Description
Crispy, golden Low Carb Baked Chicken Tenders deliver restaurant-style flavor without guilt. Almond flour and parmesan cheese create a crunchy coating that satisfies keto diet cravings while keeping dinner deliciously simple.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 pound (453 grams) chicken tenders or chicken breasts sliced into strips
Coating Dry Ingredients:
- ½ cup (60 grams) almond flour
- ½ cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream
- Cooking spray or olive oil for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a wire rack to ensure optimal crispiness for the chicken tenders.
- Thoroughly pat the chicken tenders dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a crunchier coating.
- Create the egg wash by whisking together egg and heavy cream in a shallow bowl, creating a smooth, uniform mixture that will help the breading adhere.
- In a separate shallow bowl, blend almond flour, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to form a flavorful and textured coating.
- Immerse each chicken tender into the egg mixture, allowing any surplus liquid to drip off, ensuring an even and light coating.
- Carefully press the egg-coated chicken into the almond flour mixture, thoroughly coating all surfaces to create a uniform and crisp exterior.
- Arrange the breaded chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece to promote even cooking and crispiness.
- Lightly mist the tenders with cooking spray or drizzle with a small amount of olive oil to enhance browning and achieve a golden, crisp finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the tenders midway through cooking to ensure consistent coloration and doneness.
- Verify the chicken is fully cooked by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
- Serve the tenders immediately with preferred low-carb dipping sauces such as ranch, sugar-free ketchup, or spicy mayo for added flavor complexity.
Notes
- Ensure chicken tenders are completely dry before breading to achieve maximum crispiness and help the coating stick perfectly.
- Use a meat thermometer for precise doneness, preventing overcooking and maintaining juicy, tender chicken.
- Customize the spice blend by experimenting with different herbs and seasonings like smoked paprika, Italian herbs, or cayenne for extra kick.
- For gluten-free and keto dieters, replace Parmesan with nutritional yeast or additional almond flour to maintain low-carb profile while keeping the crispy texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg