Every mom knows that a good fried chicken nuggets recipe is a must when you have kids at home. My Keto Fried Chicken Recipe is so easy, delicious, and perfect for making yummy chicken nuggets or even whole pieces of chicken if you prefer. Add this to your low carb recipe collection to keep everyone happy on chicken night.
Keto Fried Chicken Recipe
I have been craving fried chicken lately. I knew that I could make a keto fried chicken version. However, I’ve always thought that making homemade fried chicken would take more energy and effort than I’m willing to give. I’m so glad I pushed through my no tonight because it turned out good and was much easier than I imagined. I felt like I was having a good ole southern dinner at my grandmother’s house.
If you don’t like coconut, you will probably want to use almond flour instead as there is a hint of a coconut taste. No one in my family except me noticed the coconut taste, but I have very sensitive taste buds, so maybe it was just me. I love coconut, so I didn’t mind. Another great option is crushed pork rinds.
Tip: I bought the thin cut chicken breasts so that they would be easier to cut into chicken nuggets with my poultry shears. I’m weird about touching raw meat. I avoid it at all costs. If you are like me, poultry shears will save your life. I’ve included step by step directions below to make keto fried chicken nuggets.
Directions for making Keto Fried Chicken Nuggets
You can scroll down to print the full recipe, but I have included a great visual description to help those like me that do better seeing the process first before reading it in a recipe.
After I cut up the chicken, I cracked three eggs and added 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream to a bowl and allowed my chicken to soak for a few minutes.
Seasoning makes a huge difference when making keto fried chicken nuggets. To the coconut flour, I added garlic powder, paprika, and pepper.
Make sure that all of the chicken is coated in the egg and heavy whipping cream mixture. This helps the coconut flour stick better.
I dredged each chicken nugget in coconut flour and covered it on all sides. Using a bowl or plate with an edge is helpful in keeping your kitchen counters somewhat clean.
Using a candy thermometer, I made sure my coconut oil was at 335 degrees before adding chicken. I cooked the chicken in 4 separate batches to make sure the chicken would cook evenly.
As soon as it came out of the oil, I placed the Fried Chicken Bites on a paper towel on a plate and sprinkled a little extra salt on top.
I served the Fried Chicken Bites homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce and southern green beans for a fabulous dinner.
How to Make Keto Fried Chicken Nuggets:
Keto Fried Chicken Nuggets {keto/ low carb}
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken cut into small slices
- 3 eggs
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup coconut flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- oil for frying - I used coconut oil but you can also use lard.
Instructions
- Cut boneless skinless chicken into nugget sized bites.
- In a bowl, combine eggs and heavy whipping cream. Stir until combined.
- In a shallow pan, add chicken nuggets to the egg/heavy whipping cream mixture and set aside.
- On a large plate add coconut flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix with a fork to combine.
- Individually, dip each piece of chicken into the flour mixture to batter the chicken.
- In a cast iron skillet, heat about an inch of coconut oil until it reaches 335 degrees. I used a candy thermometer to measure.
- Drop chicken in hot oil and turn over after 3 minutes and fry on the other side. Each batch took approx 4-5 minutes to cook but could vary depending on the size of your chicken. Do not overcrowd your frying pan as it will reduce the temperature of the oil and the breading won't stick as well.
- Once each batch is done remove from oil, and fry the next batch.
- Place fried chicken on a plate on top of a paper towel to absorb excess oil. Serve with homemade sugar-free low carb bbq sauce.
- Optional: Sprinkle a little extra salt on top of each batch as you put it on the paper towel.
More Keto Recipe Ideas
I know you are going to love my easy keto fried chicken recipe, but you’ll want more variety in your meal plan. Check out our complete list of amazing recipes in my Keto Recipe Index. You can see a few more of my favorite kid-friendly keto recipes linked below!
Linda says
Calories ,fat carbs?
Kasey says
I did not include that info for this recipe as it was impossible to figure out with so much left over oil from frying, the breading, and the egg wash.
Anita says
Will this work in an air fryer?
Kasey says
I haven’t tried it, but it would probably work.
Dawn says
Hi. Did u try it in air fryer? Ty
Kasey says
No, I did not.
Stephanie says
There is no measurement on the HWC. Is it 1/4 cup?
Kasey says
Yes. Sorry! I am updating the recipe now. Thanks!
Jenelle says
If you marinate the chicken in pickle juice it tastes just like chik-fil-a!
Tammy Vogelgesang says
Yesssss!!
Paula says
I absolutely love these — thank you so much for the recipe. I must make these once a week – they are so easy and I always have all the ingredients.
Kasey says
You are so very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Kasey says
I’m not sure what you are asking. Besides dipping it in the egg mixture then the flour before frying I didn’t do anything else.
Betsy Rodecap says
Kasey ~ I feel the need to tell you how much I appreciate your generosity.
Going keto 6 months ago changed my kitchen completely. Without your lovely recipes and guidance, I am not sure that I could have maintained this lifestyle.
Having your recipes at my fingertips makes it safe for small children to walk past me while eating a sugar-laden chocolate chip cookie (mostly.) lol
I now have a nice arsenal of “specialties” to allow my husband and me to eat healthy, tasty food. (Being a supportive spouse, my always-thin husband eats keto with me; he’s even lost some weight, darn him!) Getting off the sugars is hard, but there is reward when my grown son remarks that he has never seen me so thin – and he’s right. I currently weigh less than when I became pregnant with him 48 years ago!
I owe my renewed health to you. Thank you and may Our Creator continue to bless you and yours.
Betsy
Kasey says
Besty, I am speechless. Thank you so very much for taking the time to comment with such encouraging and supportive kind words. I can’t tell you how much it means to me. I am so proud of you and your hard work! May God bless you and your family.
Angie Lynn says
Could you use steak and do steak fingers?
Kasey says
I’ve only tested this recipe with chicken but it sounds good.
Rebecca says
Can you use almond flour instead of coconut flour
Kasey says
I’ve only tested it as is, but I’m sure almond flour would work just fine. Another great option is crushed pork rinds. I tried that last time I made them and it was delish!
Sam says
I was going to do pork rinds but my husband convinced me they would just make a soggy mess.
Dave says
Sam, Your husband is wrong if you do this in an air or deep fryer. Pork rinds make less mess (pre-coat with beaten egg) and don’t stick to a fry basket!
Danielle says
Can you use another oil besides Coconut oil? I don’t like the coconut flavor it gives when using it in recipes.
Kasey says
There are other keto friendly oils you could try like avocado oil or lard, but I’ve only tested it as is.
Tammy Vogelgesang says
Danielle, just get some refined coconut oil. It has zero flavor!! You can usually find this at Walmart and/or TJMaxx, Marshall’s, and Ross for a fraction of the price!
Stacey Burton says
Do these have a coconut flavor to them?
Carolyn Johnson says
Can this be baked in the oven?
Kasey says
I have only tried as is. Let me know how it turns outs.
Christen says
Do you have the nutritional break down?
.Kasey says
I did not include that info for this recipe as it was impossible to figure out with so much left over oil from frying, the breading, and the egg wash.
Dian Corbett says
Being highly allergic to all nuts, it was particularly happy to see a keto recipe that I don’t have to wonder what to do for a substitute. l’m very new to keto and really appreciate this.
.Kasey says
You’re so welcome! My oldest daughter has a severe nut allergy so I always use coconut flour.