Name: Crispy Almond Chicken Tenders
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless, chicken breast tenderloins; 4 tablespoons avocado oil; 1/3 cup flour; 2 eggs; 1 cup fresh bread crumbs; 1 cup sliced almonds; salt (1/2 teaspoon) and ground pepper

Simple chicken fillets become Crispy Almond Chicken Tenders when breaded with sliced almonds and bread crumbs. A quick trip through the oven adds crispiness and color.

Updated March 2020.

Sliced Easy Almond-crusted Chicken tenders on a plate with silverware

Do you occasionally crave fried chicken as I do?

Typically, the crunch of the lightly-fried almonds and bread crumbs combined with tender bites of chicken usually satisfies my naughty yearnings.

These oven-baked chicken tenders are fancy enough for company. On the other hand, if you don’t count the salt and pepper, there are only five ingredients making this recipe uncomplicated and easy.

Recipe Inspiration

The directions for this chicken come from my friend Scooter of Scooter’s Spaghetti fame (the third most popular post on this blog). Years ago, she showed up at my house with this special treat after I had been in the hospital for a few days.

I’ve never forgotten her visit. That memory only reinforces my theory that sharing recipes can be an enduring gift.

Ingredients and Substitutions

CHICKEN: Skinless and boneless chicken tenders are best for this recipe. They are easier to handle than a full tenderloin. Be careful not to overcook them.
FLOUR: Substitute whole wheat or bleached all-purpose flour for unbleached flour. If you want to go low- carb (often for me), you can leave out this first step in the breading process, but the bread crumbs will not adhere to the chicken tenders quite as well.
ALMONDS: Use blanched and slivered almonds or sliced almonds (with the brown skin barely visible on the edges. Leave them out for people who have allergies or don’t like almonds.
BREADCRUMBS: My first choice would be soft bread crumbs you make yourself with a loaf of bread (in a food processor or blender). You can also use Panko crumbs.

Substitute almond meal for the breadcrumbs if you are feeding a low-carb or Keto eater.

How to make the coating stick to the chicken

Dredge with seasoned flour
Dip in eggs
Coat each side of the tenders with the crumb and almond mixture.
Handle the tenders with care to avoid knocking off the almonds.

How can I tell when these tenders are done and ready to eat?

The internal temperature should reach 165˚F. Check with a quick-read thermometer if you’re not sure. Remember that the temperature will continue to rise for a few minutes after you remove them from the oven.

What to serve with chicken tenders

Serve these easy chicken tenders with rice or small roasted potatoes, a green vegetable like broccoli or green beans, and our favorite homemade rolls.

How to make Almond-Crusted Chicken Tenders

Flatten chicken filets — Place chicken pieces between wax paper or inside a plastic bag and pound with a mallet or your fist.

Preparing to bread chicken tenderloins — Beat two eggs and place them into a shallow dish. Combine bread crumbs and sliced almonds and place them onto a flat plate or wax paper.

dipping chicken in eggs — Dip chicken tenderloin fillets into the egg mixture.

coating tenderloins with almond and bread crumb mixture — Coat chicken pieces with almond and bread-crumb (or almond meal) mixture.

Crispy Almond Chicken Tenderloins with Keto Option — Fry in a non-stick skillet 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Almonds burn easily, so watch chicken carefully in this step.

preparing to put browned chicken tenderloins into the oven to finish — Place browned chicken strips onto a cookie sheet, pan, or a baking dish and place into the oven to bake for 20 minutes. Don’t crowd pieces. Chicken is done when pieces are golden brown and cooked through.

More Chicken Recipes

Cajun Chicken Fricassee with Mushrooms

Cajun Chicken Fricassee with Mushrooms starts with a roux-based gravy. Add in Cajun seasonings and you've got a winner. A good make-ahead dish.

Breaded Chicken Tenders with Rosemary and Parmesan

Speedy, breaded, chicken tenders with maximum flavor - try it with fish, too.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Chicken Bites

Chicken spread with cream cheese and jalapeños, rolled and wrapped with bacon, then grilled

Roasted Rosemary Chicken with "Instant" Gravy

Whole chicken roasted with rosemary, lemon and garlic accompanied by gravy quickly made in a blender

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pinterest image for crispy almond tenderloins

Did you enjoy this recipe? You can help others (and me) by leaving a rating on the recipe card itself underneath the picture. No comment required. Thank you.

Hope to see you again soon!
Paula

p.s. Questions? Email me: paula at saladinajar.com.

Yield: 6 servings