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Crispy Paleo Chicken Tenders Recipe (Whole 30)

This is an easy recipe for Paleo chicken tenders – enjoy as a main or as a finger food. You’ll love the delicious, crunchy coating! These whole 30 chicken strips are high in protein and healthy fats, low in net carbs. Great for keto too.

Scroll to the bottom of the post to get the recipe card.

Crispy Paleo Chicken Tenders Recipe (Whole 30)

Maybe you’ve recently started the paleo or Whole 30 “lifestyle” and feel like you have to give up everything you’ve ever enjoyed. Which, I assure you, is normal. I recently got diagnosed with adrenal fatigue and my diet has had a complete overhaul.

Instead of crying over the loss of some favorites, I’ve been trying to work my way around the sorrow by making some recipes that are paleo and Whole 30 compliant. A perfect example of one of these recipes is my paleo chicken tenders.

Almond Flour Chicken Tenders

These paleo chicken strips are crispy, crunchy, and just plain delicious! You’re not going to feel deprived at all – trust me. So grab some almond meal (Bob’s Red Mill is my favorite) and get cooking.

How to Make Chicken Strips

Chicken strips are one of my favorite ways to get lots of protein! The nice thing about this recipe is that you’ll get even more protein than standard issue chicken because of the almond meal, which is crispy and tasty. They are SO easy to make.

You simply mix almond meal and some spices together. Then you’ll dip the chicken into some egg and dredge it through the almond meal seasoning mix. Put said chicken tenders on a baking sheet, and you’ll be ready to go in a short amount of time. Perfect for quick weeknight meal.

Whole 30 chicken tenders

Whole 30 Chicken Tenders

This recipe is completely Whole 30 and paleo compliant, thanks to the use of the almond meal. Another thing I love about this dish is that it reminds me of chicken fingers when I was little (squee!).

Which means, your kids are going to love them too. They will likely have no idea that you’re using almond meal because of how crispy, crunchy, and good these are.

Serve these whole 30 chicken tenders with some sweet potato wedges on the side for a “chicken fingers and fries” meal that actually meets your nutrition goals. Oh, and need something to dip your paleo chicken tenders into? Try this Primal Kitchen ranch dressing. It’s delicious.

Weight Watchers Friendly

One last note on these Whole 30 chicken tenders. These happen to be great for the Weight Watchers Freestyle program too! It can be hard to go on a diet/start a new lifestyle and not be able to eat some of your favorites.

One serving of these tenders on Freestyle is 6 points – however, you will need to reduce the coconut oil to 1/2 T instead of the full T. But you get to experience the crispy crunchy deliciousness without blowing it. I love that, don’t you?

Are you ready to get this recipe for delicious – and easy – Whole 30 chicken tenders? Keep reading!

Paleo chicken strips on a plate

Paleo Chicken Fingers

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breast tenders (free range preferred)
  • 1 T coconut oil, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 egg, whisked with 1 teaspoon water
  • 2 T lemon juice (1/2 a lemon)
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Seasoning Mix

  • 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 1 T parsley (fresh, finely chopped and packed)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Use a little coconut oil to grease a cookie sheet.

Raw chicken pieces in a bowl with lemon juice and seasoning

Toss the chicken with lemon juice, remaining coconut oil, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste), 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon paprika, and 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder.

In a bowl, combine almond meal and remaining spices along with a little salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Easy recipe for whole 30 chicken fingers

Dip the chicken strips in the whisked egg and coat in the seasoned almond meal. Shake off the excess and arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepped cookie sheet.

Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes till done. Turn once halfway through the baking process.

Serve your whole 30 chicken tenders while still hot. Refrigerate leftovers.

Whole 30 chicken strips on a plate
Yield: 2 servings

Paleo Chicken Tenders

Whole 30 chicken strips on a plate

This is an easy recipe for Paleo chicken tenders - enjoy as a main or as a finger food. You'll love the delicious, crunchy coating! These whole 30 chicken strips are high in protein and healthy fats, low in net carbs. Great for keto too.

Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breast tenders, (free range preferred)
  • 1 T coconut oil, melted
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 egg(s), whisked with 1 tsp water
  • 2 T lemon juice
  • 1 pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Seasoning Mix

  • 1/2 cup almond flour
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 T parsley, (finely chopped and packed)
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 pinch salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Use a little coconut oil to grease a cookie sheet.
  2. Toss the chicken tenders with lemon juice, remaining coconut oil, salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste), 1/2 tsp oregano, 1 tsp paprika, and 3/4 tsp garlic powder.
  3. In a bowl, combine almond meal and spices (listed under Seasoning Mix) along with a little salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  4. Dip the chicken strips in the whisked egg/water, then coat in the seasoned almond meal. Shake off the excess and arrange the chicken in a single layer on the prepped cookie sheet.
  5. Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes until done. Turn once halfway through the baking process.
  6. Serve while still hot. Refrigerate leftovers.

Notes

I've calculated this recipe as two servings, or 1/2 lb. chicken per person. If you have folks that are lighter eaters, this will definitely serve three!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

2

Serving Size:

1 serving

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 525Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 226mgSodium: 336mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 4gSugar: 1gProtein: 57g

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For other Whole 30 compliant recipes like these paleo chicken tenders, visit the posts below:

Kimberly Freedman

Sunday 14th of April 2019

I found this recipe but was unclear to calories and servings. At the top it states 2 servings..525 calories and then at the bottom it states 1 serving and then gives the calories as 525--I am doing WW so unsure of which would be correct for calories etc. for one serving and what the portion is for that? Thank you so much, Kim

Amy

Monday 15th of April 2019

Hi Kimberly! I see what you're saying - the recipe card makes it confusing (going to look into that). 1 serving is 525 calories, and there are two servings if you make it the way I did :) The nutrition info at the bottom is for one serving.

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