These keto chicken nuggets are crispy, tender, and delicious. They are perfect for dinner or as finger food with no sneaky fillers and just 1g net carbs per serve.
For more chicken thigh recipes, try our keto butter chicken or our easy keto flame-grilled chicken thighs. They’re delicious!
The Secret to Juicy Nuggets: Chicken Thighs
We use chicken thighs for this recipe because they are naturally more flavorful and stay moist even when cooked to crispy perfection. If you prefer, you can substitute chicken breast, but keep in mind that they might be slightly drier.
The Perfect Breading: Gluten-Free & Low-Carb
Our keto breading combines protein powder, parmesan cheese, and a blend of spices for a satisfying crunch without the carbs. This recipe is also naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
The Perfect Frying Oil
Why do we fry our low-carb chicken nuggets in lard? Well, it’s delicious, has a mild flavor, and is ideal for keto cooking.
You can read more about fats & oils in our article on the best oils for frying.
Ingredients For Keto Chicken Nuggets
These keto chicken nuggets are made with all-natural low-carb ingredients.
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 scoops unflavored protein powder
- 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup lard or avocado oil for frying
You can buy whole egg mayonnaise or make your own using our keto mayonnaise recipe with fresh low-carb ingredients. It’s worth it.
How to Make Keto Chicken Nuggets
- Cut the chicken thighs into small nugget-shaped pieces.
- Place the eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk. Add the chicken to the eggs.
- In another bowl, add the protein powder, parmesan, salt, garlic, paprika, and pepper. Mix.
- Bread each piece of chicken with the protein mixture and shake off the excess.
- Place a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat and add the lard. Cook the nuggets for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Depending on the size of your frying pan, you might need to cook them in batches.
- In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce.
- Serve the Keto Nuggets immediately with a side of Keto Sweet Chili Mayonnaise.
Tips And Tricks
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the chicken nuggets in batches to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken nuggets reaches at least 165°F.
- Get Creative with Dips: Experiment with different keto-friendly dipping sauces, such as keto mayo, mustard, or ranch dressing.
- Make it Ahead: Prepare a large batch of chicken nuggets and freeze them for a quick and easy snack or meal.
Storing
Nuggets can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can substitute chicken breast for chicken thighs in this recipe. However, chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful and juicy.
If you prefer not to use lard, you can substitute it with another keto-friendly oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil or coconut oil.
Yes, you can bake the chicken nuggets in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes or until cooked through and golden brown.
Feel free to customize the flavor of your chicken nuggets with other keto-approved seasonings, such as onion powder, dried oregano, dried parsley, cumin, cayenne pepper, or Italian herb mix.
Store leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Keto Chicken Nuggets (1g Carbs) Crispy & Tender
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Chicken Thighs
- 2 Eggs
- 2 scoops Unflavored Protein Powder low carb
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese grated
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper ground
- 3 tablespoons Sugar-Free Sweet Chili Sauce
- ¼ cup Lard for frying
- 1/2 cup Low Carb Mayonnaise
Instructions
- Cut the chicken thighs into small nugget shaped pieces.
- Place the eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk. Add the chicken to the eggs.
- In another bowl, add the protein powder, parmesan, salt, garlic, paprika, and pepper. Mix.
- Bread each piece of chicken with the protein mixture and shake off the excess.
- Place a large nonstick frying pan over medium heat and add the lard. Cook the nuggets for 3-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through. You might need to cook them in batches, depending on the size of your frying pan.
- In s small bowl, mix together the mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce.
- Serve the Keto Nuggets immediately with a side of Keto Sweet Chili Mayonnaise.
Notes
Nutrition
Want more yummy Keto Chicken Recipes, check out our;
- Keto Chicken & Feta Meatballs
- Keto Garlic Parmesan Wings
- Keto Chicken Salad
- Keto Chicken & Bacon Kabobs
To make a larger batch of this keto chicken nuggets recipe, adjust the servings above.
These sound delicious! I was wondering if there is a low fat way to “fry” these? My stomach doesn’t handle fats very well, so I do keto that’s also low in fat. Thanks!
Hi Angela,
You could try using a different oil to fry them in, or spray them will a little olive oil and bake them at about 200C/390F for 15 minutes or so in the oven.
I just want to let you know that these chicken nuggets got rave reviews from the autistic young adult I care for. He loved them so much that he was telling other people about them. He told me not to forget the same ingredients so that I can make them for him again. His reaction was better than the first time he had homemade soup instead of canned. I am sure he will not ask me for store bought nuggets again. Thank you!
Hi Renee,
I’m so happy that he is a fan! Your comment truly made my day. Thank you for stopping by and sharing 🙂
What does the protein powder taste like on the chicken? I know you said it was unflavored. I want to know if it tastes like when you used to use flour.
Hi Tamie,
The flavor of the protein powder is covered up by the addition of the parmesan and spices, so you can’t really taste it.
Hello, can you cook them in a fryer with lard?
Hi Germaine,
You sure can!
Can u coat the chicken with Almond flour?
Hi Melissa,
If you prefer an almond flour coating, try our Keto Fried Chicken recipe.