Keto Fried Chicken: Perfect Oven Time

How Long to Leave Keto Fried Chicken in the Oven?

Keto-friendly fried chicken is a great option for those who want to enjoy the taste of fried chicken without the carbs. The breading on traditional fried chicken is usually made with white flour, but this recipe substitutes almond flour or pork rinds to make it low-carb and gluten-free.

When it comes to cooking keto fried chicken in the oven, the temperature and timing can vary depending on the recipe and the type of chicken used. Most recipes recommend preheating the oven to around 350-400°F (177-200°C). For bone-in chicken pieces, the cooking time is typically around 35-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). For boneless chicken, the cooking time may be slightly shorter.

It's important to note that different recipes may have variations in ingredients and preparation methods, which can affect the cooking time. Therefore, it's always a good idea to follow the specific instructions provided in your chosen recipe for the best results.

Oven-baked keto fried chicken ingredients

This is a detailed guide on the ingredients needed to make oven-baked keto fried chicken. This chicken dish is a tasty, low-carb alternative to traditional fried chicken, with a crispy coating and juicy meat.

Main Ingredients

The main ingredients you will need are:

• Chicken: Use skin-on chicken pieces such as drumsticks, thighs, and/or breast. You can also use boneless and skinless chicken, but adjust the baking time accordingly.
• Breading: For a keto-friendly breading, you can use almond flour, crushed pork rinds, or a combination of both. You will need about 3/4 to 1 cup of almond flour or 2 ounces of pork rinds per 10 drumsticks.
• Eggs: Whisked eggs are used as a coating to help the breading stick to the chicken. You will need about 2 eggs.
• Seasonings: This includes salt and pepper, as well as other spices like garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme.
• Cooking Oil/Fat: Use a neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, safflower oil, or peanut oil, for frying. Alternatively, you can use butter or mayonnaise for baking.

Optional Ingredients

While the above ingredients form the basis of the dish, you can also include some optional ingredients to enhance the flavour and texture:

• Keto Breadcrumbs: Adding keto breadcrumbs to the breading mixture can provide an extra crispy texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Grated or powdered parmesan cheese adds flavour to the breading.
• Heavy Cream: Mixing heavy cream with the eggs creates a coating similar to buttermilk fried chicken.

Tips for Ingredient Preparation

• Grate your own cheese: If using parmesan cheese, it is best to grate a block of cheese yourself to control the carb content and ensure a low-carb breading.
• Crush your own pork rinds: For the best results, crush plain pork rinds into fine crumbs using a food processor or a resealable bag and a rolling pin.
• Use a dark pan: When baking, use a dark-coloured pan or baking sheet, as it reflects heat better and helps achieve a crispier texture.

Now that you have gathered and prepared your ingredients, you are ready to start preparing and cooking your oven-baked keto fried chicken. Remember to follow the breading method carefully and adjust cooking times as needed. Enjoy your delicious, keto-friendly fried chicken!

Oven temperature and duration

Preheat your oven to the right temperature. Most recipes recommend preheating your oven to around 350°F to 400°F (177°C to 200°C). This temperature range will ensure your chicken cooks through without burning.

Prepare your chicken. Pat your chicken pieces dry with paper towels. You can use a variety of chicken cuts, including drumsticks, thighs, and breasts. If you're using bone-in chicken, keep in mind that the cooking time will be longer. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, or a seasoning mix of your choice.

Create a dredging station. Set up three bowls: one with coconut flour, salt, and pepper; another with whisked eggs; and the third with a mixture of almond flour, crushed pork rinds or keto breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and seasonings like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. You can also add in some garlic powder and onion powder for extra flavour.

Dredge the chicken. First, coat the chicken pieces in the coconut flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip them into the egg mixture, ensuring they are well coated. Finally, press the chicken into the almond flour/pork rind mixture, making sure all sides are evenly coated. You may need to use one hand for dry ingredients and the other for wet to prevent clumping.

Bake the chicken. Place the coated chicken pieces on a baking rack set over a baking sheet. Spray the chicken with cooking spray or avocado oil spray. Bake in the preheated oven for around 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). For an extra crispy texture, you can bake at a higher temperature of 425°F for 25 minutes, then flip the chicken and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes.

Rest and serve. Once your chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps ensure the juices redistribute and keeps the chicken moist.

By following these instructions and paying attention to oven temperature and duration, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, crispy keto fried chicken!

