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Fast food, step aside. When you can make Baked Paleo Chicken Tenders that are this good, there’s no going back. These gluten-free, Whole30 crispy tenders are made with shredded coconut, almond flour, and more!
The best homemade chicken tender recipe you’ll ever try
You guys, these baked paleo chicken tenders may just be the most delicious pieces of chicken that I’ve ever tried! Golden, crispy perfection on the outside with a perfectly cooked, juicy middle. If you’re a chicken tender or chicken finger type of person, you are so going to love these!
Last week I found myself with a serious chicken finger craving. But, I knew regular homemade recipes weren’t going to cut it – I was craving the real, bad-for-you-but-so-delicious fast food version! But instead of going out and indulging, I decided that I would just have to get creative to make a homemade version better than I’ve ever made before.
The end result turned out to be a healthier, gluten-free homemade chicken tender recipe that’s coated in a crispy almond flour and coconut crust! Those ingredients, along with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper create the most delicious breading.
Serve ’em up with your favorite sauce, and you’re in for a treat! I used a big bowl of ketchup, but they’re also tasty when tossed in buffalo sauce and served with blue cheese or ranch.
Ingredients in these chicken tenders
The best part about these chicken tenders is that the ingredient list is super simple and super delicious. Seriously, take a look at what’s included!
- Chicken tenders: Grab 2 lbs of chicken and slice into your desired sizes.
- Almond flour: For the breading, we’ll use 1/2 cup of almond flour as the main ingredient.
- Coconut: Next up, we’re using 1/2 cup of desiccated (dried) coconut. It needs to be in very small pieces, so pulse flakes in a food processor until fine.
- Egg: We’ll use 1 egg to help with the breading.
- Salt: For salt, use just 1/2 tsp.
- Pepper: Likewise, you’ll need 1/2 tsp of pepper.
- Garlic powder: For garlic, 1/2 tsp will also work, though you can add more if desired.
- Paprika: I love to add smoked paprika! 1 tsp is the perfect amount.
- Cayenne pepper: Finally, add 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper, opting for more if you want more spice.
Tools you’ll need to make baked paleo chicken tenders
These little chicken tenders are baked in the oven, which means there’s no need to deal with the mess of cleaning up a frying pan! The outsides will get super crispy as if they had been fried, and the inside will stay perfectly tender and moist. It’s the perfect combo!
For this recipe you’ll need the following tools:
- Cutting board and knife (for the chicken)
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Two small mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Stirring utensil
- Measuring cups: 1/4 tsp, 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp, 1/2 cup
How to make baked paleo chicken tenders
Think baked chicken is boring? Think again. When you see just how delicious these tenders are (and with such little prep work), you’ll be amazed! Here’s how it’s done:
To begin, preheat the oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Wash the chicken and pat it dry.
Then, in a small bowl, whisk the egg and set aside.
In another small bowl, mix the almond flour, coconut, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne.
Dip a chicken tender into the egg, letting any extra drip off. Then, place it in the flour bowl.
Press the chicken down so that it’s completed covered, flipping and pressing it several times to ensure that it is fully coated.
Place it on a baking sheet and repeat with the rest of the chicken.
Once finished dredging, sprinkle a bit more of the flour mixture on top of each tender.
Bake for 15-17 minutes and then broil for 2-3 more to get a crispy crush. Depending on the size of the chicken, this timeframe may range. As long as the internal temperature reaches at least 160F, you’re good to go.
Sprinkle the tenders with parsley as a garnish (optional) and serve immediately.
Dip in your favorite sauces, and enjoy!
Storing and reheating
These chicken tenders can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep them fresh in a tightly sealed container.
When it’s time to reheat, I recommend doing so in an air fryer or oven to keep them crispy.
Can’t get enough chicken? Try these!
I must agree: chicken recipes are the best! Between the great source of lean protein, the versatility, and the sauce dipping options, I’m a multiple-chicken-dinners-a-week kind of gal. Below are some of my favorites that I know you’ll enjoy!
- Lemon Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
- Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup (Dairy-Free)
- Easy White Chicken Chili Recipe (Stovetop or Crockpot)
- Healthy Chicken Nuggets (Baked and Air Fried)
- Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Casserole
Baked Paleo Chicken Tenders
Fast food, step aside. When you can make Baked Paleo Chicken Tenders that are this good, there’s no going back. These gluten-free, Whole30 crispy tenders are made with shredded coconut, almond flour, and more!
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup dessicated coconut (very small pieces, if you only have flakes, run them through food processor)
- 1 egg
- 1/2Â tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika (I used smoked paprika)
- 1/4 tsp cayenne powder (or more if want more spice)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Wash and pat dry chicken.
