These Crispy Oven Baked Keto Chicken Tenders are just what you’ve been craving! These delicious low carb, gluten free chicken tenders are about 1 net carb for two tenders!
Relive your childhood with these delightful Keto Chicken Tenders! They are easily freezable and will last a few days in the refrigerator, making them a great option for a busy day’s meal prep.
As well as being the perfect everyday lunch, these versatile low carb Chicken Tenders are a great option for a buffet or party. Oven baked and perfectly seasoned for that authentic ‘fried chicken’ flavor, they make ideal finger food and are suitable for a wide range of dietary needs.
There’s definitely a reason why Chicken Tenders are so popular with adults and children alike, and being on a keto diet needn’t mean you can’t enjoy that gorgeous flavor we all know and love!
Ingredients in Keto Chicken Tenders
- Chicken Breast, cut into thin strips
- Egg
- Mayonnaise
- Almond Flour
- Pork Panko: ground pork rinds that make a perfect sub for panko breadcrumbs
- Parmesan: the grated or powdered variety, not shredded
- Spices: Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika
How to make Keto Chicken Tenders
Making chicken tenders is a pretty simple process. You simply need to slice your chicken into thin strips. Dip the chicken breast into an egg and mayo mixture, then dredge in a keto friendly coating of almond flour, parmesan cheese, spices and pork rind panko. Make sure your tenders are coated fully for the best flavor.
Then simply decide how to cook them! These low carb chicken tenders can be made in the oven, or an air fryer. You will find all of the specific cooking information in the recipe card below, but each method has its advantages. When cooking in an oven you can cook a large batch at once, which makes things easy, but does take longer.
Alternatively, if you cook in an air fryer the cooking time is a lot faster and they have that great crunchy air fryer texture. The drawback is that you do have to cook them in batches as the air fryer is smaller.
How Long to Bake Chicken Tenders
If you choose to use the oven method the chicken tenders need to cook at 425 degrees for 20-25 minutes. One thing to note is that the cooking time will depend on how thick you cut your chicken.
I prefer to make smaller, thinner tenders so they are perfectly crunchy. If you make thicker tenders you will need to increase the cooking time a few minutes.
How to Reheat Low Carb Chicken Tenders
Keto Chicken Tenders will be good in the refrigerator for a couple of days, making them perfect for a quick and tasty lunch! To reheat your Chicken Tenders, start by preheating your oven to 450-500 degrees. Wrap your chicken in foil and place onto a baking tray, leaving it out of the refrigerator until the Chicken Tenders reach room temperature.
Once your oven is preheated and the Chicken Tenders are no longer cool, place them into the preheated oven for 8 to 12 minutes, depending on how many pieces you have and how large they are. Check at regular intervals and remove from the oven when each piece is heated right the way through.
Can I Freeze Chicken Tenders?
If you plan on keeping your Chicken Tenders for longer than a few days, they’re perfectly suitable for freezing. Wait until the tenders are cooled before placing them into freezer bags.
Don’t fully close the bags; an airtight environment can lead to condensation that will make your lovely crispy Chicken Tenders go soggy.
Tips for Making Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders
These almond flour Chicken Tenders are low in carbs, diabetic friendly and naturally gluten-free, making them a great option to suit a variety of dietary needs at gatherings or dinner parties! Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure they come out perfect every time:
- Do not overcrowd your pan. Make sure you use a large enough pan that the tenders do not touch. This ensures the tenders will get perfectly crispy.
- Bread the tenders evenly. Don’t be afraid to use your hands to bread the chicken. Sometimes using utensils it can be difficult to create a solid breading. Make sure the chicken is evenly covered all over.
More Keto Chicken Recipes
Chicken is incredibly protein-rich, making it a great, satisfying addition to any keto diet, and the creative options really are endless! Try out some of these keto chicken recipes to keep your diet fresh and exciting.
- Keto Pesto Chicken Ravioli (under 2 net carbs per serving)
- Grilled Jalapeno Lime Chicken (great to add to a lettuce wrap)
- Low Carb Kung Pao Chicken (gluten free)
- Broccoli Cheddar Stuffed Chicken (under 2 net carbs per serving)
- Easy Keto Buffalo Chicken Taquitos (3 ingredients)
- Keto Chicken Fajita Lettuce Wrap (3.3 net carbs per serving)
Oven Baked Keto Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast cut into 12 strips
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons butter
For the Keto Breading
- 1 cup pork rind panko see notes
- 1/3 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F
- Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray, or line with aluminum foil.
- In one shallow bowl combine the egg and mayonnaise, beat with a fork until it is completely combined. Set aside.
- In another shallow bowl combine the Keto Breading ingredients.
- Dip each sliced chicken tender into the egg mixture, then dredge in the breading. Make sure the tenders are completely coated.
- Once each tender is coated well, lay on the cooking sheet and brush with the melted butter.
- Bake 15 minutes, turn the tenders carefully using tongs and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
Lisa says
Can one use the coating to air cook bone in chicken?
Annie says
Hi Lisa, yes it should work just fine. I hope you enjoy!