Dairy-Free Breaded Chicken Tenders

Crispy, golden, and irresistibly juicy, these Dairy-Free Breaded Chicken Tenders are the perfect crowd-pleaser for dinner or as a delicious snack. Made without a hint of dairy, this recipe uses unsweetened almond milk and apple cider vinegar to create a tangy dairy-free buttermilk that ensures the chicken stays moist and flavorful. Coated in a perfectly seasoned blend of flour, paprika, garlic, and onion powder, and finished with a crunchy layer of panko breadcrumbs, these tenders achieve the ultimate texture with a quick pan-fry in coconut oil followed by baking for an extra-crispy finish. Ready in just 40 minutes, this recipe is ideal for busy weeknights and caters to those with dietary restrictions without compromising on bold, satisfying flavor. Pair these tenders with your favorite dipping sauce for a meal that’s sure to become a family favorite!

Nutriscore Rating: 48/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

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.

Step 3

In another bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Step 4

Place the panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

In a large skillet, heat coconut oil over medium-high heat.

Step 7

Once the oil is hot, add the breaded chicken tenders in batches, cooking each side for about 3 minutes until golden brown.

Step 8

Transfer the browned tenders to the prepared baking sheet.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and crispy.

Step 10

Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your dairy-free breaded chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(967.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2897.2

Total Fat 196.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 108.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.6g
Cholesterol 226.8mg	0%
Sodium 5577.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 175.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.5g	0%
Total Sugars 6.6g
Protein 107.6g	0%

Vitamin D 87.8IU	0%
Calcium 548.3mg	0%
Iron 11.0mg	0%
Potassium 1462.9mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.0%

Protein: 14.8%

Carbs: 24.2%