Crispy Gluten-Free Baked Chicken

Crispy Gluten-Free Baked Chicken recipe is breaded in almond flour and parmesan for an easy weeknight dinner the whole family will enjoy! Turn almond flour chicken into many gluten-free chicken recipes, such as chicken nuggets, tenders, or breaded chicken breasts using simple kitchen pantry ingredients. 

Baked gluten-free breaded chicken

This gluten-free chicken recipe is the perfect versatile dish when the craving strikes for parmesan chicken, chicken nuggets, tenders, or even healthier version of fried chicken. The almond flour breading is gluten-free, low carb, and grain-free to fit in a variety of diets, yet still tastes deliciously indulgent.  

With only a few ingredients needed, 15 minutes of prep, and 20 minutes of cook time – this oven baked gluten-free breaded chicken is great to make when you want to serve something delicious, but don’t want to have to spend hours in the kitchen. 

Ingredients needed

Serve the chicken breasts as is with lemon wedges and a side of veggies, or use for gluten-free chicken parmesan, picatta, serve on fettuccine alfredo, lemon chicken pasta, or sliced on salads. 

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts – butterfly and pound into cutlets, cut into tenders, or nuggets  
• Olive oil
• Almond flour or almond meal – If you have gluten-free bread crumbs on hand, these may also be substituted. But, if you love recipes using almond flour, check out this complete, free resource!
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Dried tarragon
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Paprika – Or try smoked paprika, which also adds a great flavor!

How To Make this Gluten-Free Chicken Recipe

I generally shy away from breading chicken and meat because I hate how time consuming and messy the process is. However, this technique is as simple as shake and bake chicken, which is also the technique used for oven breaded pork chops.

The shake and bake breading also has the added bonus of being gluten-free and low carb, just like pesto mozzarella chicken!

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF. Grease a pan with olive oil and set aside. 
2. Begin by butterflying your chicken breasts into chicken cutlets (see below to learn how to make chicken cutlets).
3. Mix together the almond flour, grated parmesan, tarragon, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper with a fork. 
4. After you are finished mixing, drizzle the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil over the chicken breast cutlets, nuggets, or tenders and toss until they are all evenly coated. 
5. Then, you will place one chicken cutlet at a time into the almond flour mixture. Press down slightly and use the fork to flip the cutlet over and coat the other side. Once both sides are evenly coated, transfer the chicken onto the greased baking sheet. Repeat with each cutlet until all of them are coated with the mixture and ready to be baked. 
6. Bake for 10 minutes and then flip the cutlets and continue to bake for 5-10 minutes more, or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF. Serve the crispy almond flour breaded chicken immediately with lemon wedges and your favorite sides. 

How To Make Chicken Cutlets from breasts 

Almond Flour Chicken uses chicken cutlets rather than breasts to reduce cooking time. Chicken cutlets are boneless, skinless breasts that have been cut to make two thinner halves.

Some gluten-free chicken recipes, such as Spinach Artichoke Chicken, leave the deep slit without cutting through to make a stuffed chicken pocket. Recipes such as this one, Baked Buffalo Chicken or Low Carb Sun Dried Tomato Chicken uses butterflied chicken cut through to make thinner cutlets.

You may purchase thin-cut chicken cutlets or buy breasts and make your own.

1. First make a deep slit in the middle of the breast, lengthwise.
2. Cut all the way across until you almost reach other side, so it will open like a book.
3. If you need thinner cutlets, like for this recipe, cut down the middle of the crease. You end up with two, thinner thickness halves.
4. To make sure the chicken breasts cook evenly they should be even thickness throughout. At this point use a meat tenderizer to pound the chicken into even thickness. If you don’t have a meat tenderizer mallet, gently pounding with a rolling pin will also work. 

Can I Use Something Besides Chicken Cutlets?

Yes, you may use chicken thighs (both bone-in and boneless), drumsticks, or chicken breasts. Depending on what type of meat you use, the cooking time may vary. Use a meat thermometer to be sure the meat has cooked to 165ºF. 

• Chicken breasts – Bake 30 minutes at 350ºF, flipping halfway through. A thicker breast will take more time to cook than a thinner breast, so be sure to check the internal temperature. 
• Bone-in chicken thighs – Bake 40-45 minutes at 400ºF. Check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the thigh.
• Boneless chicken thighs – Bake 40-45 minutes at 375ºF. Check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the thigh.
• Chicken drumsticks – Bake 20-25 minutes at 425ºF. Turn the drumstick over halfway through of baking. A meat thermometer should read 165ºF when inserted near the bone. 

Is breaded Gluten-Free Chicken Healthy?

