Almond-Crusted Chicken Tenders bring a delightful twist to your usual chicken routine. With a crispy almond coating and a creamy avocado dipping sauce, it's a dish that's as satisfying as it is simple to prepare. It's perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun family gathering.
Chicken tenders are lean and cook quickly, making them a perfect base for this dish. The almond flour provides a light, crispy coating that’s gluten-free. Adding sliced almonds, finely chopped, gives extra crunch and a nutty flavor. Garlic powder and onion powder add savory depth, while smoked paprika introduces a subtle smokiness. A touch of salt and black pepper balances the flavors. Eggs act as the glue to hold the almond coating in place. Olive oil is used for frying, adding richness and helping the coating crisp up. For the dipping sauce, ripe avocado offers creaminess, plain Greek yogurt adds tang, and lime juice brightens the flavors. A bit of garlic powder in the dip and seasoning with salt and pepper ties everything together.
These almond-crusted chicken tenders are delicious served with a fresh green salad or roasted vegetables. For a crowd, consider serving them alongside sweet potato fries or a light quinoa salad. The avocado dipping sauce is versatile, so feel free to use it as a spread on sandwiches or wraps, too.
Start by setting up your breading station. Combine the almond flour, chopped almonds, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. In another dish, beat the eggs until smooth. Now, it's time to coat the chicken. Dip each tender into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off before pressing it into the almond mixture. Make sure it's well-coated; this is where the crunch comes from.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken tenders in batches—don’t overcrowd the pan. Cook each tender for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. They should be crispy and enticingly fragrant at this point. While they cook, you can multitask a bit by preparing the dipping sauce.
For the sauce, mash the ripe avocado in a small bowl until smooth. Mix in the Greek yogurt, lime juice, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to your taste. This creamy dip is the perfect complement to your crispy chicken tenders.
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