Chicken With Almond Flour

Chicken With Almond Flour is something I enjoyed eating years ago, but haven’t eaten in a while. There are only a few recipes posted online, so I thought I’d make my own version for all of you!

Chicken With Almond Flour is a family-friendly, budget-friendly and absolutely delicious dish! The faux fried chicken pairs well with vegetables of your choice to create a complete meal.

Keto Breaded Chicken Cutlet

Think you can’t have some of your favorite foods on a keto diet? Think again. These low-carb chicken cutlets will definitely satisfy your craving for fried chicken, and also make an excellent base for a keto chicken parm.Save Recipe

• Level: Easy

• Total: 30 min
• Active: 30 min

• Yield: 4 servings
• Nutrition Info

Ingredients

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1 1/2 pounds thinly sliced chicken breast

Kosher salt

2 cups almond flour

3 large eggs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1 1/2 teaspoons paprika

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Ghee or avocado oil, for frying 

Lemon wedges, for servingAdd to Shopping List

Directions

1. If any of the chicken slices are thicker than 1/4 inch, pound them out one at a time between 2 sheets of plastic wrap with a meat mallet to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
2. Lay out the chicken on a baking sheet or plate and sprinkle all over with salt and just enough of the almond flour to lightly coat both sides.  
3. Beat the eggs in a wide shallow bowl. In another wide, shallow bowl, mix the remaining almond flour with the Parmesan, paprika and garlic powder.
4. Dip 1 to 2 slices of chicken in the eggs to coat. Let the excess drip off, then coat thoroughly in the almond flour-Parmesan mixture. Return to the baking sheet or plate and repeat with the remaining chicken. 
5. Heat 1/4 inch of ghee or avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add half the chicken and cook until golden on one side, about 3 minutes. Flip and cook until golden on the other side, another 3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat with the remaining chicken, adding more ghee or oil if needed. Serve with lemon wedges.

Almond Crusted Chicken

Healthy, naturally gluten free Almond Crusted Chicken made with almonds, seasonings and eggs. This easy recipe uses ground almonds in place of breadcrumbs to create crispy chicken tenders.

Other faux fried chicken recipes kids love are healthy fried chicken, coconut chicken and air fryer chicken wings. So good!

Homemade almond flour chicken tenders have become one of my favorite ways to bake chicken breast on a weeknight. And my family loves how great it tastes because who doesn’t love chicken strips?

Almond crusted chicken is crunchy on the outside, moist inside and full of flavour. Not to mention that each piece is more filling than traditional versions thanks to the healthy fats in almonds!

Why Make Healthy Almond Crusted Chicken?

• Quick and easy: Crispy almond chicken breast tenderloins are ready in under an hour and most of that is hands off oven time. 
• Healthy: Almonds are high in calcium, vitamin E, potassium and magnesium and lean protein chicken is high in amino acids and helps maintain bone density!
• Baked not fried: Which means lower in fat and calories and we can make a healthy dessert.
• Kid approved: Kid tested, mom approved and they don’t even know they are eating a better for them chicken strip.
• Diet friendly: Low carb, gluten free, sugar free, keto, paleo, Whole30, these chicken tenders fit into many healthy lifestyles! 

Crushed almonds, almond meal and almond flour are my new go-to instead of breadcrumbs. I use this healthy swap with healthy lemon chicken recipe and healthy chicken Parmesan as well! However, if someone in your family is allergic to nuts or you just want good old breaded chicken, check out this baked breaded chicken cutlets recipe.

Ingredients for Almond Flour ‘Fried’ Chicken

If you want leftovers, double the recipe. One batch serves 4 people and when I made it, only a few pieces of crispy almond chicken breast were left.

• Chicken: Use chicken breast meat or chicken tenderloins. I recommend boneless & skinless.
• Almonds: Use raw almonds rather than seasoned and salted not to mess with other breading ingredients. Almond flour can also be used, although chicken won’t be as ‘crunchy’. I save almond flour for almond flour crust pizza instead. Looking for almond chicken? Try my stir fry or teriyaki chicken with an addition of sliced almonds instead.

