These Whole30 Cashew Crusted Chicken Tenders are juicy and flavorful. With directions for both air fryer and oven baked chicken tenders, these make a great healthy and fast weeknight dinner!
Whole30 Chicken Tender Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders
- Raw Cashews
- Tapioca Flour
- Garlic Powder
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Eggs
- Coconut Milk
- Dijon Mustard
- Avocado Oil or Compliant Cooking Spray
- Salt & Pepper
How to make Cashew Crusted Chicken Tenders
Place cashews, tapioca flour, garlic powder, cumin, and paprika in a food processor and pulse until cashews are finely chopped and ingredients are well combined.
Put cashew mixture in a bowl for breading.
In a separate bowl whisk eggs, coconut milk, a dijon mustard together.
Pat chicken tenders dry and season with salt and pepper.
One piece at a time, dip the chicken in the egg mixture, allow excess egg to drip off, then dip into the cashew mixture ensuring to coat on both sides.
(See cooking directions below)
Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
The air fryer is a great way to make these chicken tenders perfectly crispy without the added fat from frying.
Add chicken tenders to the air fryer basket (careful not to overcrowd) and spray with Whole30 compliant cooking spray or drizzle with avocado oil.
Cook for 14 minutes at 375, flipping halfway through.
Ensure chicken has reached 165F and enjoy!
*This might have to be done in batches.
Baked Chicken Tenders
If you don’t have an air fryer or prefer to bake the tenders in one large batch the oven is a perfect alternative!
Place chicken tenders on a parchment paper lined baking sheet (careful not to overcrowd) and spray with Whole30 compliant cooking spray or drizzle with avocado oil.
Bake for 8-10 minutes each side at 400F until chicken has reached an internal temp of 165F.
Remove from oven and enjoy!
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Tips for best Baked Chicken Tenders
- Be sure to pat chicken dry before beginning to help the coating stick.
- Do not overcook your chicken tenders - I love my handy meat thermometer to ensure the meat I’m cooking is always perfectly done, tender, and delicious! You can find the one I use here!
- Flip chicken halfway through cooking time so the chicken tenders are crisp on both sides.
- If desired, broil chicken tenders for 2 minutes after baking in oven to make them extra crispy.
Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
If you’re not currently on a Whole30, these baked chicken tenders are delicious served alongside this Paleo Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce.
Mix ½ cup dijon mustard with ¼ cup honey and serve!
Store dipping sauce in an airtight container in the fridge.
If you are on a Whole30, serve with a Whole30 compliant dipping sauce. Tessemae’s Avocado Ranch is my favorite!
Save this recipe for later, pin it here!
More Whole30 Dinners
Whole30 Spicy Sweet Potato Chili
Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon (Whole30, Paleo)
One-Pan Roasted Chicken & Root Vegetables Dinner {Whole30, Paleo}
📖 Recipe
Whole30 Cashew Crusted Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lb Chicken Tenders
- 2 ½ cup Raw Cashews
- ¼ cup Tapioca Flour
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Cumin
- ½ tsp Paprika
- 2 Eggs
- ¼ cup Coconut Milk
- 2 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tbsp Avocado Oil or compliant cooking spray
- Salt & Pepper
For Paleo Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce (Omit for Whole30)
- ½ Cup Dijon Mustard
- ¼ Cup Honey
Instructions
- Place cashews, tapioca flour, garlic powder, cumin, and paprika in a food processor and pulse until cashews are finely chopped and ingredients are well combined.
- Put cashew mixture in a bowl for breading.
- In a separate bowl whisk eggs, coconut milk, a dijon mustard together.
- Pat chicken tenders dry and season with salt and pepper.
- One piece at a time, dip the chicken in the egg mixture, allow excess egg to drip off, then dip into the cashew mixture ensuring to coat on both sides.
Air Fryer
- Add chicken tenders to the air fryer basket (careful not to overcrowd) and spray with Whole30 compliant cooking spray or drizzle with avocado oil.
- Cook for 14 minutes at 375, flipping halfway through.
- Ensure chicken has reached 165F and enjoy!
Oven Baked
- Place chicken tenders on a parchment paper lined baking sheet (careful not to overcrowd) and spray with Whole30 compliant cooking spray or drizzle with avocado oil.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes each side at 400F until chicken has reached an internal temp of 165F.
- Remove from oven and enjoy!
For Paleo Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce (Omit for Whole30)
- Add mustard and honey in a small bowl and combine well.
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