These Paleo Whole30 Chicken Tenders are easy and packed with flavor! A healthy version of a classic favorite- made gluten, dairy, grain free, and low carb.
Chicken tenders were probably my favorite food growing up. From age 10-15 I ordered them, guaranteed, at every restaurant. Now I'm not talking about fast food nuggets, I'm talking about strips of actual meat- not saying they are any healthier, but that's what I preferred. And to go along side them for dipping?? Honey...always! I got many weird looks requesting honey with my chicken.
Making Paleo Chicken Tenders has been on my to-do list and now I'm regretting waiting so long. Oh my gosh they are so good!! They are easy to make- don't be intimidated by the 3 step breading process. It's so quick and simple. They'll be in the oven in no time and then done in 15 minutes!
Make the breading station: choose 3 dishes that are flat bottomed and will fit the tenders. The coconut flour goes in the first bowl, then the eggs and milk, then the almond flour and spices. It will go- dry, wet, dry, sheet tray. So make sure that is ready. It is so simple and will go quickly once you have it laid out.
Here is what they look like once they have gone through the breading station and are ready to go in the oven.
They are perfect dipped in ketchup!
And the fact they are Whole30 as well seems almost too good to be true! I mean, you can't dip them in honey, but they are delicious without it. They are so good plain, but I admit, they are also good dipped in my Ranch! You will love how easy these are and they are also super kid friendly!
These are juicy, perfectly seasoned, and the breading is so good! You seriously can't tell it's healthy! I know I probably shouldn't say this, but this is my favorite thing I've made for my site. That's how much I love them! I hope you try them and love them as much as I do!
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Paleo Whole30 Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken preferably organic
- ⅓ cup coconut flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon almond milk
- 1 cup almond flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425° and line a sheet tray with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Get out 3 shallow, flat-bottomed dishes. This will be your breading station.
- Put the coconut flour in the first bowl.
- Crack the eggs in the second bowl and add the almond milk. Whisk until combined.
- Place the almond flour, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and cayenne in the third bowl. Mix until all the seasonings are well incorporated.
- Taking one strip at a time, dip it in the coconut flour and make sure it is fully coated. Then dip it in the egg mixture and let any extra drip off. Them dip it in the almond flour mixture and make sure it's fully coated with no wet spots showing.
- Place it on the sheet tray and repeat with remaining tenders.
- Spray with pure olive or coconut oil if you have it. This will help them brown.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then flip them over and bake for 5 more minutes.
- OPTIONAL: turn the oven to 500° and bake for an additional 5 minutes to brown the outside.
Whitney B says
My family enjoyed these. Nice and crispy! I used strips of boneless thighs, and they turned out great!
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying them, Whitney! So glad they were enjoyed!
Dannie says
I’m allergic to all nuts and therefore almond flour, sadly. Can I double dip these in coconut flour?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Dannie- yes, that will work. Enjoy!
Mama E says
Would LOVE to find a way to make these without the eggs. Kiddo has an allergy to egg and dairy. Any suggestions?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Mama E. You could try just using the almond flour mixture and really making sure it sticks well to the chicken. Chicken is kind of wet so it may work. Hope that helps!
Jenn says
For an egg substitute that works with coatings, you can try "flaxseed" eggs or the Ener-G egg replacer. Either one is egg free (and vegan, but that doesn't seem to be a concern if you're breading chicken with them, lol). 1 Tbsp ground flax seed with 3 Tbsp water = 1 egg.
Lisa D says
are there any nutritional stats on these anywhere?
I made them exactly but would like to know the calories/carbs/etc
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Lisa- I don't calculate nutritional facts, but you can use a site like My Fitness Pal to calculate it if you want.
Allison says
So I make these all the time and I love them. Have you or anyone had success in cooking these in an air fryer?
Jessica DeMay says
I'm so glad you love them, Allison! I don't have an air fryer, but I have seen others make them in there with success! I hope you try it!
Cat says
Do you have nutritional facts for this recipe?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Cat- I don't calculate nutritional info. You can use a site like My Fitness Pal if you need to know the info.
Ed says
I’ll give em a 9/10 on taste and a 6/10 on texture. Certainly... not bad... but not crisp.
That’s not a complaint, these are really great and should be a go-to.
Jessica DeMay says
Thanks for trying them, Ed! No, they're not crispy like deep fried ones, but I'm glad you still liked them. You can pan fry them if you want to get them crispier.
Squeaky says
I know I have reviewed these before but I just wanted to add that I made them in the cast iron, on the stove, in coconut oil and we liked them even better! Heated the pan in the oven at 450 until it's super hot, and while the fries were baking in the hot oven I did them about 3 minutes a side in the hot pan with coconut oil. Dipped in paleo ranch with some salad greens for me! (fries for the carb lovers)
Jessica DeMay says
I'm so glad you like them! Thanks for trying them and your method sounds amazing!
Christina says
What is the nutritional information for these?
Jessica DeMay says
Hi Christina- I don't calculate that, but you can use a site like My Fitness Pal to do it if you want. Hope you try them!
Sofia says
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RECIPE!!! My dad has given up grains until Easter so I thought I would make these as an alternative! Turns out they were PHENOMENAL - healthy or not! They were tender, moist and crunchy! My whole family loved them so much - my dad says it's one of his favorite chicken dishes now! And trust me,we know what tastes paleo and what doesn't. You cannot tell there is coconut or almond flour! I did have to use a lot more coconut and almond flour,but I think that's because I double coated some 😉 ! This will definitely be kept in the rotation even when my dad can eat grains again! Also, I highly recommend eating them with avocado mayo (avocados, mayo and spices).
Jessica DeMay says
You're welcome, Sofia! Thanks for trying them and I'm so happy your whole family loved them! 🙂 That mayo sounds delicious- great tip!