Almond flour types: Almond flour or almond meal will work just as well. I grind almonds in a food processor for a homemade almond flour just because we like more crunch with almond crusted chicken!

• Seasonings: Garlic or onion powder/granules, dried oregano or basil, salt and pepper. Don’t use fresh garlic or herbs because they will ruin the breading (however, fresh is best in this baked zucchini recipe).
• Eggs: To stick it all together!

How to Make Crispy Almond Chicken Breast Strips

There is a full recipe card below. 

• Make nut breading: In a bowl, mix together ground nuts and seasonings. In another small bowl, whisk the eggs.
• Prepare chicken: Wash chicken breasts and pat dry with paper towel. Then cut into 1/2 inch thick strips lengthwise. Use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken pieces a few times on a cutting board. I suggest placing a piece of plastic wrap on top of the chicken. Do not skip this step. This will make your almond flour fried chicken so tender!
• Dip the chicken: First dip both sides of each chicken strip into the egg mixtures. Then, coat completely with the almond flour ‘fried’ chicken mixture. Place the breaded chicken on a prepared baking sheet.

Tip: Try to hold the meat by the ends to prevent the almond mixture from sticking to your fingers. You can also rinse your finders in a bowl of cold water.

• Bake: Place in preheated oven at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes on one side. Flip and bake for another 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Please note, when flipping the bottom might look under baked and soggy but it will get browned and turn into crispy almond chicken breast, trust me.

Freezer Friendly Chicken Tenders

Make ahead freezer meal: Prep the almond crusted chicken tenders as per recipe instructions. Lay the uncooked strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then freeze completely. Lastly, transfer to a large Ziploc bag. When you are ready to enjoy, bake from frozen following the recipe’s instructions + 15 minutes.

Optional Add-In’s and Variations

• Nuts: Try cashews, pistachios or even smoked almonds (omit added salt) for a different taste!
• Seasonings: Smoked paprika, paprika, thyme or cajun spices would taste amazing. Kids love smoked paprika on air fryer chicken drumsticks!
• Eggs: All out of eggs? Try milk, buttermilk, sour cream or Greek yogurt.
• Grated parmesan: Could be added to your breading mixture for an almond parmesan crusted chicken.
• Other meat: Try this breading on salmon, whitefish or pork chops!

Tips for Best Results

• Set the crust: If you are worried that your crust is not sticking, after you ‘bread’ your chicken tenders, cover and place in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes. 
• Pat the almond coating: Alternately, if you are short on time, after breading, pat the chicken strips to seal the coating. 
• Pulse almonds in food processor: Of course this is personal preference, but it’s really better with a few crunchy almond pieces on the chicken for texture! 
• Tenderize your chicken: Don’t skip this step, it evens out the chicken’s texture and makes it juicier!
• Drizzle of olive oil: Not necessary, but will add a crisp to the almond flour ‘fried’ chicken!

FAQs

Can I air fry almond crusted chicken?

Yes, although I have not tested this recipe, air fryer chicken tenders with panko is a favorite. You will need to adjust the cooking time as an air fryer will cook faster, one reader had success at 390F degrees for 15 minutes.

Can I make crispy almond chicken breast nuggets?

Yes, this is a great idea for smaller kids! Just cut your tenders into smaller sized pieces and they will cook faster so keep an eye on them in the oven.

Can I pan fry almond crusted ‘fried’ chicken?

Yes, this will require some use of oil, but is definitely doable in a large skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until done.

What is almond fried chicken?

While there are many variations of this, many times it refers to a deep fried chicken tenderloin that is topped with gravy and then sprinkled with toasted almonds and served over iceberg. That dish has many steps and is high in calories and fat (as well as lacking nutritional value!), my almond flour ‘fried’ chicken is lower in calories, fat and carbs, plus has additional nutritional value from using whole almonds.

How many carbs are in crusted chicken?

A panko (breadcrumb) based chicken might have up to 45g total carbs! This low carb chicken with homemade almond flour contains only 3g.

How to Serve Gluten Free Chicken Tenders?

