Keto Side Dishes: Bacon-Wrapped Chicken's Perfect Partners

Bacon-wrapped chicken is a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of sides. For those on a keto diet, there are several options to choose from, such as roasted vegetables, cauliflower rice, roasted veggies, and casseroles.

Some specific side dish suggestions include Zucchini Salad With Lemon & Feta, Oven Roasted Asparagus, Lemon Butter Green Beans, and Almond Flour Keto Biscuits. For a special touch, you could try a Keto Broccoli Casserole or pair it with riced cauliflower or a green salad.

Zucchini Salad With Lemon & Feta

This salad is a great summer side dish, perfect for serving alongside bacon-wrapped chicken. It's a simple recipe that can be prepared in less than 10 minutes and is suitable for those following a keto diet. Here's a step-by-step guide to making this delicious salad.

Ingredients:

• Zucchini: Use two large zucchini or four small ones. You can either spiralize them or cut them into thin ribbons using a vegetable peeler or mandolin.
• Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes work well, halved or quartered if large.
• Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best, but bottled can be used if necessary. You can also add some lemon zest for extra zing.
• Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is recommended, but avocado oil can be used as a substitute.
• Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a creamy texture and salty flavour to the salad.
• Fresh Herbs: Fresh oregano is optional but recommended. You can also use fresh basil, parsley, chives, dill, thyme, rosemary, or mint for added flavour.
• Seasonings: Kosher salt and black pepper to taste.

Optional Add-Ins:

• Protein: Grilled chicken or shrimp can be added for a heartier salad.
• Nuts: Pine nuts or toasted walnuts provide a delicious crunch.
• Cheese: Goat cheese, small balls of fresh mozzarella, or grated parmesan can be used instead of feta.
• Other Vegetables: Thinly sliced red onion, red pepper, fresh corn, celery, fennel, arugula, spinach, or Kalamata olives can be added for extra texture and flavour.

Instructions:

• Prepare the zucchini by spiralizing or cutting into ribbons.
• Make the dressing by blending olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. You can also add lemon zest for extra flavour.
• Combine the zucchini, tomatoes, feta, and herbs in a large bowl.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
• Serve immediately. If preparing ahead of time, wait to add the dressing and cheese until just before serving to maintain the crispness of the zucchini.

This Zucchini Salad with Lemon & Feta is a refreshing and tasty side dish that pairs perfectly with bacon-wrapped chicken. Enjoy!

Oven Roasted Asparagus

A great keto side dish to go with bacon-wrapped chicken is oven-roasted asparagus. This is a simple and quick dish to make, and it goes with almost everything. It is also a healthy option, being gluten-free and packed with vitamins.

Ingredients:

• Asparagus
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon juice
• Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Butter (optional)

Method:

Firstly, preheat your oven to 400°F. While the oven is heating, prepare the asparagus by trimming the woody ends and patting them dry. You can also cut them to the desired size. Place the asparagus on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, and toss to coat evenly. You can also add butter for extra flavour.

Arrange the asparagus in a single layer and bake for 8-15 minutes for thin asparagus or 15-20 minutes for thicker stalks. You will know the asparagus is done when it is bright green, tender, and crispy. You can add parmesan cheese to melt over the asparagus in the last 6-8 minutes of baking.

Serving:

This roasted asparagus is best served fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It is not recommended to freeze asparagus as it can become mushy.

Lemon Butter Green Beans

Ingredients:

• 1 pound of fresh green beans
• 4 tablespoons of butter
• 1 teaspoon of lemon zest
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Optional: 1 tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese for garnish

Cooking Instructions:

First, prepare the green beans by rinsing them under cool water and trimming the stem ends. If you prefer smaller pieces, cut the beans in half.

Next, fill a saute pan or frying pan with about half an inch of salted water and place it on medium-high heat. Once the water comes to a boil, add the green beans, cover the pan, and let them cook for 3-5 minutes. You want the beans to be bright green and slightly tender but still have a bit of crunch.

