These Whole30 and Paleo air fryer chicken tenders are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle. They’re a healthy, low carb and gluten-free version of the classic chicken strips you can get at any restaurant. They’re flavorful, only take a few simple ingredients and 12 minutes to cook! They’re something the whole family will love and you’ll feel great after eating!
There’s so many uses for these air fryer chicken tenders, beyond just dipping them of course! I love using the leftovers on Whole30 or Paleo lettuce wraps, cut up into salads or even added to stuffed baked potatoes. You can also coat them once they’ve finished cooking in BBQ sauce or buffalo sauce. Which are also my favorite for dipping! My favorites are either Frank’s Red Hot for buffalo, or Primal Kitchen’s Whole30 and sugar-free BBQ sauce. You can find that on Thrive Market, Amazon or on their website (code PALEOBAILEY saves you 10% at checkout.)
When it comes to air fryers, they are all pretty uniform in terms of temperatures and cook times, however, some do vary slightly. You might need a few more minutes cook time for crispier chicken tenders. You’ll be able to gauge that better once you flip them halfway through! The important thing for a more uniform end result is to make sure you’re only cooking the chicken tenders in a single layer.
This requires two batches, unless you have a large air fryer, but I promise it’s well worth it! While we’re on the topic of air fryers, if you have a friend you need to get a gift for, let me tell you.. an air fryer is a great idea! I say that because I was given my air fryer as a housewarming gift and I love, love, love it. We use it all of the time. It’s especially been great (and easy enough) for my fiancé, who doesn’t “cook”, but uses our air fryer for everything. From veggies to pork chops. He’s obsessed.
Check out my list of 30 paleo and Whole30 air fryer recipes!
For the chicken tenders, you’ll only need a handful of spices, some almond flour and eggs for an egg wash. You’ll start by patting the chicken tenders dry and then dipping them into the egg wash. From there, just coat each of them with the almond flour and seasoning mixture. Into the air fryer they’ll go! With a quick flip halfway through, 12 minutes later you’ll have a much healthier, totally Whole30 version of this classic fast food meal.
I use chicken tenders specifically for this recipe, which taste exactly the same as chicken breast meat does. If you don’t have that option in stores near you, you can make your own from chicken breasts. Simply put a chicken breast on the cutting board, press your palm against the top of it and run your knife through the middle of the breast, cutting it in half. From there, you can cut each half lengthwise and have 4 tenders!
Grab my favorite Whole30 and Paleo ketchup and BBQ sauce for dipping here! (Code PALEOBAILEY saves you 10% at checkout!) Or as part of the Whole Kitchen Sink pantry staples bundle (with a free dairy-free alfredo sauce + free shipping!)
Other Whole30 Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:
Lemon Chicken & Veggie Skillet
PrintAir Fryer Chicken Tenders: Paleo, Whole30, Low Carb, Gluten-Free with Oven Instructions
These Whole30 and Paleo air fryer chicken tenders are perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle. They’re a healthy, gluten-free version of the classic chicken strips you can get at any restaurant. They’re flavorful, only take a few simple ingredients and 12 minutes to cook! They’re something the whole family will love and you’ll feel great after eating!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- Avocado oil or olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees. Pat the chicken tenders dry and set aside.
- In a shallow bowl, beat eggs.
- In an additional shallow bowl, combine almond flour with all spices and baking powder.
- With each chicken tender, first dip into the egg wash and then transfer to the almond flour mixture and coat all sides.
- Place each chicken tender into the air fryer basket in a single layer (will require two rounds of cooking).
- Spray the top of the chicken tenders in the basket lightly with oil, and then set the timer for 12 minutes.
- Flip after 6 minutes and spray the other side lightly with the oil.
- While they’re cooking, continue coating the remaining tenders and then repeat once chicken tenders are finished in the air fryer. Serve with dipping sauce!
Notes
Oven instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Coat chicken with egg and flour mixture as instructed. Place on baking sheet with the tenders evenly spaced and then cook for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Nutrition Facts:
- Serving Size: Serves 4
- Calories: 183
- Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.5 g
- Fiber: 1.1 g
- Protein: 26.8 g
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Beth says
Loved these! Will be making them often.
paleobailey says
I’m SO happy to hear this!! Thank you, Beth!
Kelsey says
Love these, I made them twice this week! Been looking for a good paleo chicken tender and this is it! So easy and quick, will definitely be going into the weeknight rotation. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Tiffany says
Love these!! I am super new to air frying and these were very easy and delicious. Do you have the nutritional information per serving handy, or am I missing it in here? Thanks!
paleobailey says
I’m so glad to hear this! Thank you, Tiffany! And we don’t, we’re working on calculating them and putting them into every recipe but it’s a slow, manual process so we’re only about 1/3 of the way through all of the recipes 🙂
Angel says
Hi, I am allergic to almonds. Will it be okay to substitute with coconut flour?
