Description
These crispy turmeric chicken tenders are packed with bold flavors and a crunchy coating, thanks to a mix of brown rice flour, shredded coconut, and spices. Baked to golden perfection and served with a spicy buffalo mayo sauce, this high-protein dish is perfect for a quick dinner or meal prep!
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken Tenders:
- 2 lbs boneless chicken tenders
- 2 tbsp + 3/4 cup brown rice flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Flaked sea salt & black pepper, to taste
- 3/4 - 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 - 1 tsp ground turmeric (adjust to taste)
- 2 tsp lime zest
- Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing/drizzling
For the Spicy Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
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Preheat & Prep:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
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Season the Chicken:
- In a bowl, toss the chicken with 2 tbsp brown rice flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
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Prepare the Batter:
- In another bowl, mix ¾ cup brown rice flour, shredded coconut, smoked paprika, turmeric, and lime zest.
- Pour in ¾ cup buttermilk and stir until a thick batter forms. Add more buttermilk if needed to loosen the batter slightly.
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Coat & Bake:
- Dip each chicken tender into the batter, coating evenly. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
- Drizzle lightly with olive oil and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and spoon any remaining batter onto the chicken. Drizzle again with olive oil and bake for another 15 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
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Make the Sauce:
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayo, buffalo sauce, ketchup, and garlic powder until smooth.
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Serve & Enjoy:
- Sprinkle the chicken with extra sea salt and serve immediately with the spicy sauce. Enjoy!
Notes
- Serve with a fresh salad or roasted veggies for a balanced meal.
- Swap buttermilk with dairy-free milk + lemon juice for a dairy-free option.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 494 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 110mg