Chicken preparation

Ingredients

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need:

• Chicken – use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces, such as drumsticks, thighs, and/or breasts.
• Pork rinds – these will be crushed to create a keto-friendly breadcrumb alternative.
• Almond flour – this helps the coating stick to the chicken and creates a crispy texture.
• Eggs – these will be whisked and used to coat the chicken before applying the dry coating.
• Spices – use spices such as garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.
• Oil – use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, safflower oil, or peanut oil, for frying. Alternatively, use an oil spray for baking or air frying.

Method

Once you have gathered your ingredients, it's time to start preparing the chicken:

• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
• Prepare the coating by combining the almond flour, crushed pork rinds, and spices in a shallow bowl. Whisk together until fully mixed.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and, if desired, heavy cream.
• Working with one piece at a time, dip the chicken in the egg mixture, then coat with the almond flour mixture. Press the coating onto the chicken to ensure an even and thorough covering.
• If frying, heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (177°C). Carefully place the chicken pieces into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 6 minutes on the first side, then flip and fry for an additional 4 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• If baking, preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 35-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
• If air frying, preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Place the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd. Spray the chicken with oil and air fry for 20-35 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Your keto fried chicken is now ready to be served! Enjoy!

Keto breading

Ingredients

The base ingredient for keto breading is usually almond flour, pork rinds, or keto breadcrumbs. For almond flour, either blanched almond flour or almond meal will work. If using pork rinds, look for "chicharrones" and crush them into a fine texture using a food processor or blender. For a more uniform crumb size, place the pork rinds in a sealable plastic bag and roll over them with a rolling pin. You can also purchase keto breadcrumbs or make your own by crushing pork rinds and adding spices.

Other common ingredients for keto breading include:

• Parmesan cheese
• Eggs
• Heavy cream
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Smoked paprika
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Dried oregano
• Dried parsley flakes
• Basil

Preparation

Before coating your food with the keto breading, there are a few preparation steps to ensure the best results:

• Dry the surface of the food (e.g., chicken) with paper towels. Removing moisture helps the breading adhere better.
• Season the food with salt and pepper, or other desired spices, to taste.
• Prepare two separate bowls for dipping. In one bowl, whisk eggs until the whites and yolks are well combined. In the other bowl, combine the dry ingredients for the breading (almond flour, pork rind crumbs, parmesan cheese, and any additional spices).

Coating

Now it's time to coat your food with the keto breading:

• Working with one piece at a time, start by coating the food with the dry breading mixture. Ensure it is evenly coated.
• Next, dip the coated piece into the whisked egg, allowing any excess to drip off.
• Return the piece to the dry breading mixture and coat it with a second layer. This double breading technique ensures maximum crunchiness and an even coating.
• Use one hand for dipping in egg and the other hand for covering with the dry mixture to avoid clumping.

Cooking

After your food is coated with keto breading, it can be cooked in an oven, air fryer, or by frying:

• For baking, preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and prepare a broil pan with a rack to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. Spray each breaded piece with avocado oil and bake for around 40 minutes.
• For an air fryer, preheat the appliance to 325°F (160°C) and cook for 30-35 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through to prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
• For frying, use a neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil, safflower oil, or peanut oil. Add about 1/2 inch of oil to a deep pan or pot and heat until hot but not smoking. Fry the breaded food until golden brown, typically around 3-4 minutes per side.

Storage

• Store keto breading in an airtight container, such as a mason jar, at room temperature for up to 3 months.
• For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 6 months or in the freezer for up to a year.

Keto fried chicken dipping sauce

Keto fried chicken is best served with a dipping sauce. Here are some ideas for sauces that complement your keto fried chicken:

Keto Chick-Fil-A Sauce

This sauce is creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet. It is traditionally used as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders or as a spread for chicken sandwiches. To make it, you will need mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, honey, and mustard. You can adjust the spiciness to your preference by adding more or less hot sauce.

Keto Zesty Dipping Sauce

This sauce is a little smoky, a little spicy, and very tasty. It goes well with chicken tenders, fish sticks, and fried vegetables. To make it, mix mayonnaise, sugar-free ketchup, horseradish, garlic salt, smoked paprika, and lemon juice. If you want to make it spicier, add some hot sauce or cayenne pepper.

Keto Honey Mustard Sauce

This sauce pairs perfectly with chicken and pork and can also be used as a salad dressing. It has only .4 net carbs per serving.

Keto Buffalo Sauce

This sauce is simple and easy to make, with just three ingredients and virtually no carbs. It is very versatile and can be used in various keto recipes, such as buffalo chicken wings or meatballs.

Keto Avocado Lime Dressing

This dressing is a delicious, fresh, and tangy sauce that can also be used as a dip or spread for chicken or fish. It has 1.4g net carbs for 2 tablespoons.

Frequently asked questions