These Paleo Chicken Tenders are a healthy twist on a childhood favorite. They are coated in a crispy almond-flour and shredded-coconut breading and cooked in the air fryer, with oven instructions included. They’re paleo, Whole30-friendly, grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and can be adapted to be SCD-legal.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THESE CHICKEN TENDERS
- They have a fried-like crunch while being much healthier thanks to the air fryer.
- Crispy exterior with a moist, tender interior.
- Make a large batch for easy lunches and dinners throughout the week.
- Kid-friendly and simple to prepare.
- Grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and Whole30 compatible.
CAN I FREEZE THESE?
Yes. For best texture, freeze the coated chicken tenders raw. After dipping each strip in the egg and dredging in the almond and coconut mixture, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Properly stored, they keep up to 4 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking in the air fryer or oven.
WHAT TYPE OF DIPPING SAUCE SHOULD I SERVE WITH THEM
These tenders pair well with many sauces. Try ketchup, a paleo BBQ-style sauce, or a simple honey mustard made by stirring 1/4 cup Dijon mustard with 2 tablespoons honey. For a Whole30-friendly option, omit the honey and serve with compliant mayonnaise mixed with lemon and a pinch of smoked paprika.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THESE CHICKEN TENDERS?
They’re versatile. Serve with sweet potato fries, classic coleslaw, or a big green salad for a lighter meal. Leftovers are great in lettuce wraps, grain-free sandwiches, or atop a Caesar-style salad. Pair with roasted vegetables for a well-rounded dinner.
TIPS FOR MAKING THESE CHICKEN TENDERS
- When coating, use one hand for the egg (wet) and one hand for the almond-coconut mixture (dry). This keeps the coating from clumping on your fingers.
- Generously spray the coated tenders with cooking spray before cooking and again when flipping halfway through. This helps the coating crisp up beautifully.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Leave space between pieces so hot air circulates and produces an even crisp.
- If you want extra crunch, pulse the coconut and almond flour together briefly in a food processor to create a finer, more uniform coating.
SHOULD I USE CHICKEN TENDERS OR BREASTS?
Chicken tenders are small strips of dark-white meat attached to the underside of the breast. They’re naturally tender and often sold separately. If you can’t find tenders, use boneless skinless chicken breasts and slice each breast lengthwise into strips about 1/2 inch thick so they cook quickly and evenly.
HOW TO MAKE THESE PALEO CHICKEN TENDERS SCD LEGAL
To make the recipe compliant with the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), omit the onion powder and garlic powder unless you are certain your brand is SCD-approved. Many powdered seasonings contain anti-caking or binding agents that are not allowed on SCD.
CAN I BAKE THESE IN THE OVEN?
If you don’t have an air fryer, bake them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet so air can circulate underneath. Spray the tenders well with cooking spray and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, flipping and re-spraying halfway, until golden and cooked through.
CAN I MAKE THESE IN ADVANCE
You can coat the tenders in the almond-coconut mixture up to 48 hours ahead and keep them refrigerated. For best crispness, cook them in the air fryer just before serving. If you prepare batches in advance, freeze uncooked coated tenders and cook from thawed.
WHAT ABOUT LEFTOVERS
Store leftover tenders in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat briefly in the air fryer for a couple of minutes or in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness without drying out the chicken.
More chicken recipes you might enjoy
- Firecracker Chicken
- Sesame Lemon Chicken
- Balsamic Chicken with Figs
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Chicken
- Korean Air Fried Chicken
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and share your experience. You can also tag @everylastbite_ on social media if you post a photo — I love seeing your creations!
Paleo Chicken Tenders — Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp onion powder (optional)
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 lb chicken breasts or 1 lb chicken tenders
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow bowl, combine the almond flour, shredded coconut, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder.
- If using chicken breasts, slice each breast into 1/2-inch thick strips.
- Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl and whisk until combined.
- Dip each chicken strip into the egg, then dredge in the almond-coconut mixture, pressing lightly so the coating adheres. Place coated tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket; you may need to cook in batches.
- Spray the tenders generously with cooking spray. Air fry at 400°F for 6 minutes, flip, spray again, and air fry for an additional 3 minutes, or until golden and cooked through. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Remove and let rest briefly before serving. Repeat with remaining tenders.
