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A plate with Gluten Free Chicken Tenders with a small bowl of homemade Sweet and Sour dipping sauce.

Gluten Free Chicken Tenders Recipe


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  • Author: Nicole Charles
  • Total Time: 24 minutes
  • Yield: 18-20 chicken tenders 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These Gluten Free Chicken Tenders are perfectly crunchy on the outside and super juicy inside. Chicken strips are coated with seasoned plantain chips and oven baked or air fried until golden brown. No deep frying! Served with a homemade sweet and sour dipping sauce, these paleo chicken fingers are egg-free and AIP-friendly. A family favorite meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes!


Ingredients

Units Scale

Gluten Free Chicken Tenders

  • 1 lb chicken tenders (about 4 chicken breasts cut into strips)
  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 10 oz plantain chips, pulsed into crumbs (about 2 cups)
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp paprika (optional, omit for AIP)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder

Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce

  • 1/4 cup coconut aminos
  • 3 TBSP apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp unsweetened pineapple juice
  • 2 TBSP tomato sauce (or nomato sauce for AIP)
  • 3 TBSP coconut sugar
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 TBSP arrowroot starch + 1 TBSP water

Instructions

  1. To a large bowl, add pulsed plantain chip crumbs, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix well to combine.
  2. Add 1/3 of the gluten-free breading to a plate or shallow bowl.*
  3. Add the avocado oil to a shallow bowl.
  4. Lightly dredge one tender in the oil, shaking off excess oil.
  5. Dip the tender into the breading, applying gentle pressure to ensure crumbs stick to the chicken. Coat all sides with the crumbs. 
  6. Set aside on the wire rack (if oven-baking) or on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or plate (if air frying).
  7. Repeat the steps with the remaining chicken tenders, using up the remaining 2/3 of the gluten-free breading as you go. 

Oven Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place an oven-proof wire rack on top.
  2. Place the prepared chicken tenders on top of the wire rack, spacing them out so they aren’t crowded on the rack.
  3. Place in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 13-14 minutes, until golden brown and crisp, and internal temperature reads 165F. No flipping needed. 

Air Fryer Instructions

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400F. You do not need to coat the basket with oil since the breading and plantain chips contain oil.
  2. Place the prepared chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer, leaving some space between each piece to not overcrowd the basket. Work in batches as necessary. 
  3. Bake in the air fryer for 10 minutes, flipping each chicken tender with tongs at the 5 minute mark. Bake until golden brown and crispy, and internal temperature reads 165F. 

Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce

  1. To a small saucepan over medium heat, add coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, tomato sauce, pineapple juice, coconut sugar, and sea salt, and bring to a boil.
  2. Combine arrowroot starch with water and whisk into a slurry.
  3. Pour the slurry into the simmering sauce and use a whisk to combine. Whisk continuously until the sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat immediately.

Notes

The yield will vary depending on the size you cut your chicken tenders. 

*I suggest starting with 1/3 of the breading so that you keep it as dry as possible, since the oil will introduce moisture and can make it get soggy.  

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 14 minutes
  • Category: Appetizers, Snacks, Mains
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American