paleobailey says
Hey there! I think that would be fine. It’ll change the texture a bit, being coconut is more fine than almond, but I think they’ll still taste great 🙂
Kelsey says
Let me start by mentioning that I’m a HUGE chicken tender fan. Anyways, I started a diet recently that has me eating quite a fair amount of chicken everyday and I’ve been unenthused by the way I’ve been preparing it. Well, I borrowed an air fryer and tried this recipe on a whim and I AM HOOKED. This is a real game changer for me!
paleobailey says
LOVE THIS! So much!! I’m so glad you love these. They’re a huge favorite over here too! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and let me know. I really appreciate it! <3 - B
JT says
Will these be okay if you leave out the baking powder so they are Whole30 compliant?
paleobailey says
Hi there! I’ve never made them without baking powder, but all of my baking powders are Whole30 compliant. I’ve used the generic Target brand for years. There’s quite a few options (not an exhaustive list, just a quick search!):
https://www.target.com/p/aluminum-free-baking-powder-market-pantry-8482/-/A-17295357?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&fndsrc=tgtao&CPNG=PLA_Grocery%2BShopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Grocery&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9019477&ds_rl=1246978&ds_rl=1248099&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxrzE-Z__5gIVBdbACh17Pw9lEAQYBSABEgK6_vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://products.wholefoodsmarket.com/product/pamelas-products-aluminum-free-baking-powder-dc9052
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hain-Pure-Foods-Baking-Powder-8-Oz/26382952 (also sold at Target, Whole Foods, etc.)
That being said, you could leave it out! It likely only changes the texture a tiny bit!!
Lindsey says
These chicken tenders are AMAZING! If you like traditional fried and bad for you chicken tenders then you will appreciate the healthier option these provide. Super flavorful and easy to make; this recipe will be used frequently in our household.
paleobailey says
Oh I’m SO glad to hear this!! Thank you so, so much for taking the time to make them, and also coming back and letting me know! Your feedback is so appreciated! <3 - B
Shaina Antila says
We made these tonight during our Whole30 and they were fab!! I would definitely make these again, even off W30.
paleobailey says
Ahh! Thank you, Shaina!! I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know – it’s so appreciated! <3 - B
Sarah Ballard says
Absolutely LOVE these!! Now a fan favorite at my house, my teens have no idea these aren’t “regular” chicken tenders!!
paleobailey says
Amazing!! I’m so, so glad to hear this. Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know! It’s so appreciated <3 - B
Mary says
Can I use almond meal? Just what I have in hand.
paleobailey says
I think that’ll work out okay! It is a bit more course than the flour, so it might change the texture a tiny bit, but not enough to make too huge of a difference I don’t think! 🙂
Lexi says
I’ve tried soooo many Whole30 chicken tender recipes and all of them have been disappointing except this one! Perfect flavors with the “breading!”
paleobailey says
LOVE to hear this! So glad they’re a hit for you!
Miranda says
Loved this recipe so much. Made them a second time yesterday and at the very end I turned up the heat and cooked for 2 more minutes to get them really crispy. This is a fab recipe
paleobailey says
This is so great to hear! Thank you!!
Katie says
These were delicious! I’ve tried a few other paleo and whole30 chicken tenders, but these seemed to hold up the best and have a lot of flavor. I can’t wait to top these on a salad too. I’m sure these will become a staple in our house. <3
paleobailey says
I’m SO happy you enjoyed them! Thank you!!
Sam says
These were such a hit tonight with our young girls! Not much work or much time either. We’ll be making these frequently!
paleobailey says
Thanks, Sam! I’m so glad everyone enjoyed them 🙂 – B
Kathy says
These were incredible!! Very juicy and great flavor on the “breading”. Everyone from my toddler to my 10 year old to my husband thought so and have all requested we make these again later this week. Thank you!
paleobailey says
So great to hear! Thank you so much!!
julie walker says
What can I use instead of eggs? My husband can’t eat them.
paleobailey says
I’m not sure what you could use as a binder instead of the egg wash that would give the same type of result. If you’ve ever breaded chicken or pork chops before and used something different, I would use that! Sorry I can’t be of more help, I’m too unfamiliar with egg substitutes to give a solid answer here 🙂
Allison says
I think there’s an avocado based mayo that doesn’t contain eggs. That could be the binder.
Meghan says
I made these the other night and they were absolutely amazing! So easy and delicious! I’m going to make a couple Ziplock bags of the almond mixture to save some time on weeknights! Thanks for sharing this!
paleobailey says
SO happy to hear!! Thanks, Meghan!!
Jen says
Turned out great in the oven! Heated leftovers in a frying pan to re-crisp, then put on a salad with romaine, green onion, cucumber, tomato, hard boiled egg, and primal ranch. Ridiculous.
paleobailey says
That sounds SO good! I’m so happy you liked them, Jen! Thanks for coming back and letting me know 🙂
Kathy Barber says
Very tender, great flavor, no dipping sauce needed. Super easy with the air fryer. I was able to easily multi- task while these were cooking.
paleobailey says
Wonderful!! Oh I’m so happy to hear that – thank you, Kathy!
Susan says
Ground oregano or oregano leaves?
paleobailey says
I used dried oregano leaves from the Target brand spices 🙂