PCOS-Friendly Dinner

Crispy Chicken Tenders - PCOS-Friendly Recipe

Delicious and healthy crispy chicken tenders made with almond flour.

30 minutes
2 servings
350 cal / serving

This Crispy Chicken Tenders is a PCOS-friendly recipe with 350 calories, 30g protein, and 20g carbs per serving. Ready in 30 minutes. High in fiber (3g), which supports insulin sensitivity.

Nutrition per Serving

350 Calories
30g Protein
20g Carbs
15g Fat
Grocery list: Chicken breasts, almond flour, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, egg, olive oil. Low GI ingredients: Almond flour (GI=0), chicken (GI=0), olive oil (GI=0).
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Ingredients

Servings 2

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

  2. Cut chicken into strips.

  3. In a bowl, mix almond flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

  4. Beat the egg in a separate bowl.

  5. Dip each chicken strip into the egg, then coat in the flour mixture.

  6. Place on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.

  7. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and crispy.

Why this works for PCOSTHE USUAL VERSIONTHIS RECIPERefined white flourHigh GI, spikes blood sugarNut / legume flourLower GI, adds protein and fibreVegetable / seed oilPro-inflammatory omega-6Olive / avocado oilAnti-inflammatory fatsPER SERVING350 cal · 30g protein · 3g fibre · 1g sugarPCOS Meal Planner · pcosmealplanner.com
Smart swaps that keep this a treat while staying low-GI and PCOS-friendly. Macros are per serving.
These crispy chicken tenders are a delicious and healthy dinner option for those with PCOS. The use of almond flour instead of traditional flour lowers the carb content and the GI, making it a great choice for blood sugar control. The chicken provides a good source of lean protein, while the olive oil adds healthy monounsaturated fats. This recipe is quick and easy to prepare, offering a sense of empowerment and control over your diet.

Why this Crispy Chicken Tenders works for PCOS

With 30g of protein per serving (about 34% of calories), this Crispy Chicken Tenders sits at the top end of the 25-35g per-meal range that the 2023 International PCOS Guideline recommends for managing insulin resistance and supporting lean mass. Higher-protein meals also blunt the glucose response when carbohydrates are included, which matters for women with PCOS because chronic insulin elevation drives androgen excess and irregular cycles.

At 20g of carbohydrates per serving, this Crispy Chicken Tenders is on the lower-carb end, which suits women with PCOS who have confirmed insulin resistance or who notice strong post-meal energy crashes. Pair lower-carb meals like this with a generous portion of non-starchy vegetables to keep fibre intake up.

Fat makes up about 39% of calories in this dish. Dietary fat plays a load-bearing role in PCOS because sex hormones are synthesised from cholesterol, and very-low-fat eating can suppress hormone production over time. The 2023 PCOS guideline does not specify a strict fat target, but most clinicians recommend at least 25-35% of calories from a mix of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated sources.

Evening meals affect overnight insulin and morning blood sugar more than most women realise. Keeping dinner protein-forward and finishing eating at least 2-3 hours before bed gives your body time to clear glucose before the overnight fast, which improves morning fasting insulin readings.

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Take the 60-Second Quiz Tell us your PCOS type, preferences, and goals
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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this Crispy Chicken Tenders recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly. At 350 calories per serving with 30g of protein, it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health. It also provides 3g of fiber, which helps with insulin sensitivity.

This recipe takes about 30 minutes total. Prep time is 10 minutes and cook time is 20 minutes. It makes 2 servings, so you can meal prep for multiple days.

Per serving: 350 calories, 30g protein (34%), 20g carbs, 15g fat. Plus 3g fiber. PCOS meal plans typically aim for 30% protein, 35% fat, 35% carbs to support insulin sensitivity.

Yes, this recipe works well as a PCOS-friendly Dinner. At 350 calories, it fits within typical PCOS meal plan targets for Dinner. Pair it with other PCOS-friendly foods throughout the day for balanced nutrition.

This recipe can be part of a structured PCOS meal plan. It makes 2 servings, making it great for meal prep. For a complete weekly plan tailored to your PCOS type, take our free 60-second quiz at pcosmealplanner.com/pcos-quiz to get a personalized 7-day meal plan.

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