These crispy paleo chicken nuggets are made with almond flour and simple seasonings, then pan fried until golden and crunchy. Gluten free, dairy free, and Whole30 compliant, plus an easy air fryer option!
*This recipes was updated February 2026 with new photos, a tweak to the ingredients for maximum crispiness and an air fryer option too! My youngest son is now almost 15 and still absolutely loves these! P.S. Links have also been updated since I did wind up creating recipes for paleo pizza, mac and cheese (no cauliflower!) and even chicken parmesan 🙂
Even now that my kids have been eating mostly paleo at home for over a year, when I ask them for dinner ideas they’ll still come back with things like “baked mac and cheese” “chicken parm” “pizza” “baked ziti” and “chicken nuggets.”
I think they all figure that since I can make a paleo version of a lot of old favorites, that I can make anything paleo.
As in say a blessing and BAM, paleo mac and cheese.
And yes, I realize that there are people that DO make all these things paleo (I hang around Pinterest now after all), but realistically on a weeknight making these a paleo pizza worth eating would be quite the stretch. Remember my Taco Salad from Tuesday? Easy is the rule lately.
Truth is, I’m pretty certain they’d want no part of ACTUAL paleo mac and cheese, like with cauliflower or something.
Not bashing it for anyone, but I know my family and they would not stand for it. Gluten free we could all handle I think, but that’s for another day and now I’m off topic.
The chicken nuggets I knew I could pull off though.
If I’ve made crispy paleo breaded chicken before, I can certainly make it in nugget form.
I wanted to simplify it though to the best of my ability, and with this recipe it all came together.
While it does get messy, there are only a few ingredients and a simple method – the same that many people use to make breaded chicken cutlets.
I whipped these up for lunch while my girls were home last week in under 20 minutes and we all absolutely loved them!
What You Need to Make These Gluten Free & Paleo Chicken Nuggets
Super simple ingredients are all you need for these gluten free dairy free nuggets!
- chicken tenderloins
- almond flour
- tapioca flour or arrowroot
- fine grain sea salt
- smoked paprika
- onion powder
- black pepper
- large egg
- light olive oil ghee refined coconut oil or avocado oil, for frying
How to Make These Paleo Chicken Nuggets in a Skillet
Cut the chicken tenderloins into 1-2 inch bites sized pieces and set aside
In a shallow dish, combine the almond flour, tapioca, salt, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper and mix well to combine the flavors
In another shallow dish, whisk the egg with 2 teaspoons water. Heat a large skillet over medium to medium heat and add the oil or ghee.
You should have about 1/4” of oil in the skillet. Before adding the chicken, make sure the oil is hot enough by dropping a bit of almond flour in the pan to see if it sizzles.
Since the chicken bites are small, you can dredge several at a time and it will come out fine.
Take the chicken and coat lightly in the egg, then coat with the almond flour mixture, shaking off extra. Immediately add to the hot skillet.
Let the chicken cook about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until just cooked through. You will have to fry in 2 batches most likely. Adjust the heat to avoid burning the outside and add more oil or ghee to the pan if you need to for the second batch.
Transfer to a paper towel lined dish to drain excess oil, then serve hot! These are great dipped in ranch, ketchup or honey mustard!
How to Make These Paleo Chicken Nuggets in the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.Preheating helps the coating crisp immediately instead of drying out.
Lightly spray the basket with avocado oil.
Arrange the coated chicken nuggets in a single layer, leaving space between each piece, cook in batches if needed.
Lightly spray the tops of the nuggets with avocado oil spray. This step is key for golden color and crispiness.
Air fry at 400°F for 9–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown, crisp on the outside, internal temperature reaches 165°F
Let rest 2–3 minutes before serving to allow the coating to set, then enjoy!
