Chicken tenderloins are low in fat and carbohydrate-free.
Chicken tenderloins are a tasty, carb-free meal that can become boring quickly when prepared the same way repeatedly. With a bit of experimentation and a few added ingredients, you can create an interesting variety of meals with chicken tenderloins. When you follow low-carb prep for chicken tenderloins, you can avoid adding any carbohydrates to your meal.
Low-carb diets aid in weight loss by replacing carbohydrates with proteins and fats. The allowed intake of carbohydrates on a low-carb diet varies from 20 to 60 grams per day, in contrast to a recommended intake of 225 grams per day for an average diet. The reduction in carbohydrates is theorized to force your body to burn fat in place of the energy it typically burns from carbohydrates.
One 4-ounce serving of plain chicken tenderloins contains just 90 calories. The calorie content is 4.5 percent of an average intake of 2,000 calories per day. Each serving also contains 22 grams of protein, which is 44 percent of a 50-gram daily recommended intake. The true bonus for low-carb dieters, however, is the 0 grams of carbohydrates in each serving of chicken tenderloins.
When you need your meal quickly, season the tenderloins directly before cooking them. A spritz of lemon juice or a rub with your favorite spice blend works well. This does not add carbs to your meal, keeping your chicken tenderloins diet-friendly. Once the tenderloins have a coating of flavor, the choice of preparation method is yours. Baking them wrapped in aluminum foil or parchment paper prevents moisture from escaping. Searing the tenderloins on the stovetop or grill crisps their exterior and caramelizes their natural juices. Steaming the chicken cooks it in less than 10 minutes and allows seasonings to permeate through the meat. Always cook chicken to a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chicken tenderloins are often served with a crispy, flavorful breading. However, conventional breading has a high carbohydrate content. Make low-carb breaded chicken tenderloins by coating them with shredded cheese or crushed pork rinds. A coating of beaten egg on the raw meat sticks the cheese or pork rinds to the tenderloins’ exteriors. Avoid adding excess fat by baking the breaded tenderloins on a rack for crispiness.
Marinating chicken tenderloins at least five hours prior to cooking them creates a tasty low-carb entree bursting with flavor. Cook marinated tenderloins as you would quickly seasoned ones. If you wish to use the marinade as a sauce, boil it for five minutes over medium-high heat, stirring often, to kill harmful bacteria. Alternately, skip the marinade and serve cooked chicken breasts coated in, or drizzled with, your favorite low-carb sauce. Note that common sauces, such as barbecue, contain significant amounts of carbohydrates. Carb-free salad dressings are an excellent choice for chicken tenderloin sauce.
Styles, Serena. "Low Carb Prep for Chicken Tenderloins." Healthy Eating | SF Gate, http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/low-carb-prep-chicken-tenderloins-1478.html. 20 July 2017.