Jeffrey Salazar
Fried chicken is a beloved comfort food for many, but it's typically off the menu for those following a ketogenic diet. The good news is that you don't have to miss out on the crispy, juicy goodness anymore! With a few simple ingredient swaps, you can create a keto-friendly version of this classic dish that tastes just as good as the original, if not better. By using alternatives like almond flour, pork rinds, or keto breadcrumbs instead of traditional flour or breadcrumbs, you can enjoy a low-carb crispy chicken that satisfies your cravings without compromising your dietary goals. So, get ready to fire up that deep fryer or air fryer and indulge in some keto-approved comfort food!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you eat crispy chicken on keto? | Yes |
| Recipe | Coat chicken in a keto buttermilk marinade, then coat in almond flour or pork rinds, and fry |
| Keto buttermilk marinade | Heavy whipping cream with vinegar, egg whites, vodka, and baking powder |
| Keto breading | Protein powder, almond flour, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder |
| Oil temperature | 325 F (165 C) |
| Internal temperature | 165 F |
| Reheating | Avoid microwaving, use a preheated oven, stovetop, or air fryer |
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What You'll Learn
Keto fried chicken recipes
Keto fried chicken is a gluten-free, low-carb alternative to traditional fried chicken. It is crispy, crunchy, and juicy—a comfort food that satisfies cravings without compromising your dietary goals. Here are some recipes to help you get started on making your own keto fried chicken.
Ingredients
- Skin-on chicken (drumsticks, thighs, and/or breast pieces)
- Keto buttermilk marinade (a mixture of heavy cream and eggs)
- Almond flour
- Keto breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
- Smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper
- Oil for frying (avocado oil, safflower oil, or peanut oil are recommended)
Instructions
- Prepare the keto buttermilk marinade by whisking together the eggs and heavy cream in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine the almond flour, keto breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (if desired), smoked paprika, and salt and black pepper.
- Pat the chicken pieces dry and season them with salt and black pepper.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the keto buttermilk marinade, ensuring it is fully coated.
- Next, coat the chicken with the almond flour mixture. Repeat this process for each piece of chicken.
- Heat oil in a deep pan or pot to a depth of about 1/2 inch (1 cm).
- Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil and fry until golden brown. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°C (329°F).
- Remove the chicken from the oil and drain any excess.
- Serve immediately with sides of your choice, such as mashed cauliflower, keto collard greens, coleslaw, or a simple side salad with Ranch dressing.
Tips
- You can prepare the chicken in advance by keeping the breading and chicken separate in the fridge and combining them just before cooking.
- Avoid reheating the chicken in a microwave to prevent a soggy crust. Instead, use a preheated oven, stovetop, or air fryer.
- If you prefer to bake the chicken instead of frying, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the coated chicken pieces on a lined baking sheet.
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Reheating keto crispy chicken
When it comes to reheating keto crispy chicken, it's important to take a few factors into consideration to ensure the chicken retains its crispiness and flavour. Here are some detailed instructions to achieve the best results:
Firstly, it is recommended to avoid using a microwave. Microwaving keto crispy chicken can result in a soggy crust, which detracts from the desired crispy texture. Instead, opt for reheating the chicken in a preheated oven or on a stovetop. Using an air fryer is another excellent option for reheating, helping to maintain the crispiness of the chicken.
If you're reheating keto crispy chicken thighs, there are specific considerations to keep in mind. It is advisable to use an air fryer, oven, or skillet for reheating. For the skillet method, heat the chicken thighs skin side down with a small amount of oil. Similar to other reheating methods, it is best to avoid microwaving keto crispy chicken thighs as it can make the skin chewy and less appetizing.
When it comes to storage, keto crispy chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chicken will stay fresh for up to three to four days, depending on the specific recipe. Proper storage helps maintain the quality and flavour of the chicken.
Additionally, it is worth noting that some recipes may allow for breading the chicken ahead of time. However, this should be done with caution, as the breading may become soggy if prepared too far in advance. It is generally recommended to bring the breading and chicken together just before cooking to ensure the best results.
By following these reheating and storage instructions, you can enjoy delicious and crispy keto chicken even after it's been cooked and stored.
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Keto crispy chicken sides
Chicken is a versatile and keto-friendly food, as it is zero-carb, high in protein, and low or moderate in fat. Here are some keto-friendly side dishes that go well with crispy chicken:
Cauliflower Couscous
Regular couscous is often served as a starchy side, but cauliflower couscous is a tasty, low-carb alternative. It is a wonderful, healthy, vegetarian dish straight from the Mediterranean.
Keto Broccoli Salad with Cauliflower
This salad can be served warm or cold with chicken. It is the perfect keto potato salad alternative.
Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed cauliflower is a tasty side dish that can be flavoured with butter, heavy cream, mustard, garlic, and shredded mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, or cream cheese.
Baked Spaghetti Squash
Baked spaghetti squash is a buttery and soft low-carb alternative to pasta. It can be cooked in the oven or microwave and served as a side dish with low-carb chicken recipes.
Keto French Fries
French fries are a great side dish, and there are keto-friendly recipes available.
Cauliflower Rice
There are various cooking methods for cauliflower rice, making it a versatile keto-friendly side dish.
Low-Carb Mexican Coleslaw
This side dish is crunchy, tasty, colourful, and easy to make. It pairs well with chicken tandoori.
Creamed Kale
Inspired by jalapeno poppers, creamed kale is a refreshing take on a classic side. It is packed with nutrients, and the creamy sauce is delicious.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are often disliked, but roasting them to perfection and seasoning them with parmesan cheese and chilli flakes creates a tasty keto side dish.
Keto Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a classic comfort food, and there are keto-friendly recipes available.
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KFC-style keto crispy chicken
Yes, you can eat crispy chicken on keto! In fact, you can make your own KFC-style keto crispy chicken that tastes just as good as the original. The secret is to coat the raw chicken pieces in a keto buttermilk marinade before frying. This recipe is crispy and crunchy on the outside, but perfectly moist and juicy on the inside.
To make the marinade, whisk together eggs and heavy cream in one bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together keto bread crumbs, almond flour, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder. You can also add smoked paprika, salt, and garlic powder to taste.
Next, pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Dip each piece of chicken in the egg/cream mixture, then in the breadcrumb mixture, until coated. Repeat the process until all the chicken is coated.
When frying, add 0.5 inches of oil to a deep pan or pot. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and fry until golden brown and the chicken has an internal temperature of 165°C or 325-350°F. Be careful not to let the oil exceed 325°F, or the exterior coating on the chicken will burn.
You can also cook this recipe in an air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C/375°F and spray the wire basket with cooking oil. Place the chicken pieces in the basket and cook for 15 minutes. Turn each piece and cook for another 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces.
Serve your KFC-style keto crispy chicken with mashed cauliflower, keto collard greens, coleslaw, or a simple side salad with ranch dressing. Enjoy!
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Breading and frying keto crispy chicken
Keto crispy chicken is a gluten-free, low-carb alternative to traditional fried chicken. The breading for keto crispy chicken typically includes almond flour, crushed pork rinds, parmesan cheese, and keto breadcrumbs. You can also add spices such as smoked paprika, salt and pepper, garlic powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to the breading mixture. Here is a step-by-step guide to breading and frying keto crispy chicken:
Step 1: Prepare the chicken
Start by patting the chicken pieces dry and seasoning them with salt and pepper. You can use a mix of drumsticks, thighs, and breast pieces, or just drumsticks if you prefer.
Step 2: Make the marinade
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream. You can also add spices to this mixture if desired. Alternatively, you can use almond milk instead of heavy cream and add a beaten egg to the marinade for thickness.
Step 3: Make the breading
In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients for the breading. This includes the almond flour, crushed pork rinds, parmesan cheese, keto breadcrumbs, and any additional spices. You can use a food processor or blender to crush the pork rinds and create a finer breading texture.
Step 4: Coat the chicken
Dip each piece of chicken into the egg and cream mixture, making sure it is fully coated. Then, dip the chicken into the breading mixture, pressing down gently to ensure the breading adheres to the chicken. Repeat this process for a thicker coating, or until all the chicken pieces are coated.
Step 5: Fry the chicken
Add about 1/2 inch of oil to a deep pan or pot. Avocado oil, safflower oil, and peanut oil are recommended due to their high smoke points. Heat the oil to around 140-150°C (280-300°F). Carefully place the breaded chicken pieces into the hot oil and fry until golden brown. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°C (329°F) to be safe to eat.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy
Keto crispy chicken is best served immediately while the breading is still crispy. You can pair it with sides like mashed cauliflower, keto collard greens, coleslaw, or a simple side salad with ranch dressing.
Note: It is not recommended to bread the chicken too far in advance as the moisture from the chicken can make the breading soggy. Breaded chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for a few hours before frying, but it is best to bread and fry fresh.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can eat crispy chicken on keto. There are several keto crispy chicken recipes available online.
To make keto crispy chicken, you can use almond flour, pork rinds, parmesan cheese, and garlic powder for the breading. You can also use almond milk instead of heavy cream. Coat the chicken in a keto buttermilk marinade, then dip it in the breading mixture. You can bake, air fry, or deep fry the chicken.
Some side dishes that go well with keto crispy chicken include mashed cauliflower, keto collard greens, coleslaw, and a simple side salad with ranch dressing.