Crispy Paleo Chicken Nuggets (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 1 1/4 almond flour
- 1/2 tapioca flour or arrowroot
- 1 1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 large egg whisked
- 1/4 cup light olive oil or ghee or refined coconut oil, or avocado oil for frying - you may need a bit more as you fry
Instructions
-
Cut the chicken tenderloins into 1-2 inch bites sized pieces and set aside
-
In a shallow dish, combine the almond flour, tapioca, salt, smoked paprika, onion powder, and black pepper and mix well to combine the flavors
-
In another shallow dish, whisk the egg with 2 teaspoons water. Heat a large skillet over medium to medium heat and add the oil or ghee. You should have about 1/4” of oil in the skillet. Before adding the chicken, make sure the oil is hot enough by dropping a bit of almond flour in the pan to see if it sizzles.
-
Since the chicken bites are small, you can dredge several at a time and it will come out fine. Take the chicken and coat lightly in the egg, then coat with the almond flour mixture, shaking off extra. Immediately add to the hot skillet.
-
Let the chicken cook about 2-3minutes on each side, or until just cooked through. You will have to fry in 2 batches most likely. Adjust the heat to avoid burning the outside and add more oil or ghee to the pan if you need to for the second batch.
-
Transfer to a paper towel lined dish to drain excess oil, then serve hot! These are great dipped in ranch, ketchup or honey mustard!
Recipe Notes
Air Fryer Method:
Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
Preheating helps the coating crisp immediately instead of drying out.
Lightly spray the basket with avocado oil.
Arrange the coated chicken nuggets in a single layer, leaving space between each piece, cook in batches if needed.
Lightly spray the tops of the nuggets with avocado oil spray.
This step is key for golden color and crispiness.
Air fry at 400°F for 9–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until:
Golden brown
Crisp on the outside
Internal temperature reaches 165°F
Let rest 2–3 minutes before serving to allow the coating to set.
Nutrition
Want More Kid Friendly Paleo Dinner Recipes? Try One of These!
Easy Weeknight Meatballs in Sauce
There is so much debate out there about whether or not creating paleo renditions of foods is a good thing. I just think that if it makes you happy and it works for you- go for it. My mom often makes ‘paleo’ style versions of brownies and cookies and I ain’t complaining.
I would definitely go with the chicken nugget and ketchup combo. I think ketchup goes good with everything ;).
When I started out with paleo I was on the “don’t do it” side of that debate, but, I’ve loosened up since 🙂 Now I just think of it as making tasty treats using things I’m eating anyway. If the brownie tastes good AND it’s made with coconut oil, score!
Honey mustard is at the top of my list!
Just made it actually, and recipe will be up next week!
Kids are so high maintenance! Who do they think they are?!?! Lol… 🙂 This recipe looks good, Michele. Your kiddos are lucky to have you for their mama.
That’s so sweet! Thanks 🙂
Chicken coated in anything, may it be nuggets or tenders or a chicken breast. I’ll take all those dips. Ketchup, bbq, honey mustard, (vegan) ranch 😉 But ketchup will always be numero uno!
I still have to try out your bbq sauce! Ketchup is the favorite around here still, as you know 🙂
Thanks for this recipe! I love love love this paleo pizza recipe. I have been making this for over 2 years now.
http://zenbellycatering.com/2013/08/20/ny-style-paleo-pizza-crust-yes-really/
I will check that out, thanks!
These look so good! That reminds me, I haven’t had chicken nuggets in soo long! I need to make these 🙂
Hope you try them!
YUMMM! These look amazing for kids and adults alike! Straight to pinterest with this one 🙂
Awesome, thanks! Hope you try them 🙂
I made these last night and my ENTIRE family devoured them!! I have a 1 and 3 year old and they both asked for more! I make tons of paleo style meals but they are really hit or miss. My husband kept complementing me over and over again and told me I need to put this recipe in our rotation 🙂
That’s awesome, so happy to hear!!
This recipe is just out of this world! I’ve made it twice now, and it will be my go-to chicken nugget recipe. Only change is that I find I only need about 1 cup almond flour. Thanks for the amazing recipe!
That’s awesome! So glad to hear it 🙂
These sound really nice. Thanks for sharing this.
Simon