Keto Fried Chicken: Delicious, Easy Side Dishes To Try

If you're looking for the perfect side dish to serve with your lazy keto fried chicken, look no further! Here are some mouth-watering options that will complement your juicy, crispy chicken perfectly.

For a classic comfort food combo, why not try making some keto-friendly mac and cheese? This dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser and will leave your guests wanting more. If you're short on time, a simple tossed green salad or some roasted broccoli with cheese sauce can be a great option.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could whip up some fried zucchini to satisfy those fried food cravings. And let's not forget the ultimate side dish for fried chicken – coleslaw! It's a refreshing and crunchy addition to your meal.

For a heartier option, you could make some mashed cauliflower, which is a keto-friendly alternative to mashed potatoes. And if you're craving something with a kick, why not try making a spicy sauce with mayo, stone-ground mustard, and fresh dill?

So, there you have it! These side dishes will surely elevate your lazy keto fried chicken and make your meal even more memorable. Enjoy!

Keto fried chicken with a whey protein coating

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs, wings, chicken breast or drumsticks
• Whey protein powder
• Baking powder
• Spices (smoked paprika, garlic salt, ground ginger, black pepper, ground mustard, dried thyme, celery seed, dried oregano)
• Buttermilk (heavy whipping cream, white vinegar, egg whites, vodka)
• Avocado oil, for frying

Method:

• Prepare the chicken by patting it dry with a paper towel and seasoning with salt. Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight.
• Make the spice blend by combining the spices in a small bowl. Reserve half of the seasoning mix for the breading mixture.
• Pat the chicken dry and coat with the spice blend.
• Make keto buttermilk by adding white vinegar to heavy cream. Let sit for 15-30 minutes.
• Prepare oil for frying by adding avocado oil to a saucepan or Dutch oven. Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
• Make the buttermilk wash by combining keto buttermilk, egg whites, vodka and baking powder in a shallow bowl.
• Make the breading mixture by combining protein powder, baking powder, salt and remaining spice mix in a large bowl.
• Dip a piece of chicken in the buttermilk wash and then transfer to the breading mixture. Press the breading into the chicken to coat evenly.
• Immediately fry the coated chicken in the hot oil for 12-15 minutes, flipping occasionally, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
• Repeat with the remaining chicken.

Tips:

• For extra crispy chicken, use buttermilk and egg whites instead of whole eggs.
• Vodka helps create flaky layers in the coating.
• Refrigerated chicken should be brought to room temperature before frying.
• Don't overcrowd the fry bath to ensure even cooking and prevent the breading from knocking off.
• Fry the chicken immediately after coating to prevent the protein powder from absorbing moisture.

Storage:

Store leftover fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Reheat in an air fryer for 2-3 minutes to crisp up.

Keto fried chicken with an almond flour coating

Ingredients:

• Skin-on chicken (drumsticks, thighs, and/or breast pieces)
• Salt and pepper
• Eggs
• Heavy cream
• Almond flour
• Keto breadcrumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Oil for frying (avocado oil, safflower oil, or peanut oil are recommended)

Method:

• Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
• In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and cream.
• In a separate 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 this process 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.

Tips:

• If you don't want to fry the chicken, you can bake it in the oven. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F and bake the chicken for 35-40 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 75°C/165°F.
• You can also air fry the chicken for a quicker and healthier option. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C/400°F and cook for 20 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 75°C/165°F.
• If you want to add some spice to your chicken, try coating it in a mixture of garlic powder, celery salt, hot chilli powder, and dried oregano before dipping it in the egg mixture.

Serving Suggestions:

• Cauliflower mac and cheese
• Cauliflower mash
• Coleslaw
• Green beans or other low-carb veggies

Keto fried chicken with a pork rind coating

This keto-friendly fried chicken is coated with crushed pork rinds and baked in the oven to crispy perfection. The recipe is simple, requiring just a few basic steps and ingredients. The result is a delicious, juicy, and crispy chicken that rivals any Southern-fried chicken.

