Drool Worthy Oven Baked Crispy Chicken Tenders
As far back as I can remember breaded chicken was a staple in my family’s diet. Breaded chicken (Schnitzel), mashed potatoes, and coleslaw for dinner almost every night. A total feast for Candida when I look back at it now…
After deciding to cut gluten, and anything wheat, out from my diet I had to kiss my beloved tasty traditional chicken schnitzel recipe goodbye…
Until I came up with this healthy gluten-free recipe which is far better than the original.
Why Gluten Free?
Today’s hybridized strain of wheat is a toxic Franken-food masquerading itself as a food source. There are over 200 clinically confirmed reasons to eliminate wheat from your diet. These include:
1. Gliadin (a protein in gluten) triggers an immune response in your body causing leaky gut and systemic inflammation.
2. Antibodies for gluten are created by the immune system which can go on to attack other organs and systems in your body, such as your skin, thyroid, villi in your intestines, and evenyour brain.
3. Anti-gliadin antibodies can bind to Purkinje cells, found in the cerebellum of the brain, which are responsible for motor coordination. This can permanently affect motor function.
4. A number of studies indicate that wheat can have a detrimental effect on mood, promote depression and contribute to serious mental disorders such as schizophrenia.
5. Morphine-like compounds are created as your body attempts to digest the complex modified wheat proteins. These compounds react with opiate receptors in the brain, creating an addiction similar to that caused by heroin, morphine and other opiate drugs. This creates an appetite for more and more wheat, contributing to food cravings and overeating.
6. Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), these sticky glycoproteins cause your red blood cells to form clumps, a process called agglutination. Your blood carries oxygen and nutrients to your cells and take carbon dioxide and other wastes away from your cells. When your red blood cells are agglutinated, it inhibits this process and reduces the efficiency of nutrient delivery and waste removal. This is a leading cause for coronary heart disease and stroke.
7. WGA also binds to your intestinal lining, again increasing leaky gut and reducing absorption of nutrients and causing mineral and nutrient deficiencies.
8. WGA can also bind to your insulin receptors and contribute to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
9. Wheat also has a very high glycemic index, such that eating two slices of bread will raise blood sugar more than eating a candy bar! This is a perfect fuel source for Candida!
Who Should Avoid Wheat & Gluten
Naturally if you care about your health the least bit, regardless if you are fighting off Candida or not, you will want to move towards a gluten free/wheat free diet.
People who are already battling a chronic condition such as…
– unexplained digestive issues, bloating, IBS, food allergies
– mood disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar, schizophrenia
– skin conditions: eczema, psoriasis, acne
– autoimmune conditions and metabolic disorders
… can find great relief from their symptoms and can look forward to an epic improvement in their health and energy levels once they remove gluten and wheat from their diet.
“Gluten-Free” Products Are Just As Bad
Just because something is labeled as “gluten-free” doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a healthier choice. Often times clever food companies slap this label on box of questionable ingredients as a mere marketing technique because of the recent health trend that ‘gluten-free’ has become.
These products are usually packed with fillers, GMO corn starch, xantham gum, malts, soy, starches, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), texturized vegetable protein (TVP), natural flavoring. None of which you want in your body.
And one of the intentions behind going gluten free when fighting off Candida is to eliminate its starchy fuel source. Going for ‘gluten free’ flours that contain potato, chickpea and/or rice will still feed Candida.
Rather than buying pre-mixed flours its best to make alternative flours at home from safe ingredients. Coconut flour and nut flours work great!
Here’s the recipe for oven baked crispy chicken tenders
Ingredients for Crispy Batter
– 1 egg
– 4 tbsp ground flaxseed
– 3 tbsp almond flour
– 1 or 2 chicken breasts cut into thin 1/2 inch thick slices.
Additional spices or herbs:
1/2 -1 tsp of each: cayenne, paprika, cumin, turmeric, sea salt, pepper.
You can play around and use whatever spices, try turmeric, thyme and rosemary, garlic, ginger. Also different ground nuts such as sunflower seeds and walnut work great in the batter as well.
*When using flaxseeds do NOT fry on high heat, always use the oven. Their oils will go rancid and cause inflammation in the body. Instead you can tweak this recipe and use coconut flour and cook the schnitzel in ghee or coconut oil on a frying man.
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven at 300F.
2. Crack the egg into a bowl, whip, and set aside.
2. Mix all the dry ingredients and spices on a large plate.
3. Cut your chicken breast into 1/2 inch thick strips. Dip it into the egg, then the spice mix, then place onto a buttered backing pan, parchment paper, or in a glass casserole dish.
4. Bake for 15 mins, flip, bake for another 8-10 minutes on the other side. You can slice open the chicken to see if it’s cooked all the way through before pull it out. Thinner strips will cook faster and sometimes you won’t even need to flip the chicken.
Serve on top of a salad, with stir fry veggies, or between 2 portobello mushrooms to make a burger.
Bon appetite!
Aga Postawska, HHC