Chicken Chips: Keto-Friendly Or Carb-Loaded?

Chicken chips are a keto-friendly snack made from chicken skin. They are a great alternative to potato chips as they offer a similar texture and satisfying crunch without the carbs. Chicken chips are usually made by frying or baking chicken skin until it is browned and crisp, and then seasoning it with salt and pepper, or other spices. They can be made at home or bought from various brands, such as Flock, Wilde, and Carnivore Crisps.

Chicken chips as a keto-friendly snack

Chicken chips are a keto-friendly snack option that can be made at home or purchased from various brands. They are a great alternative to traditional potato or tortilla chips, offering a crunchy texture without the carbs. Here are some things to know about chicken chips as a keto-friendly snack:

Chicken chips are a crunchy and nutritious snack made from chicken. They are often made by grinding and flattening chicken meat, usually chicken thighs or breasts, and then baking or air-frying it until crispy. The chicken can be seasoned with various spices, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, to add flavor.

Keto-friendly features:

Chicken chips are keto-friendly for several reasons:

• Zero or low carbs: Chicken chips typically have zero or very low carbohydrate content, making them a suitable snack option for those following a ketogenic diet.
• High protein: Chicken is a good source of protein, and chicken chips can provide a significant amount of protein per serving. This makes them a filling and satisfying snack option.
• No added sugar: Many chicken chip products do not contain added sugar, which aligns with the keto diet's focus on reducing sugar intake.
• Gluten-free: Chicken chips are naturally gluten-free, as they are made primarily from chicken and spices. This makes them accessible to those with gluten intolerances or celiac disease.

Commercially available options:

If you don't want to make your own chicken chips, there are several brands that offer chicken chip products:

• Flock: Flock offers a variety of chicken skin chips in different flavors, such as BBQ, Salt and Vinegar, and Original. They are high in protein and gluten-free.
• Wilde: Wilde has a range of chicken chips, including Buffalo, Sea Salt and Vinegar, and Chicken and Waffles flavors. Their chips are made with real chicken and are keto-friendly.
• Carnivore Crisps: Carnivore Crisps offers chicken breast chips that are high in protein and keto-approved. They are all-natural and gluten-free.

Homemade chicken chips:

You can also make your own chicken chips at home. Here's a simple recipe to try:

• Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F.
• Cut chicken thighs or breasts into manageable portions and feed them through a meat grinder into a medium bowl. You can also use pre-ground chicken to skip this step.
• Mix your desired spices in a small bowl, then add them to the ground chicken. Mix thoroughly.
• Run the chicken mixture through the meat grinder again to achieve a paste-like texture. If you don't have a meat grinder, you can use a sharp knife or a food processor to chop the meat.
• Place a piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet. Add half of the chicken paste to the center of the paper and cover it with a piece of cling film.
• Use a rolling pin to flatten the chicken until it's paper-thin. You want it thin enough that it becomes translucent when held up to the light.
• Remove the cling film and transfer the parchment paper to the baking sheet.
• Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until crispy but not burned. The baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.
• Once crispy, remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. If they're not crispy enough, put them back in the oven for a few more minutes.
• Break the large chip into smaller chips and serve with your favorite dip!

Chicken chips are a delicious and keto-friendly snack option that can curb your crunchy cravings without derailing your diet. Whether you make them at home or purchase them from a brand, chicken chips are a tasty and satisfying treat that fits within the keto diet guidelines.

How to make chicken chips at home

Chicken chips are a keto-friendly, crunchy snack that can be made at home in a few simple steps. Here is a detailed guide on how to make chicken chips at home:

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs or breasts
• Salt
• Pepper
• Chipotle powder (optional)
• Nutritional yeast (optional)
• Parchment paper
• Saran wrap/cling film
• Cooking spray (optional)

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 300°F. If using whole chicken thighs, cut them into manageable portions. You can also use ground chicken to skip a step. Place the chicken pieces in a meat grinder or food processor and grind them into a medium bowl.

In a separate small bowl, mix the spices, including salt, pepper, and optional chipotle powder and nutritional yeast. Add the spice mixture to the ground chicken and combine thoroughly using a rubber spatula.

Tear off a piece of parchment paper equal to the size of a large cookie sheet. Place half of the chicken mixture in the centre of the parchment paper. Cover it with a piece of saran wrap of the same size.

Use a rolling pin to flatten the chicken mixture as thinly and evenly as possible. You want it thin enough to become translucent when held up to the light.

Remove the saran wrap and carefully transfer the parchment paper with the chicken mixture to a cookie sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown. Ovens may vary, so check on the chicken chips at the 30-minute mark and adjust the timing as needed.

Once done, remove the giant chicken chip from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. If it doesn't feel crispy enough, put it back in the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.

After cooling, break the giant chip into smaller chips. You can serve these chicken chips with your favourite dips, such as guacamole, hummus, or buffalo ranch dip.

