Chick-fil-A Rival Chicken Strips
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!
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.
22 Comments
Amy
January 30, 2013I 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
January 30, 2013Would arrowroot flour work in place of the tapioca starch?
radlandon
January 30, 2013Yes!
AK
January 30, 2013YUM! 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
January 30, 2013Oooh, good idea! I’m gonna have to work on this!
AK
January 30, 2013Thank 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
January 31, 2013I made these last night and hubby and I both agree they are WAY better than CFA! Thanks for a wonderful recipe!
audmeighan
January 31, 2013Oh–and they’re so flavorful we didn’t need any sauce.
radlandon
January 31, 2013Yay! Thanks for posting an update!
Alissa
February 1, 2013Thanks 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
February 1, 2013Thank you, will give it a try!!
Peggy
February 3, 2013Could you freeze this to heat up later? If so would you freeze them before or after cooking?
radlandon
February 4, 2013Hi, 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
February 6, 2013Hi, I’m wondering if coconut flour would work in place of tapioca flour?
radlandon
February 7, 2013Hi, Dee. I have not tried coconut flour, but you could definitely give it a go and let me know how it turns out!
Dee
February 7, 2013I think I may try it out this weekend
Will let you know how it turns out; I’m hoping great!
Nikki Wilcox
February 8, 2013These 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
February 12, 2013Ah…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
February 13, 2013Do 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
February 13, 2013Hmm, 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!
Chrissy
March 5, 2013Yum!!!!! Big hit with the family!!!
Debbie
March 22, 2013I 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.