Cashew Crusted Chicken

5 from 2 votes
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Crispy cashew crusted chicken tenders are a huge hit with my family. They are savory, crispy and baked aka healthier than your average deep fried tenders but with all the crunch! Your whole family will love these, kids included and they are ready in 30 minutes or less.

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Why Make This Cashew Crusted Chicken

These crispy chicken tenders are healthy, but still full of flavor. They are baked, not fried. They have a light nutty coating that is allergy and diet friendly. These are Paleo approved!

These crispy chicken tenders have minimal ingredients! You won’t need to make a huge mess! only a slightly small one.

This is an EASY recipe. Kids can help, and he whole family will enjoy. Any novice in the kitchen can bake these crispy chicken tenders.

Ingredients Needed

ingredients for the crispy chicken.

Chicken Breast. Boneless and skinless, thawed chicken breasts.

Soy sauce or coconut aminos. This adds an unami flavor. Either condiment will work but don’t skip this! You can also use tamari.

Nuts. You will need almonds and cashews. You can certainly use only 1 of the 2 nuts, I like the mix because the cashews are softer then the almonds but the almonds give it a little more color and crunch.

Coconut. Unsweetened! You can skip this if you don’t like coconut! I just love the flavor it adds.

Eggs. To drudge the chicken in.

Seasonings.

How To Make This Recipe

Steps to make crispy chicken

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350. In a food processor add raw cashews, almonds, coconut shreds, onion, garlic, salt, pepper flakes. Pulse until it is a crumbly consistency. Transfer to a shallow bowl or plate.

Step 2: In a medium sized bowl whisk together egg, water, soy sauce or aminos. Rinse and cut chicken breasts into tenders. Pat dry with a paper towel. Drudge chicken through egg wash, followed by the nut and coconut mix. Be sure to cover the entire tender. Lay each tender flat on a parchment lined cooking sheet. 

Steps to make crispy chicken before baking.

Step 3: Bake in oven for 16 – 18 minutes. Be sure to check the thickest piece to be sure it is cooked through. Serve with veggies, fries or rice and dipping sauce of choice!

Baked Crispy Chicken Tenders. With Dijon Mustard Dipping.

FAQs & Tips.

I have a nut allergy can I use only cashews?

Yes! You can use all cashews or all almonds if you are allergic to one or the other.

I don’t have coconut aminos what else can I use?

Soy sauce, tamari or if you don’t have either of those just use a little extra salt, about 1/2 tsp.

What can I dip these in?

anything and everything. Ketchup, BBQ, Mustard, Dijon, Wing Sauce.

Can I make these in the air fryer?

You can! If you do, cook it at 390 for 16 minutes. I don’t love this method of cooking because the “crust” will stick to the air fryer but it still works great!

Crispy Chicken Tenders
5 from 2 votes

Cashew Crusted Chicken Tenders

Crispy cashew crusted baked chicken tenders. Much healthier than your typical deep fried tenders and way more tasty! Ready in 30 minutes or less.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 17 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast
  • ½ cup raw cashews , *
  • ½ cup raw almonds
  • ½ cup coconut shreds
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350. In a food processor add raw cashews, almonds, coconut shreds, onion, garlic, salt, pepper flakes. Pulse until it is a crumbly consistency. Transfer to a shallow bowl or plate.
  • In a medium sized bowl whisk together egg, water, soy sauce or aminos. Rinse and cut chicken breasts into tenders. Pat dry with a paper towel. Drudge chicken through egg wash, followed by the nut and coconut mix. Be sure to cover the entire tender. Lay each tender flat on a parchment lined cooking sheet. 
  • Bake in oven for 16 – 18 minutes. Be sure to check the thickest piece to be sure it is cooked through. Serve with veggies, fries or rice and dipping sauce of choice!

Notes

If you have an allergy or dislike cashews or almonds, you can sub 1 whole cup of just almonds or 1 cup of cashews. I prefer the mixture but these crispy chicken tenders will still be delicious with just one nut! 
Soy sauce, coconut aminos or Kamari will work! 

Nutrition

Calories: 559kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 59g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 227mg | Sodium: 844mg | Potassium: 1183mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 187IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Bailey
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 17 minutes
Course: dinner, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 559
Keyword: 30 minute
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