Ingredients:

• Crushed pork rinds (you can make your own or buy pre-packaged "pork panko")
• Spices: black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried thyme
• Eggs or heavy cream (for dipping the chicken)
• Skin-on chicken parts (thighs, drumsticks, or a mix)

Optional Ingredients and Substitutions:

• Instead of eggs, you can use thick buttermilk, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, or a mixture for dipping the chicken.
• Experiment with different spices like smoked paprika, ground cumin, or dried oregano.
• For a keto-friendly breading, combine crushed pork rinds with seasonings in a shallow bowl.

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and fit it with a greased roasting rack.
• Crush the pork rinds into fine crumbs using a food processor or place them in a bag and crush with a rolling pin.
• In a bowl, mix the crushed pork rinds with your desired spices.
• Dip each chicken piece in the eggs or heavy cream, then coat them in the seasoned pork rind crumbs.
• Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared rack.
• Bake for about 40-45 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
• Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• Divide the crushed pork rinds into portions. The coating can get soggy after dipping multiple chicken pieces.
• Pork rinds are very salty, so there is no need to add extra salt to the mixture.
• For a crispier texture, make your own crushed pork rinds instead of buying pre-packaged "pork panko."
• If you prefer deep-frying, be aware that low-carb coatings like pork rinds may not adhere as well and can disintegrate in oil.

Side Dishes:

• Roasted mini peppers
• Salads such as homemade coleslaw, cucumber vinegar salad, or cherry tomato salad

Keto fried chicken with a parmesan coating

Ingredients

• Skin-on chicken breasts (about 4 lbs.)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Finely crushed pork rinds
• Freshly grated parmesan
• Eggs
• Heavy cream
• Almond flour
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt

Method

• Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream. In another shallow bowl, combine the almond flour, pork rinds, parmesan, garlic powder, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper.
• Working with one piece at a time, dip the chicken in the egg mixture and then in the almond flour mixture, pressing to coat.
• Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake until the chicken is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make a dipping sauce by combining mayonnaise and hot sauce in a medium bowl. Add more hot sauce to reach your desired level of spiciness.
• Serve the chicken warm with the dipping sauce.

Tips

• For a crispier texture, you can fry the chicken in a generous amount of oil instead of baking it.
• If you prefer your chicken well-done, you can increase the baking time.
• To make this dish even spicier, you can add red pepper flakes to the breading mixture.
• If you're short on time, you can use an air fryer to cook the chicken. Place the breaded chicken in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

What to Serve with Keto Fried Chicken

• Salad
• Cauliflower mash
• Steamed vegetables
• Dipping sauces
• Keto pasta
• Keto French fries

Keto fried chicken with a gluten-free coating

This recipe for keto-friendly fried chicken uses a gluten-free coating, making it suitable for those with gluten intolerance or coeliac disease. The chicken is coated in a mixture of eggs, almond flour, crushed pork rinds, and Parmesan cheese, before being baked in the oven. This method produces a perfectly crisp chicken that tastes just like it has been fried.

Ingredients:

• Bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (about 4 lbs.)
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Finely crushed pork rinds
• Freshly grated Parmesan
• Eggs
• Heavy cream
• Almond flour
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and heavy cream. In another shallow bowl, combine the almond flour, pork rinds, Parmesan, garlic powder, and paprika. Season with salt and pepper.
• Working one piece at a time, dip the chicken in the egg mixture, then in the almond flour mixture, pressing to coat. Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake until the chicken is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make a dipping sauce by combining mayonnaise and hot sauce. Add more hot sauce to taste.
• Serve the chicken warm with the dipping sauce.

Tips:

• You can use other cuts of chicken, such as thighs or drumsticks, but adjust the baking time accordingly. If using boneless, skinless chicken, reduce the baking time.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free almond flour and ensure that the other ingredients are also gluten-free.
• To make the chicken extra crispy, double-coat the chicken by dipping it in the egg mixture and almond flour mixture twice.
• If you prefer a spicier chicken, add some cayenne pepper to the almond flour mixture.

Frequently asked questions