- In a small bowl, whisk egg. Set aside for now.
- In another small bowl, mix together almond flour, coconut, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne.
- Dip a chicken tender in the egg mixture, letting an extra egg drip off, then placing into flour bowl.
- Press down on tender to completely cover, flipping and pressing several times to make sure each tender is fully covered.
- Line on baking sheet and once finished dredging, sprinkling a little bit more of the flour mixture onto each one.
- Bake for 15-17 minutes and then broil for 2-3 more minutes to get a crispy crust. Dependent on your tender size, this time may range. Internal chicken temperature should be 160F or higher.
- Sprinkle with parsley for garnish (optional) and serve immediately.
- Store in fridge and heat up via air fryer or oven for crispiness.
There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂
Allison says
Super delicious and easy to make! I didn’t have coconut so I subbed grated parmesan instead and it worked beautifully. I also added some hot sauce to the egg for a little extra spice 🙂 thank you for sharing!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Allison, so glad you loved them and made them your own!!
Hannah says
My siblings and I love these! The flavor is great and the coconut gives it a nice twist!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Hannah, so glad they’re a hit!!
Faith Simon says
Another perfect weeknight recipe! I make a honey mustard to go with them sometimes as well and they always crisp up perfectly
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Faith, so glad you love them and great addition!
Peach says
I love this recipe so much! I’ve been making this chicken weekly and it’s one of my favorites.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Peach, so glad you loved them!!
Suzanne says
Made these today, my son is trying to hide from the carbs and he absolutely loved these tenders, thanks.
Erin says
Hi Suzanne, I am so glad you both enjoyed them!!
Sheryl says
Hi Erin,
Is the coconut you used sweetened of unsweetened?
Thanks
Erin says
Hi Sheryl, I used unsweetened! Let me know how yours come out!!
Lindsey says
Love these and they work despite all of my family’s food sensitivities. And my toddler will eat them so win all around! These are a staple in our household. Thanks!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Lindsey, I am so glad you and your family enjoyed them!
Brooke says
Hi Erin! So excited to make these tonight. I only have all purpose flour on hand. Is it ok to sub that for the almond flour?
Erin says
Hi Brooke, yes that should be fine. How did they come out?
Ilana says
These are my absolute favorite! I added a little extra hot paprika because I really like a nice kick. Me and my husband both love these and fight over leftovers lol
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Ilana, ah that sounds so good!!
Kim Sheehy says
Can you clarify serving size? Is your nutritional info for one tender? Thank you
Erin says
Hi Kim, thanks for your comment. It is now updated!
Matt says
Can these be made in the air fryer or is it better to use the oven?
Erin says
Hi Matt, I haven’t tried them in the air fryer yet, but it should work. Let me know how they come out!
restaurantthatdeliversnearme.website says
Good blog post.
Erin says
Hi! Thank you so much!!
Dishesdeli says
Thanks for sharing this great recipe
Erin says
Hi Dishesdeli, you’re welcome! Let me know how they turn out for you! 🙂
Erin says
These are AMAZING, I honestly don’t think that I’ve ever reviewed a recipe on a blog before but these are seriously note worthy, and husband approved! He thought they were from a box! I love these and I’m making them for the second time with plans to freeze some to have as a quick “junk food” or last minute dinner. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Erin! I’m thrilled you and your husband enjoyed them! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review and for your support! 🙂
Nicole Santos says
So fast and easy to make! My picky 3yo loves them too! 🙂
Erin says
Hi Nicole, I am so happy you both enjoyed them so much!!
Lisa says
Wondering if these could be frozen after preparing to be cooked later?
Erin says
i think it would work just fine!
Tanya says
Can you make this without the coconut and just use extra almond flour in its place?
Erin says
Absolutely!
Gabby says
Just made these for dinner and they turned out so well! I loved that they really satisfied my chicken finger craving but they were healthy!
★★★★★
Erin says
Thanks for sharing Gabby! So glad you liked them!
Eliza says
DELICIOUS! and so easy to throw together.
★★★★★
Erin says
so glad you like them Eliza!! 🙂
Katelyn says
Is there a replacement for the coconut? I cannot stand the taste or texture of coconut. period!
Erin says
Breadcrumbs!! They will have the same effect 🙂
Jennifer says
I cannot have coconut or breadcrumbs. Do they need to be added? Can I make them without?
Jennifer says
Can you taste the coconut?
Erin says
Hi Jennifer, you can omit the coconut, but you need breadcrumbs to give a texture on the outside or else there will be no breading.
Tom says
Love the broil at the end. Makes them so crispy and takes me back to childhood chicken fingers. These are my new staple!
★★★★★