Gluten Free Chicken Tenders
These gluten free chicken tenders are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! This quick and easy recipe is the perfect family weeknight dinner. This recipe comes together in about 20 minutes and can be air fried or baked. It is simple, healthy, and so flavorful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- These gluten free chicken tenders have the best texture!
- The breading is crispy and golden.
- The chicken is juicy and tender.
- This recipe is great for family dinners and picky eaters.
- Serve with any dipping sauce!
- For a filling side dish, try these Green Beans and Potatoes.
- This chicken is great for meal prep and leftovers.
- Eat the chicken by itself, with French fries, on top of salads, or in wraps.
- As written, this recipe is Whole30 compliant, Paleo, gluten free, grain free, dairy free, sugar free, Keto and low carb.
- Check out these Whole30 Chicken Tenders for another delicious dinner.
Ingredients & Substitutions
These are the main ingredients and substitutions for this gluten free chicken tenders recipe. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and instructions.
For best results, use fresh chicken. If using frozen, thaw before use. Both chicken breasts and chicken tenderloins work well. Pound chicken into ½ inch thickness. Slice chicken into evenly sized tenders.
The egg helps the gluten free breading stick. Almond flour is the main ingredient in the coating. It adds a great nutty and hearty flavor. While you may be inclined to use another gluten free flour as a substitute, I would recommend sticking to the almond flour to make the perfect crispy gluten free chicken tenders.
The combination of spices keeps these chicken fingers super flavorful. They are not spicy, but omit paprika for a more mild flavor. Feel free to add more or less seasonings to suit your taste preference.
Taste & Texture
These gluten free chicken tenders are hearty and savory. They will remind you of your childhood!
The breading is crispy and golden. In addition, the meat is tender and juicy. This chicken is not dry or bland. For deeper fried, make this Gluten Free Fried Chicken!
Making Chicken Tenders in the Air Fryer
Making Air Fryer chicken tenders is super easy. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
Step 1
First, slice chicken breasts into tenders. Pound chicken down to ½ inch thickness. Meanwhile, preheat your Air Fryer.
Step 2
In a shallow bowl, add egg and whisk. Set aside. In another shallow bowl, combine almond flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Step 3
Carefully add the chicken tenders into the egg mixture. Shake off excess egg. Then, dip into the dry mixture. Place in the Air Fryer basket. Do not overlap chicken. Lightly spray chicken tenders with nonstick spray.
Step 4
Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. The chicken should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Finally, remove from the Air Fryer and serve.
Oven Baked Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders
Step 1
First, preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice chicken breasts into tenders. Then, pound chicken down to ½ inch thickness.
Step 2
In a shallow bowl, add egg and whisk. Set aside. In another shallow bowl, combine almond flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Step 3
Carefully dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture. Then, shake off excess egg. Dip into the dry mixture. Place on baking pan. Do not overlap chicken. Next, lightly spray chicken tenders with nonstick spray.
Step 4
Bake the chicken tenders at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes or until they turn golden brown. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Lastly, remove from the oven and serve.
Expert Tips & Tricks
For best results, use high quality skinless chicken. If possible, buy organic free range chicken.
Pound meat to ½ inch thick. This creates evenly sized, tender chicken strips. If you do not have a meat pounder, use the bottom of a mug.
Slice chicken tenders into equal sized pieces.Use shallow bowls for the egg wash and the dry mixture. It makes coating the chicken so much easier. You can also choose to dredge the chicken in some seasoned flour if you want to.
Make sure the chicken is fully coated in egg. Moreover, fully coat in the dry mixture too.
Use a meat thermometer to measure chicken. Chicken is considered cooked at 165 degrees Fahrenheit
Using a large Air Fryer makes sense if you’re planning to make these gluten free chicken tenders in a big batch. You can experiment with the chicken marinade based on your personal preference. I love the idea of adding some of my gluten free Cajun seasoning into the mix while making these homemade chicken tenders.
Where to Buy
Although homemade is more flavorful, there are some store bought gluten free chicken tenders.
Applegate makes a great gluten free version.
Perdue Simply Smart produces gluten free breaded chicken.
Tyson Naturals makes gluten free chicken breast strips.
Sprouts makes their own version of gluten free chicken strips.
Caulipower makes gluten free chicken tenders using rice flour and dried cauliflower.
As always, double check labels and nutrition labels for all store bought products.
How to Serve the Gluten Free Chicken Tenders
These gluten free chicken tenders are best served hot and fresh! They are most crispy right after making.
Serve with homemade French fries, air fryer sweet potato cubes, or a side salad.
They are great with ketchup, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce or your favorite condiment or dipping sauce.
Storing the Leftovers
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, pop the gluten-free chicken strips in the Air Fryer. Fry at 300 degrees for 4 to 5 minutes or until warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure! Cook in a drizzle of olive oil. Try to limit the number of times you flip the chicken tenders, otherwise the breading will start to come off.
Normally, chicken tenders are not gluten free. They usually contain flour in their breading.
Tyson does make a gluten free version!
Yes, Perdue makes a gluten free product.
You May Also Like
- Crispy Air Fryer Diced Potatoes
- Air Fryer Ribeye Steak
- Instant Pot Whole Chicken
- Whole30 Chicken Wings
- Dairy Free Buffalo Chicken Dip
If you make this gluten free chicken finger recipe, I would really appreciate a review! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I would love for you to follow along! For more ideas, check out these Gluten Free Recipes.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, sliced into tenders
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup almond flour
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
Air Fryer Method
- First, slice chicken breasts into tenders. Pound chicken down to ½ inch thickness.
- In a shallow bowl, add egg and whisk. Set aside. In another shallow bowl, combine almond flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Carefully dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture. Shake off excess egg. Then dip into the dry mixture. Place in air fryer basket. Do not overlap chicken. Lightly spray chicken tenders with nonstick spray.
- Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally. Remove from air fryer and serve.
Oven Method
- First, preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice chicken breasts into tenders. Pound chicken down to ½ inch thickness.
- In a shallow bowl, add egg and whisk. Set aside. In another shallow bowl, combine almond flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Carefully dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture. Shake off excess egg. Then dip into the dry mixture. Place on baking pan. Do not overlap chicken. Lightly spray chicken tenders with nonstick spray.
- Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes. Chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally. Remove from oven and serve.
Notes
- Use fresh chicken, not frozen. If you only have frozen, allow it to thaw before making this recipe.
- Pound chicken to ½ inch thick. This creates evenly sized chicken tenders and makes the chicken more tender.
- I do not recommend substituting for the almond flour. It really adds a great flavor and texture.
- Feel free to adjust seasonings and spices to your preference.
- My air fryer does not require preheating. If yours does, preheat before making.
- Since all air fryers are different, yours may need slightly more or less time.
- Chicken is done cooking when it has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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