Chick-fil-A chicken tastes amazing, I’ll give it that. But with MSG and a bunch of other junk added, it’s just not on my “good” list. My kids said these chicken strips are “as good as Chick-fil-A’s!” Out of the mouths of babes. And so much better for you, too!
Pin it for later!
Recipe: Chick-fil-A Rival Chicken Strips (serves a family of 7)
3 lbs chicken tenderloins (skinless)
3 TBSP olive oil
juice of 1/2 a lemon
1 TBSP paprika
1 TBSP garlic salt
1/4 cup tapioca flour or arrowroot starch
1/2 cup coconut oil
In a large bowl, combine chicken, olive oil, lemon juice, paprika, garlic salt and tapioca flour. Heat coconut oil in a cast iron skillet or other large skillet (cast iron works best here, though) over medium-high heat and add pieces of chicken. Don’t crowd the chicken! Fry for about 3 minutes on each side, until no longer pink inside. Remove to paper towels to drain, and repeat as needed. Eat promptly.
Like what you read? Sign up here and get my Top 10 Recipes ebook for free!
Amy says
I use 2/3 garbanzo bean flour and 1/3 Tapioca flour. I use the nutty flavor that garbanzo brings! I haven’t tried the coconut oil for frying the chicken but I bet is yummy I will have to try that!
Toni says
Would arrowroot flour work in place of the tapioca starch?
radlandon says
Yes!
AK says
YUM! Can’t wait to try this! I love CFA! Could you come up with a recipe for the CFA sauce as well … I’m addicted to both the strips and the sauce! Thanks!!
radlandon says
Oooh, good idea! I’m gonna have to work on this!
AK says
Thank you! And my kids love the polynesian sauce, if you have any suggestions. We are true addicts over here, and your recipe looks fantastic. Thank you!
audmeighan says
I made these last night and hubby and I both agree they are WAY better than CFA! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!
audmeighan says
Oh–and they’re so flavorful we didn’t need any sauce.
radlandon says
Yay! Thanks for posting an update!
Alissa says
Thanks for this recipe! We are in love with Chick-fil-A sauce over here and have found a super yummy at home recipe that is paleo approved. We use it for a salad dressing too…mmm! Do not follow her nugget recipe but her sauce is awesome!
http://www.tablefortwoblog.com/2012/02/27/chick-fuh-lay-nuggets-sauce/
AK says
Thank you, will give it a try!! 🙂
Peggy says
Could you freeze this to heat up later? If so would you freeze them before or after cooking?
radlandon says
Hi, Peggy. For best results, I would freeze them before cooking, just so you can have the “crispiness” that comes with cooking them fresh. Although I’m sure if you had to, you can freeze them after, I just haven’t tried it…hope that helps!
Dee says
Hi, I’m wondering if coconut flour would work in place of tapioca flour?
radlandon says
Hi, Dee. I have not tried coconut flour, but you could definitely give it a go and let me know how it turns out!
Dee says
I think I may try it out this weekend 🙂 Will let you know how it turns out; I’m hoping great!
Kathi says
I was wondering how the chicken strips turned out using coconut flour.
Nikki Wilcox says
These were fabulous! My entire family loved them. They were so yummy that we didn’t even use sauce. I was out of coconut oil, so I fried them in grapeseed oil instead. I’m sending you a private facebook message. My kids loved these so much that they wanted to make a video to thank you. 🙂
Tina says
Ah…Chick-fil-a…the one place my kids miss the most. i’m gonna make these on Valentine’s Day as a surprise to them. Thanks Shanti!
Becky says
Do you have tips for helping this to not stick to a cast iron skillet? Mine turned into a stuck to the pan mess. Still tasted awesome; just hoping it’s a little easier next time 🙂
radlandon says
Hmm, I’m not sure why it would stick? Did you have plenty of oil? My oil was probably a 1/4″ thick on the bottom of the pan, so it could actually be “fried” on each side. Hoping it was just the amount of oil needing to be increased… Let me know!
Kris says
My husband taught me that if you have your oil hot enough and the right temp then food will not stick. I was cooking shrimp that stuck and when he cooked the same recipe a few days later they did not stick.
Chrissy says
Yum!!!!! Big hit with the family!!!
Debbie says
I made this tonight for dinner and I couldn’t stop eating them. I’m already plotting how to use the leftovers for my breakfast. Even my picky eater daughter tried one and loved it. She even tried to convince her picky eater dad to try it.
Celia says
I’m not exactly familiar with the alternative flours and starches you were referencing above, but the recipe sounds fabulous and simple enough that my picky husband would love it. Would regular flour be okay to substitute? I know, not a smart substitution, but I’d rather not have to buy any special ingredients I wouldn’t know how to use for anything else.
radlandon says
Hi, Celia! Tapioca flour is usually very cheap, if that helps. I never use wheat flour in my recipes since my husband has Celiac disease. If you are good with wheat, feel free to try it, though!
Tara says
WOAH! Ok, new to paleo and discovered this last night. I made it tonight, and since I always go for the spicy option instead of the regular, I subbed out the paprika for 1/2 Tablespoon of chili powder and 1/2 Tablespoon of cayenne. Also, since I’m cooking for just 1, I only used a pound of chicken instead of 3, but didn’t make any adjustment in any of the measurements by mistake, and it came out fantasticly! I had it in a homemade tapioca flour paleo tortilla with garlic, salt and cayenne roasted parsnips and carrots, topped with Greek yogurt/sriracha sauce, avocado, and fresh cilantro. AMAZING!!! Can’t wait to devour the leftovers for lunch tomorrow. Thank you so much!!
Katie says
Delicious!!
sarah says
Do you think you could bake these instead of frying? Looks great!
Life Made Full says
Hi, Sarah! You could definitely try that! I don’t know that they will be quite as crispy, though. If you try it, please let me know how they turn out!
Lauren says
My two year old loves these thank you for this healthier version!
Life Made Full says
Awesome! Thanks for letting me know!
Andrea Patton says
These were AMAZING!! They were so flavorful that my family didn’t even want to use any dipping sauce. THANK YOU!!
Shanti Landon says
Yay! So happy you liked them!