Main Meals
Healthy Gluten-Free Chicken Fingers (Paleo Friendly!)
By The KSW Team · April 24, 2018 · 3 min read
Healthy Gluten-Free Chicken Fingers
One of my all-time favourite foods is chicken fingers. There is something just so deliciously perfect about them. Slight crunch, a little salty, and yummy AF.
Chicken fingers aren’t usually synonymous with healthy food. Obviously, I had to make up a version that was. How else could I go on with my life if I didn’t?
“Are you vegan?”
This is the question I get asked most often. If the whole gluten-free chicken finger blog post didn’t make it obvious, I’m not a vegan. But we do eat mostly plant-based meals. Michael Pollan says it best,”Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.” That is the motto I live by.
Remember, there is no one diet for everyone. Some people thrive on a vegan diet, while others do best as an omnivore. Just like many people do well eating a paleo style diet, while others need to include some healthy grain in their diet. I always tell people and my clients in The Clear Skin Solution to eat that what makes their body and mind feel best. With that said, we do eat a lot less meat than the standard household.
Importance of Organic
When we do consume animal proteins, we only eat organic, pasture-raised, or sustainable options. Since we eat less meat, our grocery budget doesn’t increase by choosing these higher priced options. But is the label really worth the price? Organic or pasture-raised usually have more nutrients, lower exposure to chemicals and antibiotics, and have been treated humanely.
Pasture-raised, particularly, have much higher nutrients than their conventional counterpart. Since they eat grass and roam around foraging for food, they have much higher levels of omega-3s. The animals are usually leaner as well – same as we would be if we had ample space to roam around all day long. So for us, the label is definitely worth the price.
Dinner Time
My son, Jackson, absolutely loves these healthy gluten-free chicken fingers! His favourite part is dipping them in my Rosemary Garlic Aioli. We usually serve it up with Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries for a healthy spin on chicken fingers and fries. Toss together my Strawberry Avocado Salad and you have yourself a pretty complete little dinner. Perfect for enjoying a warm weather meal on your patio.
PS. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, @katiestewartwellness, so I can see your creations. You can even post your tasty pictures in my free Facebook group, Clear Skin For Life.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into strips
- 1 cup almond flour
- ¼ cup arrowroot starch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs
- Avocado oil for pan-frying or baking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), or prepare a skillet with a thin layer of avocado oil over medium heat.
Set up breading station:
- In one shallow bowl: whisk the eggs.
- In another shallow bowl: mix almond flour, arrowroot starch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Coat the chicken:
- Dip each chicken strip into the egg wash, then coat in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere. Shake off excess.
Bake or fry:
- To bake: Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spray lightly with avocado oil. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
- To pan-fry: Heat oil until shimmering. Cook chicken in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate.
Serve:
- Enjoy with a dipping sauce like our dairy-free ranch aioli (see notes).