Bread Chicken Without Flour: Easy Keto-Friendly Options

Breading chicken without flour is possible and a great option for those on a keto diet. The key is to use alternatives such as almond flour or no flour at all, instead coating the chicken with eggs and a cheese like parmesan. This method still yields a crispy, golden crust without the carbohydrates.

Use chicken skin to create a crispy, golden outer layer

To create a crispy, golden outer layer without flour, you can use chicken skin. This method involves frying the chicken with the skin on, allowing the skin to become the crispy outer layer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, ensure you are using chicken with the skin on, such as chicken thighs or legs. It is important to use good quality chicken with a higher fat content, as this will result in less shrinkage. Before cooking, remove any excess fat or remaining meat from the skin, leaving only the thin skin.

Next, pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This step is crucial, as chicken skin needs to be dry in order to crisp up when cooked. You can also leave the uncovered chicken in the refrigerator overnight or for at least an hour to further dehydrate the skin.

Then, lay the chicken skins flat on a greaseproof-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt to enhance the flavour. Place another sheet of greaseproof paper over the skins and weigh it down with another tray.

Now, it's time to fry the chicken. Heat avocado oil or another high smoke point oil to medium-high heat. You can test if the oil is hot enough by placing a small piece of chicken skin in the oil. If the skin immediately starts bubbling, the oil is ready.

Carefully place half of the chicken into the hot oil and begin frying. Adjust the heat if the oil is too hot—indicated by violent bubbles. Fry for about 10 minutes, then turn the chicken and continue frying until the skin is golden brown.

Once the chicken is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. Season the chicken with your desired spices while it is still hot. Enjoy!

Coat chicken in almond flour and parmesan cheese

To coat chicken in almond flour and parmesan cheese, you'll need to first slice your chicken breasts in half horizontally to make them thinner and ensure they cook quickly. If your chicken breasts are super thick, you can slice them into three slices.

Next, season your chicken breasts generously with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Set the seasoned chicken aside.

In a shallow bowl, whisk together two eggs. In a separate shallow bowl, combine the parmesan cheese and almond flour. You can also add other seasonings to this mixture, such as paprika and garlic powder.

Now, it's time to coat the chicken. First, dip the chicken breasts into the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Then, coat the chicken thoroughly in the almond flour and parmesan cheese mixture. Return the coated chicken to a plate or baking sheet.

Heat some ghee, avocado oil, olive oil, or butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken to the pan, cooking in batches if necessary. Fry the chicken for about 3-6 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Be careful not to flip the chicken too early, as the parmesan cheese crust may slide off.

Your keto-friendly, crispy, and flavorful chicken is now ready to be served!

Fry chicken in avocado oil

Frying chicken in avocado oil is a great option for keto breaded chicken. Avocado oil has a high smoke point, which is necessary for frying, and it's also flavourless, so it won't affect the taste of your chicken. It's also a healthy option, as it's rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids.

To fry chicken in avocado oil, follow these steps:

• First, prepare your chicken. You can use chicken thighs, legs, or breasts. If you're using thicker pieces of chicken, pound them out to a thickness of 1/4 inch.
• Season the chicken with salt and, if desired, other spices like garlic powder, paprika, or black pepper.
• Set up a dredging station with a shallow bowl of beaten eggs and another shallow bowl of almond flour, or another alternative flour, mixed with any desired spices.
• Dip the chicken pieces in the egg, letting the excess drip off, then coat them thoroughly in the flour mixture.
• Heat about 1/4 inch of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Carefully place the chicken pieces in the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
• Transfer the fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
• Repeat with any remaining chicken, adding more oil to the pan as needed.

Your keto breaded chicken is now ready to be served! Enjoy it as is or with your favourite keto-friendly sides.

Season chicken with Himalayan salt and black pepper

Seasoning chicken with Himalayan salt and black pepper is a simple way to add flavour to a keto-friendly meal. This seasoning can be used on chicken cooked in a variety of ways, including frying and grilling.

To season chicken with Himalayan salt and black pepper, you will need:

• Chicken of your choice (breast, thighs, legs, etc.)
• Himalayan salt
• Black pepper (freshly ground is preferable)
• Other seasonings of your choice (optional)

Before cooking the chicken, you can sprinkle Himalayan salt and black pepper on both sides of the chicken pieces. You can also season the chicken after cooking, especially if you want to add other seasonings or spices to the dish.

When seasoning chicken with Himalayan salt and black pepper, it is important to note that you can adjust the amount of seasoning to your taste preferences. You may want to start with a smaller amount and add more as needed, as you can always add more seasoning but it is difficult to remove it if you have added too much.

Additionally, if you are using a block of Himalayan salt to cook the chicken, the salt itself will impart flavour to the chicken, so you may want to use less additional seasoning.

Use tongs to turn chicken while frying

Using tongs to turn chicken while frying is a great idea. Tongs are an incredibly useful kitchen tool, especially when frying chicken. They allow you to grip and flip the chicken with ease and precision, ensuring even cooking on both sides.

When frying chicken, it is important to use tongs with the right features to ensure the best results. Firstly, opt for tongs with silicone-tipped ends. Silicone provides extra grip and is safe to use on non-stick cookware, preventing scratches. This is especially important if you are using a non-stick pan for frying.

Secondly, look for tongs with scalloped edges. Scalloped edges increase the grip and help to securely hold the chicken in place while turning. Flat-headed tongs, on the other hand, tend to be less effective in gripping and turning the chicken.

Additionally, consider the length of the tongs. For everyday cooking, 12-inch tongs are ideal as they provide a good balance between reach and control. If you are cooking smaller pieces of chicken, you may want to use 9-inch tongs, which are perfect for handling and serving small items.

When frying chicken, it is also important to practice good food safety habits. It is recommended to use separate tongs for handling raw and cooked chicken to prevent cross-contamination. Salmonella, a common bacteria found in raw chicken, can contaminate your tongs, so switching tongs after flipping the chicken is a good practice. Alternatively, you can sanitise the tongs by holding them over the grill for a few seconds to heat them up and kill any bacteria.

By following these tips and using the right tongs, you can easily master the art of turning chicken while frying and create delicious, evenly cooked keto chicken dishes.

Frequently asked questions