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The Best Paleo Chicken Tenders: Grain-Free & Gluten-Free

These Paleo Chicken Tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle, seasoned to perfection and super easy to make. You'll never guess they're grain-free!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
marinating time15 minutes
Total Time55 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Best Ever Chicken Tenders, Grain-Free Chicken Tenders, Paleo Chicken Tenders
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 medium chicken breasts rinsed, pat dry and sliced into 1” strips
  • 2 eggs
  • 1.5 cups tapioca starch plus more, as needed
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt plus more, as needed
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper plus more, as desired
  • ½ teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 cup avocado oil plus more, as needed

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the chicken, eggs, ¼ cup tapioca starch, paprika, onion powder, salt, smoked paprika, granulated garlic, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and water. Mix well to coat, cover and refrigerate 15-30 minutes to marinate.
  • When ready to cook, preheat 1 cup of avocado oil in a large cast-iron skillet set over medium heat until it reaches around 360F.
  • Add the remaining 1.25 cups tapioca starch to a large bowl or strong paper bag. Season the starch with a pinch of salt and pepper and stir through. Working in batches, drain the chicken of any excess batter and transfer them to the tapioca starch. Toss the chicken pieces to fully coat, shake off any excess starch and carefully add them to the hot oil. Cook the chicken until golden brown and crispy, around 4 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden brown and crispy, or until the thickest part of the chicken registers 165F internally, 3-4 more minutes.
  • Transfer the chicken to a sheet pan lined with a wire rack to drain excess oil and continue cooking the rest in batches. Serve immediately with dipping sauces of choice.

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