Paleo Chicken Tenders (Whole30, Keto)

Paleo Chicken Tenders are quick and crispy in the air fryer! These homemade chicken tenders are coated in a seasoned almond flour and a little egg for an easy, delicious lunch or dinner in just 10 minutes!

Why You’ll Love this recipe

• These homemade almond flour chicken tenders are super easy to make in just 10 minutes! Serve them with your favorite Whole30 ketchup or dipping sauce for a great protein-packed lunch, after school snack (kid-friendly), or easy weeknight dinner.
• The blend of spices mixed into the gluten-free almond flour takes these paleo chicken strips from basic to deliciously crispy on the outside and tender juicy on the inside–just like your favorite restaurant-style chicken tenders!
• Made with simple, healthy ingredients that make this recipe Whole30 compliant, Paleo friendly, Keto friendly, and Gluten Free

Ingredients:

This chicken tender recipe is both simple and easy. I wanted to keep the ingredients minimal, while still making a crispy, restaurant-style chicken strip (that’s made with healthy ingredients!) Check out everything you need below!

• Boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins: 1 pound of chicken tenders serves about 3 people (each getting 2 chicken tenders). If you’re like my family, this is not enough. I recommend doubling the recipe if you plan to serve more than 2 people. If you can’t find chicken tenders at the store, you can sub with chicken breast and slice them into strips.
• Italian seasoning
• Other seasonings: paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and pepper. Feel free to experiment with other seasonings here. Dill, and parsley would be a good addition for a spicy ranch vibe.
• Almond flour: used for the breading along with a seasoning mix. Almond meal would work here too. I used Bob’s Mill Super Fine Almond Flour.
• Egg: used as the binder to help the breading stick to the chicken.

Recipe Steps

Here’s a list of tips and tricks to make the perfect almond flour chicken tenders every time! For the full list of steps and measurements, check out the recipe card below!

1. First, whisk the almond flour and all the spices together. We’ll use these later. Then, in a second bowl, whisk the egg.
2. Now, using tongs or clean hands, dip each tender into the egg, then coat every side with seasoned almond flour.
3. Time to cook! Spray your air fryer basket (or tray!) with a little neutral oil to keep them from sticking. Lay your gluten free chicken tenders in an even layer with a little space on all sides. You may have to work in batches.
4. Finally, air fry the tenders until they’re fully cooked inside (165 degrees) and crispy on the outside. Garnish with a little parsley and serve with your favorite dipping sauce!

FAQs

How Do You Make Chicken Tenders Crispy?

No one wants a soggy chicken tender. Luckily, with the help of the air fryer, it’s easy to make these paleo chicken tenders super crispy in just 10 minutes!

When cooking your chicken strips, be sure to not overlap the tenders. If you do, they won’t be as crispy. In my Ninja Air Fryer I can fit 3 chicken tenders in the basket at a time without overlapping.

If you want to keep the cooked tenders warm while the others are cooking, pop them in a warm oven or tent them loosely with foil.

What to Serve with Chicken Tenders?

When you’re serving a simple main dish like chicken tenders, there’s no limit to what you can add as a side dish!

For a dip use the classic ketchup (love Primal Kitchen’s Unsweetened Ketchup), my Homemade Whole30 BBQ sauce, or my 5-minute Avocado Ranch Dressing.

I like to balance my protein dishes with plenty of veggies. The tenders are perfect when cut into strips and served over a mixed green salad drizzled with ranch or paired with roasted veggies.

And of course I like to eat my chicken strips with fries. Air fryer sweet potato or russet potato fries pair perfectly and is a restaurant inspired meal that you can eat at home!

Storing and Reheating

Store chicken tenders in an air-tight glass container in the fridge for 3-5 days. To reheat, simply use the ‘reheat’ setting on your air fryer. Set temperature to 390 and reheat for 2-5 minutes. You don’t want to cook the tenders too long, because they will dry up and become less tender.

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:

• Instant Pot White Chicken Chili (Whole30, Paleo)
• Spicy Chicken Zucchini Poppers (Whole30, Paleo)
• Spinach Artichoke Spaghetti Squash Boats with Chicken (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
• Creamy Pesto Chicken Skillet (Paleo, Whole30)

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