While the beans are cooking, melt the butter in a separate non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add the lemon zest to the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute.

Once the green beans are done, drain them and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Return the drained green beans to the still-warm skillet with the heat turned off. Add the butter and lemon zest mixture, along with the lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Toss the green beans to coat them evenly with the lemon butter sauce.

Finally, serve the green beans immediately. You can garnish them with grated parmesan cheese if desired.

Tips:

• Don't overcook the green beans. They should retain their vibrant green colour and have a tender-crisp texture.
• You can add other vegetables of your choice to the lemon butter sauce, such as broccoli, asparagus, or carrots.
• This recipe is simple, quick, and adaptable. Feel free to adjust the amounts of butter and lemon to suit your taste preferences.

Enjoy your keto-friendly bacon-wrapped chicken with a side of delicious Lemon Butter Green Beans!

Almond Flour Keto Biscuits

These keto biscuits are a perfect side dish to go with bacon-wrapped chicken. They are tender, fluffy, and easy to make, requiring only a few simple ingredients. Here is a recipe to make these delicious biscuits in just 30 minutes!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of blanched almond flour (super-fine)
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt (or 1/4 teaspoon if you plan to spread something sweet on them)
• 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1/3 cup of unsalted butter (measured solid, then melted; use ghee or coconut oil for paleo or dairy-free)
• 1/4 cup of sour cream (optional; at room temperature; omit or use coconut cream for paleo or dairy-free)

Method:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients: almond flour, baking powder, and sea salt.
• Add the wet ingredients: whisked eggs, melted butter, and sour cream (if using). Stir until the dough is uniform.
• Use a large cookie scoop to portion the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each mound with your hands.
• Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the biscuits are firm and golden.
• Let the biscuits cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving.

Tips:

• It is important to use super-fine almond flour to achieve the best texture.
• For paleo or dairy-free options, you can replace the butter with ghee or butter-flavored coconut oil.
• The sour cream is optional but adds to the texture and makes the biscuits lighter. You can substitute it with Greek yogurt or coconut cream.
• These biscuits go well with both sweet and savory toppings. For a sweet treat, spread some sugar-free Nutella or jam on them, or drizzle with keto maple syrup. For a savory option, serve them with keto chili or low-carb chicken soup.

Garlic Parmesan Zucchini

A great keto side dish to go with bacon-wrapped chicken is garlic parmesan zucchini. This recipe is simple, quick to make, and can be adapted to your taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium or large zucchini
• 1/3 cup parmesan cheese
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• Salt, to taste
• Optional: mayo, butter, olive oil, red pepper/chili flakes, black pepper, and/or basil

Method:

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice the zucchini into 3/4-inch-thick slices. Mince the garlic clove. Combine the parmesan cheese, garlic, and mayo (or butter) in a bowl, and spread the mixture on top of the zucchini slices. Sprinkle salt on top, and add black pepper and red pepper/chili flakes to taste.

Place the zucchini slices on a baking tray and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the zucchini has softened and the topping is golden. If you prefer your zucchini to be more al dente, check on it after 10 minutes and then every few minutes after that.

Serving Suggestions:

This garlic parmesan zucchini recipe is a versatile side dish that goes well with many main courses. It can be served with bacon-wrapped chicken, but also pairs well with stuffed pork chops, BBQ chicken legs, shrimp, and more.

Variations:

For a slightly different take on this recipe, you can turn the zucchini into noodles or ribbons using a spiralizer or julienne peeler. This version is especially good paired with steak, salmon, or other proteins. You can also add extra vegetables, such as tomatoes, or some sausage to make it a more substantial dish.

Health Benefits:

Zucchini is a healthy, low-carb alternative to pasta, and this recipe is a delicious way to include more vegetables in your diet. Zucchini is a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important for eye health and can help protect against macular degeneration. Meanwhile, garlic has been shown to support heart health and improve cognitive function.

Frequently asked questions