Crispy Chicken Keto: Is It Possible?

Crispy chicken can be made keto-friendly by using almond flour, pork rinds, or parmesan cheese as a coating instead of flour. This results in a crispy and crunchy texture on the outside, while keeping the inside moist and juicy. The chicken can be fried, baked, or air-fried, and is often served with sides such as mashed cauliflower, keto collard greens, or coleslaw.

Keto crispy chicken recipe

Ingredients:

• Skin-on chicken (drumsticks, thighs, and/or breast pieces)
• Salt and pepper
• Eggs
• Heavy cream (or unsweetened coconut milk mixed with lemon juice)
• Almond flour (or coconut flour)
• Keto breadcrumbs (or panko breadcrumbs)
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Oil for frying (recommended types include avocado oil, safflower oil, or peanut oil)

Method:

• Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
• In one bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream.
• In a separate bowl, combine the keto breadcrumbs, almond flour, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Dip each piece of chicken into the egg/cream mixture, then into the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated.
• Add 1/2 inch of oil to a deep pan or pot and heat.
• Fry the chicken pieces until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°C.
• Place the chicken on a wire rack to allow any excess oil to drip off.

Alternative Cooking Methods:

Baking:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F.
• Prepare the chicken as instructed above and place the pieces on a lined baking sheet.
• Bake for around 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 75°C/165°F.

Air Frying:

• Prepare the chicken as instructed above and place the pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Air fry at 200°C/400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Ensure the internal temperature reaches 75°C/165°F.

Tips:

• If you are using boneless and/or skinless chicken, decrease the cooking time.
• If you are using a different cut of chicken, such as chicken tenders, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• You can store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze them for up to 6 months.
• To reheat, avoid microwaving as this will make the crust soggy. Instead, use a preheated oven, stovetop, or air fryer.

Serving Suggestions:

• For those on a keto or low-carb diet, serve with a salad, cauliflower mash, steamed vegetables, or dipping sauces.
• For those not on a low-carb diet, serve in a melt, wrap, or with mashed potatoes or rice.

How to make keto crispy chicken

Ingredients

• Skin-on chicken (drumsticks, thighs, and/or breast pieces)
• Salt and pepper
• Eggs
• Heavy cream (or unsweetened coconut milk with a teaspoon of lemon juice)
• Almond flour (or coconut flour)
• Keto breadcrumbs (or panko breadcrumbs)
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Oil with a high smoke point (e.g. avocado oil, safflower oil, or peanut oil)

Method

• Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
• In one bowl, whisk together the eggs and cream. In another bowl, whisk together the keto breadcrumbs, almond flour, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Dip each piece of chicken in the egg/cream mixture, then in the breadcrumb mixture, until coated. Repeat until all the chicken is coated.
• Add ½ inch of oil to a deep pan or pot. Once hot, add the chicken pieces and fry until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°C.
• Place the chicken on a wire rack to allow excess oil to drop off.

Alternative cooking methods

Baking

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F. Place the prepared chicken on a lined baking sheet and bake for around 35-45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 75°C/165°F.

Air frying

Preheat the air fryer to 200°C/400°F. Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 75°C/165°F.

Tips

• If you don't want to fry the chicken, you can bake or air fry it for a healthier option.
• If you want to use another type of flour, sunflower seed flour or coconut flour may work, but almond flour is best for a crispy crust.
• If you're not on a keto diet, you can use regular flour or panko breadcrumbs instead of keto breadcrumbs.
• You can serve the chicken with a dipping sauce made from mayonnaise and hot sauce.

Tips for extra crispy chicken

Making extra crispy chicken is not as simple as just frying some chicken. There are a number of steps you can take to ensure your chicken is as crispy as possible. Here are some tips to help you get that extra crispy texture:

Tenderize the meat

Use a needle tenderizer to drive metal spikes through the meat, or simply use a fork to poke holes in the chicken. This will help to maximise the next step of brining.

Brine the chicken

Brining makes the chicken tender and juicy. Make a simple brine of salt and water in a bowl and add the chicken. Ideally, leave it in the fridge overnight. You can also do a dry brine, which is more like a rub. Add spices, but the key ingredient is salt, which helps to make the chicken tender.

Season the flour

Don't dredge your chicken in plain flour. Add lots of cayenne pepper to make it spicy, but not too spicy. You can also add paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Mix wet and dry

Keep a "wet hand" and a "dry hand" when breading chicken for frying, but also mix the two a little. Dip your wet hand into the buttermilk and hold it over the flour to let it drip into the mixture. Then, take your dry hand and mix it up. Repeat the process a few times before breading.

Press down hard when dredging

When dredging with buttermilk and flour, press down hard on the chicken to ensure the breading stays on when you fry it.

Fry twice

Fry the chicken at 250 degrees for five minutes, or 12 minutes if it's bone-in chicken. Let it rest for 15 to 20 minutes, then fry again for two to three minutes for breasts or five minutes for bone-in chicken.

Leave plenty of room

Be careful not to drop too much chicken into the oil at once, as it can lower the temperature of the oil, resulting in soggy, greasy chicken. Fry in small batches, keeping a close eye on the oil temperature.

Use the right oil

Vegetable oil is perfect for frying chicken because it has a high smoke point. Alternatively, use an oil with a high smoke point like avocado oil, safflower oil, or peanut oil.

Use the right cut

The best cuts of chicken are thigh pieces, drumsticks, or breasts. Avoid using wings or mini drumsticks.

Best cuts of chicken for keto crispy chicken

Chicken is a versatile meat that can be cooked in a variety of ways and is a great option for those on a keto or low-carb diet. If you're looking to make keto crispy chicken, here are the best cuts of chicken to use:

Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are a great option for crispy chicken as they have a higher fat content, which adds flavour and moisture to the dish. They are also less likely to dry out during cooking, making them a good choice for frying. Chicken thighs can be used with the bone-in or boneless, but it is recommended to keep the skin on for optimal crispiness.

Chicken Drumsticks

Drumsticks are another good option for keto crispy chicken, especially if you're looking for that classic fried chicken texture. They can be cooked with the bone-in and skin-on, which adds to the crispiness of the dish. Drumsticks are also a good choice for a keto-friendly alternative to traditional fried chicken.

Chicken Breasts

Chicken breasts are a leaner option but can still be used to make crispy chicken. It is recommended to slice the breasts horizontally to make them thinner, which helps the coating adhere better and also reduces cooking time. Chicken breasts are a good choice if you're looking for a quicker cooking option or want to bake your crispy chicken instead of frying.

Wings

Chicken wings are a fun and tasty option for keto crispy chicken. They are a great party food and can be easily adapted to a keto or low-carb diet. Wings can be fried or baked and are best served with a dipping sauce.

Other Cuts

While the above-mentioned cuts are the most popular for crispy chicken, you can also use other parts of the chicken such as legs or even a whole chicken. The key to achieving crispiness is in the preparation and coating of the chicken, as well as ensuring the skin is on during cooking.

In summary, the best cuts of chicken for keto crispy chicken are thighs, drumsticks, breasts, and wings. Each cut offers something different in terms of flavour, texture, and cooking time, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences and cooking methods.

How to store keto crispy chicken

Storing keto crispy chicken is easy. If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. If you want to keep them for longer, you can place the chicken in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to six months. When you're ready to eat your crispy chicken, avoid reheating it in the microwave, as this will make the crust soggy. Instead, reheat it in a preheated oven, on the stovetop, or in an air fryer.

Frequently asked questions