These almond flour chicken tenders are great as:

• An appetizer with dipping sauce: Ketchup or your favourite healthy dipping sauce like healthy honey mustard, healthy BBQ sauce or healthy ranch dressing.
• Faux fast food meal: Serve with pressure cooker mac and cheese or healthy mashed potatoes with gravy for a faux KFC experience or make this lower carb cauliflower mac and cheese.
• Low carb meal: With tomato mozzarella salad or savoy cabbage salad.
• Easy dinner with a side of veggies: This baked okra would pair nicely with almond flour chicken tenders (watch your kids devour it!), not to mention so easy to prep while chicken is baking and then pop right in the already preheated to 450 degrees F oven for another 15 minutes. I do not recommend to bake both at same time because steam from okra will result in less crispy chicken.

How to Store Healthy Breaded Chicken?

Storing: Leftover chicken should be placed in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Please note, it will lose a bit of the crispiness once refrigerated. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.

Reheating:When ready to reheat, bake from frozen for 10-15 minutes or if leftovers for 5 minutes at 375 degrees F.

ALMOND FLOUR CHICKEN TENDERS

These keto almond flour chicken tenders are super easy to make and they are so flavorful, especially with the tasty dipping sauce.

Chicken tenders are like magic. You take the blandest of meats – chicken breast – coat it in a tasty coating, bake or fry, and you’ve got yourself a tasty, crispy delicacy!

This is an easy recipe – for sure easier than deep-frying (though perhaps not as easy as these grilled tenders). Coat the chicken pieces in seasoned almond flour, bake them for 15 minutes in a 450F oven, then briefly broil to brown them.

THE INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED

Here’s an overview of what you’ll need to make these keto almond flour chicken tenders. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below.

FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE:

Mayonnaise: I like to use avocado oil mayonnaise. But any mayonnaise will do.

Dijon mustard: Dijon is creamier and less vinegary than yellow mustard,

Unsweetened ketchup: Traditional ketchup is quite sugary. This ketchup is just as good! I find it at Whole Foods or on Amazon.

Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you might want to reduce the amount you use

Garlic powder: Make sure it’s fresh. A stale spice can easily ruin a dish.

FOR THE CHICKEN:

Avocado oil spray: I use it both for the pan and to spray the chicken pieces before I bake them.

Mayonnaise: Again, I use avocado oil mayonnaise. My favorite brand is Sir Kensington.

Dijon mustard: I use this creamy traditional French mustard to coat the chicken pieces before dredging them in almond meal.

Kosher salt and black pepper: As explained above, use less salt if using fine salt such as table salt or even sea salt.

Spices: Garlic powder, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper.

Raw chicken tenders: 1 lb., which is about 8 pieces.

Coating: Almond meal and grated (not shredded) parmesan.

HOW TO MAKE ALMOND FLOUR CHICKEN TENDERS

It’s so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

1. Your first step is to mix the dipping sauce ingredients. Then set it aside.

2. Now, coat the chicken pieces in a mixture of mayonnaise, Dijon, and spices.

3. Your next step is to dredge the chicken pieces in a tasty mixture of almond meal and parmesan.

4. Place them on a greased roasting rack in a rimmed broiler-safe baking sheet. Spray them with oil.

5. Bake the tenders for 15 minutes at 450°F, then briefly broil to get them browned.

THE TASTY COATING: ALMOND FLOUR AND PARMESAN

There’s no need for using breadcrumbs. Instead, I use a mixture of almond meal and grated Parmesan cheese, which is just as good.

It’s best to use coarse almond meal in this recipe (available on Amazon), and not blanched, finely ground almond flour. Although if all you have is almond flour, it will be okay, just less crispy.

WHAT SIDE DISHES GO WITH THIS RECIPE?

Anything goes! It’s such a versatile main dish. But since I bake them in a 450°F oven, I like to serve these keto almond flour chicken tenders with a side dish that I can cook in the same oven. So I often serve them with roasted green beans or with roasted bell peppers.

WHAT TO DO WITH LEFTOVERS?

You can keep the leftovers for up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. The almond flour coating will lose its crispness. But you can get some of it back by reheating them in a 300F oven for about 15 minutes.