This Clean Eating Chicken Tenders Recipe is the perfect guilt free, healthy dinner! Whole30, paleo, and gluten free- they’ll become a staple in your home!
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When I was growing up.. I basically lived off of chicken nuggets/chicken tenders + pasta. I was the PICKIEST eater ever. I seriously don’t know how my mom dealt with me. Chicken tenders were my go to meal of choice whenever we would go out to eat, accompanied by a giant pile of fries (duh). If we’re being totally honest, I never really grew out of my chicken tender loving phase, and I still crave them. 
But here’s the thing with chicken tenders/chicken nuggets. In addition to being fried (we all know that’s no good for you), their ingredients are seriously questionable.. from the chicken on the inside, to the batter on the outside.. there are some WEIRD things in there… but no worries, I came up with my own Clean Eating Chicken Tenders recipe which I personally think is even better than whatever you’d get in the frozen section or from a restaurant!
You only need 7 ingredients to make these Clean Eating Chicken Tenders, and unlike most ones that you’ll find in restaurants – they’re baked, not fried. I promise you won’t even know the difference though. The coconut flakes make these super crunchy, but also give them a slightly grown up feel. (Even though I still eat them with my hands and dunk them in copious amounts of condiments…whatever.)
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Whenever I’m feeling lazy, these healthy chicken tenders are my go to meal. I typically will bread the chicken before going to the gym, and Ty puts them in the oven when he gets home from work. Super quick, super easy, and we both love them! I always pair these healthy chicken tenders alongside my Healthy Baked French Fries and usually dip them in mustard. This one is one of my favorites, but I’ve also been loving this Organic Honey Dijon that is made locally in CT.
This is an older recipe, but I wanted to update the photos to show how delicious they really are. I’ve had countless people message me and say that their whole family loved these clean eating chicken tenders – including the pickiest of eaters! There is a reason why they’re my favorite recipe on the site. Once you try them, you’ll know why!
Do you have a food that you loved as a kid? Chicken tenders definitely top the list for me.. I’m so glad I now have a healthier option to satisfy my cravings!
Things we used for this recipe:
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Clean Eating Chicken Tenders
This Clean Eating Chicken Tenders Recipe is the perfect guilt free, healthy dinner! Made with only 7 ingredients, paleo, whole 30, and gluten free- they'll become a staple in your home!
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cleaned, pounded slightly + cut into strips OR chicken tenders
- 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1/2 cup almond meal
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp almond milk
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 450. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Clean and pound 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts + cut into 'tender' strips.
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In a small bowl mix together shredded coconut, coconut flour, almond meal and pepper
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In a separate bowl mix beat one egg and milk
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Dip the chicken into egg mixture, and then dip into breading until all chicken is coated.
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Place the chicken tenders on lined baking sheet. Bake at 450 for 10-15 minutes, flip and bake for an additional 10 minutes until outside of chicken is crunchy. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts: Calories: 274, Fat: 15g, Carbs: 8g, Protein: 28g
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Nutrition Facts:
Kate
These look amazing – I’m looking for a replacement for chicken nuggets for my children as I do worry about what is inside these sorts of meals. Is the chicken moist inside the coating as my one worry is that they might be a bit dry? Also do you make your own ketchup or is there a good premade one that is ‘clean’? thanks 🙂
The Clean Eating Couple
Hi Kate – I think your kids will love these! They’re definitely not dry in the middle at all! We rarely eat ketchup so I don’t make my own, but there are lots of recipes online if you want to make it! This is Tessemae’s Ketchup that I bought at the store!
Aaron
Any recipe for the potatoe wedges?
The Clean Eating Couple
Yes! It’s linked multiple times in the post. Those are my Healthy Baked French Fries: https://thecleaneatingcouple.com/healthy-baked-french-fries/
AshleyRae
Hello! I am also looking to replace chicken nuggets for my daycare kids. Do these work to freeze ahead of time, and then just bake like you would a chicken nugget?
The Clean Eating Couple
Hi AshleyRae- I’m so sorry but I have never frozen these before. We always eat them right out of the oven! I have reheated them in the toaster oven and them come out great, but that was from the refrigerator and not the freezer. If you try freezing them let me know!
Margaret
Hello, just made these and they turned out excellent. Question: We had to add salt to the end product. How much do you add up front also while it is moist at the middle it is a bit a dry on the ends . Any recommendations? Thank you for the recipe.
The Clean Eating Couple
Hi Margaret-This recipe doesn’t have salt. If you wanted to add some you would need to test and see what works for your tastebuds. Maybe 1/4 teaspoon? I would add it to the batter with the flours. I’m not sure why the tenders would be coming out dry. Maybe check them a few minutes before they’re supposed to come out of the oven and take them out a little earlier. Everyones oven is a bit different!
Emma Smyth
Favorite recipe on the site! I’m a junior in college and for the first time have my own kitchen. I meal prep weekly and try my best to eat as healthy as possible. In the past 2 months I have made these nearly every week. So easy, so delicious, and I have yet to get sick on them.
The Clean Eating Couple
I’m so glad you like them, Emma!! They’re seriously one of my favorite things to make too and I never get sick of them!!