This gluten-free chicken recipe is not only mouth watering good, but mimics the taste of fried chicken without the calories. Baking the chicken is a healthier alternative than deep frying it in oil.

Thanks to the use of almond flour or meal, this recipe is also low carb and keto-friendly. With only 2 grams of carbohydrates and 232 calories per serving, you can eat this crispy baked chicken and not feel guilty afterward. 

If you prefer a different oil rather than olive oil, try using avocado oil, Ghee, sunflower oil, or for a more tropical flavor – give coconut oil a try. 

Making Nuggets or Tenders

Transform this recipe into a kid and family-friendly dinner! Almond flour chicken is easily adaptable to make homemade gluten-free chicken nuggets or tenders! Because this recipe is so simple, it’s also the perfect meal to have the kids make with you.

Serve with ranch, BBQ ranch, or honey mustard for dipping.

How to make chicken nuggets:  

Cut each breast into nugget-size pieces before placing them in the almond flour parmesan breading. Boneless thighs may also be used, but will take a few minutes longer to bake.

Coat the nuggets with olive oil and breading, then place on greased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes at 425ºF. Flip each nugget over and bake 5 minutes longer, or until cooked through. 

How to make chicken tenders: 

Cut the pounded chicken cutlets into smaller strips, making tenders. Alternatively, use chicken breast tenderloins.

Coat chicken with olive oil, then dip in breading. Transfer breaded chicken tenders to greased baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 400ºF. Flip each tender over and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until cooked through. 

Almond Flour Gluten-Free Chicken Parmesan

Use this breaded chicken recipe as base for almond flour, low carb, and gluten free chicken parmesan. Instead of adding the seasonings listed, follow the seasoning ingredients in this gluten-free chicken parm recipe.   

For even more low carb parmesan chicken, skip the breading as in this chicken parmesan recipe without breadcrumbs. 

Can I Use Something Besides Almond Flour to Bread the Chicken?

If you don’t have almond flour handy, you can most definitely use something else to bread the chicken. Consider any one of the following options:

• Bread crumbs (Panko, Italian or plain to name a few. If you desire to keep the recipe gluten free, be sure you are using a gluten-free bread crumbs.)
• Almond meal or see gluten-free pork chops recipe for more alternatives
• Coconut flour
• Crushed potato chips
• Crushed cereal, like corn or rice Chex or Cornflakes (Please note, most cornflake brands are not gluten free, so read label carefully.)
• Gluten-free pretzels (Instead of crushing, consider processing them in a food processor until they are a fine consistency.)
• Gluten-free crackers

Can I Make this in an Air Fryer?

Using an air fryer to bake the chicken is also an option to save on time.

1. Preheat air fryer to 390ºF. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. To avoid overcrowding the chicken and keeping the breading crispy, you may have to work in batches.
2. Place breaded chicken in prepared basket and cook for 5 minutes. Flip chicken over and bake for an additional 4-7 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken.
3. Remove and keep warm while the remaining chicken is cooked. 

Side dishes to serve with it

Almond Flour Chicken is not only low carb, but also perfect for a keto diet. To keep the entire meal low carb, serve with one of these delicious low carb side dishes.

• Roasted Zucchini
• Marinated Green Bean Salad
• 7 Layer Salad
• Harvest Salad
• Oven Roasted Cabbage Steaks

Click here to see the step-by-step web story instructions for this recipe!

More Gluten-Free Chicken Recipes 

• Sun Dried Tomato Chicken (Creamy LOW CARB Chicken) – Sun Dried Tomato Chicken is a quick, one pan chicken skillet recipe with bold rich flavors like sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic and artichokes in a parmesan cream sauce.
• Easy Homemade Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings – Easy Homemade Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings are a thick, creamy bowl of comfort made in the pressure cooker or crockpot. This from scratch recipe is easily adaptable to make the best gluten free chicken and dumplings as well!
• Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili – Slow Cooker Buffalo (or Instant Pot!) Chicken Chili has the perfect amount of spice, a smooth creamy base, lots of tender chicken, and takes only 10 minutes to prepare. Be ready to win chili contests and hand out the recipe because this is the best chili you’ll ever make!
• Buffalo Chicken Salad – Turn those beloved buffalo wings into a quick and easy Buffalo Chicken Salad recipe. Dive into a large bowl of buffalo chicken, chopped lettuce, celery, bacon, peppers, and blue cheese crumbles drizzled with ranch dressing.
• Gluten Free Sweet and Sour Chicken – Make this easy dish at home with one pan, no frying, and a sticky, tangy gluten free sweet sour sauce coating golden, crispy chicken.

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