Healthy baked chicken strips with no breading with a buffalo ranch coating packed with flavor. These are paleo, gluten free, low carb and keto approved in these juicy, flavor packed chicken tender recipe. Kid approved so your family will love you for making this healthy dinner recipe!
Recently, I worked up an almond flour chicken tender recipe that was breaded, spiced and delicious. I wanted to give it another shot without breading to see if I could make it as good. Of course I succeeded! Using a ranch seasoning and simple buffalo sauce made wonders. A much different recipe than my buffalo chicken thighs were I created a spice rub. Here we get nothing but that garlic loved flavor that comes with ranch seasoning.
Is Chicken Healthy
This is not a straight forward question for one individual. Yet, simply put yes it is. When it comes to allergic reactions they are very minimus in meat sources. In fact, an easy way to see what you’re allergic to is to take everything out except meat. Where the chicken comes from is a factor. Whether or not the chicken was pasture raised meaning it had free roam. Also, whether the chicken was pumped full of hormones as well.
How To Make Healthy Baked Chicken Strips
To start, make your marinade of a ranch seasoning and buffalo sauce. I like to use Primal Kitchen products but any buffalo sauce will do. As far as ranch seasoning I use this one or for something quick I will just pick up a pack of Hidden Valley seasoning.
In a mixing bowl add marinade and chicken strips. Mix around and make sure everything is evenly coated.
On an oven rack or onto a baking sheet lay down chicken strips giving space between each. This insures no sticking. The rack however will allow air flow and will keep the chicken juices from washing away any flavoring.
Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes. Strips will be done and juicy. You can serve immediately but note they will be hot. Dip in more buffalo sauce or a ranch dressing.
Helpful Recipe Tips
- Take note of the salt/sodium levels in your ranch seasoning. Any buffalo sauce you choose unless homemade will be very salty. The seasoning I used in this recipe was salt free so I added 1/2 tsp of salt. If I used Hidden Valley I wouldn’t dare use any salt at all.
- Oven rack or baking sheet? You can make this recipe with either. Due to no breading, using a oven rack will not produce a crispy chicken strip. I like the oven rack for more even cooking.
Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
Healthy buffalo ranch baked chicken strips
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders/strips
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
Chicken Tender Sauce Topping
- 2 tablespoon buffalo sauce
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
- Mix together ranch seasoing and buffalo sauce to create a marinade
- Toss chicken in marinade and coat evenly. Cover and place in refrigerator for at least and hour or overnight
- Remove from marinade, no need to drain any excess sauce off. Place on oven rack or baking sheet without crowding the chicken
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Remove and top off with additional sauce (not the sauce from marinade) by giving each tender a brushing.
Notes
Helpful Recipe Tips
- Take note of the salt/sodium levels in your ranch seasoning. Any buffalo sauce you choose unless homemade will be very salty. The seasoning I used in this recipe was salt free so I added 1/2 tsp of salt. If I used Hidden Valley I wouldn't dare use any salt at all.
- Oven rack or baking sheet? You can make this recipe with either. Due to no breading, using a oven rack will not produce a crispy chicken strip. I like the oven rack for more even cooking.
My family and I make these all the time, they are delicious and soooo easy! Love a side of cauliflower rice on the side to soak up the sauce. 🤤 great recipe