was looking for something different to make for supper. I saw this recipe and decided to make it. OH. MY. GOODNESS. It was absolutely delicious!
Glad this recipe worked out well for you. Thanks for leaving a review.
Paired this with lemon ricotta pasta and an oven roasted lemon broccolini. Simple, easy and delicious.
Happy You enjoyed it Kelli!
I don’t cook much at all. I have no patience. This recipe was sooo easy and delicious. When I say easy I do mean easy and delicious! I will be making these again.
Alda,
So happy to hear this recipe worked well for you. Thanks for leaving a review.
I don’t have an air fry yet, how long would you recommend cooking this in an oven and on what degree ?
Chicken tenders would need about 17-20 minutes on a preheated 400F oven depending on their size. You can use a cooking thermometer to check the internal temperature. Ideally it should be around 160-165 F.
I’m not sure that I’ve ever done such a simple chicken recipe, but I couldn’t believe how flavorful this was. I don’t use pre-made lemon pepper seasonings, but I love cooking with lemon so it was perfect for me.
I used thin-cut chicken breast and let it marinate for about an hour before cooking. I’ll be making it again for sure.
So happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for the review Sarah!
I made this recipe tonight for the first time since I don’t have any lemon pepper seasoning at home. This was way better than using plain old lemon pepper seasoning! Very flavorful and zesty. We dipped it in honey and it was so delicious as it compliments the acidity well. My husband loves it so much that he wants me to make it again tomorrow!
Hi Juliet!
So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks so much for leaving a review.