Alternative Method: Air Fryer Chicken Chips

You can also make chicken chips using an air fryer. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the bottom of your air fryer basket. Place a few tablespoons of the chicken mixture in the centre of the parchment paper and cover it with saran wrap.

Use a rolling pin to roll the chicken mixture as thinly and evenly as possible. Remove any excess chicken mixture that goes over the edge of the parchment paper.

Place the parchment paper with the chicken mixture into the air fryer and air fry at 375°F for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is crispy.

Chicken chips are a unique and tasty snack option, perfect for those on a keto diet or simply looking for a crunchy, high-protein treat. Enjoy experimenting with different spices and dips to find your favourite combinations!

Chicken chip brands and where to buy them

There are several brands of chicken chips available for purchase, both online and in stores. Here are some options:

Wilde Chicken Chips

Wilde offers a wide range of chicken chip flavours, including:

• Himalayan Pink Salt
• Sea Salt and Vinegar
• Nashville Hot
• Chicken and Waffles
• Buffalo
• Jalapeno
• Barbeque
• Spicy Queso

These chicken chips are available on Amazon and in 20,000 stores nationwide.

Flock Chicken Skin Crisps

Flock's chicken skin crisps are keto-friendly, low-carb, and high-protein. They can be purchased on Amazon, or in stores such as Meijer, Sprouts, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, and other health food stores.

Carnivore Crisps

Carnivore Crisps offers chicken breast chips that are all-natural, high-protein, keto-friendly, and gluten-free. They can be purchased on Amazon.

Hilo Life Keto-Friendly Tortilla Chips

Hilo Life offers keto-friendly tortilla chips in ranch flavour. They can be purchased on Amazon.

EPIC Pink Himalayan Sea Salt Chicken Crisps

EPIC's chicken crisps are keto-friendly and come in a pack of six 1.5-ounce bags. They can be purchased on Amazon.

Chicken chip reviews

Chicken chips are a keto-friendly, crunchy snack made from chicken skin and seasonings. They are a great alternative to traditional chips for those on a keto diet or looking to cut down on carbs, offering a similar texture and crunch without the carbs.

Reviews

Chicken chips have received mixed reviews online. Some people love them, while others are less impressed. Here is a summary of the reviews:

Positive Reviews

• Taste: Many reviewers enjoyed the taste of chicken chips, describing them as delicious, tasty, and satisfying their cravings for something crunchy. Some compared the taste to fried chicken or the crunchy outer layer of fried chicken.
• Convenience: Some reviewers appreciated having a keto-friendly snack option that is high in protein and crunch without the carbs.
• Variety of Flavors: The variety of flavors available, such as original, BBQ, salt and vinegar, honey sriracha, and buffalo chicken, was highlighted as a positive by several reviewers.

Negative Reviews

• Cost: A common complaint among reviewers was the high cost of chicken chips, especially considering the small serving size and the fact that the bags are often not filled to the top.
• Texture: While some enjoyed the crunch of chicken chips, others found them too greasy and brittle.
• Flavor Consistency: Some reviewers noted that the flavor and freshness of the chips were inconsistent across different bags, with some bags lacking flavor or being too chewy.
• Smell: A few reviewers mentioned that the chips had an unpleasant smell, similar to raw chicken skin and old deep fryer grease.

Overall Thoughts

Chicken chips seem to be a polarizing snack, with some people loving them and others finding them disappointing. Those who are on a keto diet or looking for a high-protein, low-carb snack may be more inclined to give them a try, despite the high cost and mixed reviews.

Chicken chip nutritional information

Chicken chips are a keto-friendly, crunchy snack made from chicken skin or chicken meat. They are a good source of protein and typically have zero carbs.

Oven-Baked Chicken Chips

Chicken chips made in the oven may have excess oil, but this is not necessarily a problem for those who are not concerned about fat content.

Air-Fried Chicken Chips

Air-fried chicken chips can be seasoned before cooking, allowing the flavour to penetrate the skins.

Deep-Fried Chicken Chips

Deep-fried chicken chips will be golden brown and are best seasoned after removing the excess oil with a paper towel.

Nutritional Information for Oven-Baked Chicken Chips

The nutritional information for oven-baked chicken chips made from chicken skin can be found below. This information may vary depending on the ingredients and cooking methods used.

• Calories: 1206
• Total Fat: 110g
• Saturated Fat: 21g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 84g
• Cholesterol: 102mg
• Sodium: 2842mg
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Net Carbohydrates: 0g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 28g
• Sugar Alcohols: 0g
• Protein: 16g

Nutritional Information for Chicken Chips Made from Chicken Meat

Chicken chips made from chicken meat will have different nutritional content. The values below are for one serving (132g) of chicken chips made from chicken thighs.

• Calories: 132kcal
• Carbohydrates: 0g
• Protein: 22g
• Fat: 5g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 95mg
• Sodium: 531mg
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0g

Frequently asked questions