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Nightshade-Free Paleo Baked Chicken Strips

in Entrees, Recipes

Flavorful and healthy nightshade-free Paleo baked chicken strips that are kid and adult-friendly.  Whip these up for your next gluten-free lunch or dinner!

paleo_chicken_tenders 2 graphicTo say that life has been busy lately would be an understatement.  I have had a lot going on both personally and professionally, and I hope to share more regarding this with you soon.  But until then, let’s talk about my new favorite nightshade-free and Paleo chicken strips!

paleo_chicken_tenders 5In my last Friday Foodie Favorites post about some of my favorite Whole 30 recipes, I mentioned Brittany’s recipe for Baked Paleo Chicken Tenders.  Of all of the recipes that I tried during my Whole 30 in July, this was easily one of my favorites.  But now that I am eating nightshade-free, the paprika and cayenne pepper the recipe calls for do not fit in too well with my dietary needs.  Of course I could leave those two ingredients out, but who wants to eat chicken strips without some flavor?  Not me.

paleo_chicken_tenders 3So here I am, paprika and cayenne pepper-less.  After a few days spent sulking, I got into the kitchen and whipped up my own nightshade-free version of these tasty baked Paleo chicken strips.  I stuck with the basics in Brittany’s recipe, and added some pizzazz with the help of ground mustard, ginger, and onion powder.  To say that I was pleased with the results would be an understatement.  I am quite certain that you will see why once you try them out for yourself!

paleo_chicken_tenders 6Nightshade-Free Paleo Baked Chicken Strips
Nightshade-Free, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole 30

*Adapted from this recipe.

Serves 4

Ingredients

8 organic boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders
1 whole organic large egg
1 cup almond meal
1/3 cup unsweetened  shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. Beat egg in a shallow bowl.

3. Mix together almond meal, coconut, and spices in a second (larger) shallow bowl.

4. Dredge each chicken tender in the egg one at a time.  Wipe off any excess egg.  Transfer each chicken tender to the almond meal mixture and roll to coat well.

5. Place each tender on the baking sheet and bake for approximately 25 minutes, flipping once halfway through.  The chicken strips should be crispy, golden-brown and cooked through.

paleo chicken tendersThe majority of the nights that I ate these chicken strips, I ate them plain.  It turns out that dippers are pretty hard to come by when you are nightshade-free.  My favorite ketchup and yellow mustard were both out.  But a little Dijon or horseradish mustard will do the trick, and I even bet that a homemade relish-type dip would be a fantastic addition.

Delicious Nightshade-Free #Paleo Baked Chicken Strips #Whole30 #glutenfree Click To Tweet

What is your favorite condiment to dip chicken strips into?

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{ 27 comments… add one }
  • Heather @Fit n Cookies September 10, 2015, 7:13 am
    I must have missed that you are now night-shade free. Glad to hear you made these to fit into your dietary needs and they are delicious! They look so good. Chicken fingers are always yummy to me, haha. Heather @Fit n Cookies recently posted...Thinking Out Loud 9/10/15My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 10, 2015, 7:38 am
      You can't really go wrong with some chicken strips, right? :)
  • Carla September 10, 2015, 7:19 am
    I am so unbelievably plain :-) no condiments just my mouth Carla recently posted...4 ways texting enhances my relationships.My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 10, 2015, 7:39 am
      Nothing wrong with that! Honestly, these have enough flavor that I really enjoyed them all on their own too!
  • Jordan @ Harleys and Heels September 10, 2015, 7:50 am
    I am totally intrigued about this spice combo. Ginger? Hmmm.... Definitely will give this a go, especially considering I have two packages of chicken that need to be used stat! Jordan @ Harleys and Heels recently posted...4 Years StrongMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 10, 2015, 9:25 am
      I actually LOVE ginger in just about anything ...and when your spice options are limited, you try it. I love how they turned out!
  • Joanna September 10, 2015, 8:50 am
    Yum! Chicken fingers are always a hit around here! And I can't wait to get more on the latest "scoop" in Hannah's life ;) Joanna recently posted...everly: 4 monthsMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 10, 2015, 9:26 am
      Haha, you and me both! ;) Some things are kind of "up in the air" right now!
  • Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine September 10, 2015, 10:12 am
    Because ketchup is the only thing...I suggest you get some NOMATO!!! http://nomato.com/products.htm
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 10, 2015, 4:11 pm
      I had no clue that even existed! That's awesome!
  • Ashley September 10, 2015, 12:13 pm
    I have not had chicken fingers in farrrr too long! These sound delicious with all those spices - love that you used ground ginger! Ashley recently posted...Orange and Dark Chocolate WafflesMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 10, 2015, 4:11 pm
      You should most definitely give these a try. They make for the perfect comfort food meal!
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul September 10, 2015, 4:16 pm
    These look fabulous! I'm traditional and love ketchup! Erin @ Her Heartland Soul recently posted...A Summer Weekend In Kansas CityMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2015, 8:23 am
      I can't blame you there. Ketchup is an awesome dipper. I miss it so much right now! :(
  • Jen @ Skirt The Rules September 10, 2015, 4:39 pm
    Omg, that looks delicious! I love trying out new paleo recipes! xo Jen Skirt The Rules Jen @ Skirt The Rules recently posted...Colorful Homes in BuranoMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2015, 9:34 am
      Thank you, Jen! I hope you enjoy them!
  • Alyssa @ renaissancerunnergirl September 10, 2015, 6:25 pm
    I love honey mustard to dip! I would try this recipe but for the almond meal, not for my additional tree nut allergy. I have been considering trying to eliminate night shades so maybe with coconut flour.
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2015, 9:53 am
      You'll have to let me know if you give it a try and what modifications you make. I'm curious to hear how it goes!
  • Farrah September 10, 2015, 6:38 pm
    Chicken strips are probably one of my favorite "junk food" cravings--gotta love it when they can be healthified! :D These look super good! Farrah recently posted...Review: Bulu Box + Discount!My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2015, 10:07 am
      Yes! You can honestly feel super good about eating these. I even ate them for breakfast a few times ;)
  • Dani @ Dani California Cooks September 10, 2015, 7:03 pm
    These look delicious!! I bet using the shredded coconut and baking it adds an awesome "crunch" to these tenders. Dani @ Dani California Cooks recently posted...Edamame Slaw (gluten free + vegan)My Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 11, 2015, 10:08 am
      Yup! I love the crunch and flavor from the coconut. Brittany gets all of the credit for that idea!
  • GiGi Eats September 15, 2015, 9:43 pm
    YUM! I am going to try this with coconut flour as I cannot do the almond... Or maybe I could try garbonzo bean flour!
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 16, 2015, 8:12 am
      I bet garbanzo bean flour would be great, especially since I already think it has a bit of a poultry taste to it... but maybe I'm just weird ;)
  • Emily September 25, 2015, 12:36 pm
    Mmm... I didn't realize how hard it was to not use nightshades until I had to do cooking for someone who was pretty much nightshade free, but it just takes a little extra creativity. Emily recently posted...Why I’m not Carb-lessMy Profile
    • ClnEatingVegGrl September 29, 2015, 6:34 pm
      It can be pretty tough, right? But I guess it is fun to have a challenge sometimes! ;)
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