Dairy-Free Breaded Chicken Tenders
Crispy, golden, and bursting with flavor, these Dairy-Free Breaded Chicken Tenders are the perfect guilt-free comfort food for those with dietary restrictions or simply looking for a lighter alternative. Marinated in a homemade dairy-free buttermilk made with almond milk and apple cider vinegar, these tenders are infused with tangy moisture that keeps the chicken irresistibly juicy. The coating combines all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and savory spices like paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder for a flavorful base, while panko breadcrumbs deliver a satisfying crunch. Lightly pan-fried in coconut oil and finished in the oven, these tenders achieve a perfectly crisp texture without sacrificing health-conscious ingredients. Ready in under 40 minutes and ideal for dipping in your favorite sauces, this easy recipe is a crowd-pleaser for dairy-free diners and chicken lovers alike.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.25 cup cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 0.5 cup coconut oil
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a shallow bowl, combine the almond milk and apple cider vinegar. Stir and let sit for 5 minutes to create a dairy-free buttermilk.
In another bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Place the panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish.
Dip each chicken tender in the flour mixture to coat lightly, then into the almond milk mixture, and finally coat with the panko breadcrumbs. Ensure each tender is well coated.
In a large skillet, heat coconut oil over medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot, add the breaded chicken tenders in batches, cooking each side for about 3 minutes until golden brown.
Transfer the browned tenders to the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and crispy.
Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your dairy-free breaded chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2897 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 196.5 g | 252% | |
| Saturated Fat | 108.8 g | 544% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 227 mg | 76% | |
| Sodium | 5578 mg | 243% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 175.1 g | 64% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.5 g | 34% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.6 g | ||
| Protein | 107.6 g | 215% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.2 mcg | 11% | |
| Calcium | 548 mg | 42% | |
| Iron | 11.0 mg | 61% | |
| Potassium | 1463 mg | 31% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
