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Keto Chicken Nuggets

Dom Lorenzo
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These keto chicken nuggets are a crispy and delicious take on your favorite fast food. Coated with crunchy almond flour and Parmesan crust, they are juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside — so perfect you will never miss the carb-loaded breadcrumbs.

Golden keto nuggets, crisp outside and tender inside, with one sliced to reveal its texture.
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Preparation and Cooking Overview

These keto chicken nuggets are easy to make and even better than your favorite fast food! Dip bite-sized chicken pieces into an egg wash, coat them in a seasoned almond flour mixture, and bake until crispy. In just 30 minutes, you'll have golden, juicy nuggets ready to enjoy!

Chef's note

For a fun twist, pound the chicken breasts flat with a meat mallet instead of cutting them into bite-sized pieces. This creates delicious cutlets that are perfect for sandwiches or Japanese curry—a family favorite!

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 4 Servings
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Ingredients for this Keto Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Here are all the ingredients you will need to make keto chicken nuggets at home:

  • 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, for frying, or cooking spray for baking

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Almond flour: If you are allergic to nuts or just don't want to use it, replace almond flour with crushed pork rinds. The recipe works just fine with pork rinds.
  • Boneless chicken thighs: Instead of chicken breasts, use chicken thighs for a juicier texture.

Additional Ingredients

  • Spice: Add ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the seasoning mix for that spicy heat.

Cooking Tools Required

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Tongs or fork

How to Make Keto Chicken Nuggets: Step-by-Step Guide

Cooking Methods

  • Baking

Preparation Steps

  1. Gather and measure all the ingredients.
  2. Cut skinless, boneless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and set aside.
  3. Grate Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
  4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Prepare the coating in a bowl by mixing the almond flour, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.
  3. In another bowl, whisk the eggs until well combined.
  4. Then, dip each piece of chicken into the egg wash, then roll it in the almond flour mixture until well coated.
  5. Press the coating onto the chicken to ensure it sticks.
  6. Place the coated chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Lightly spray with cooking spray and bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through.

Other Ways to Make Keto Chicken Nuggets

We chose to bake these chicken nuggets because we don't lose any of the parmesan breading like we do when frying in hot oil. But if you want, you can make them in oil or an air fryer.

  • Frying: Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chicken nuggets in batches, cooking for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and serve.
  • Air Fryer: Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each nugget. Lightly spray the nuggets with cooking spray for extra crispiness and air fry at 400°F for about 7 minutes per side.

Chef's pro tip

Soak the chicken in spiced buttermilk for 15 minutes before coating it to make it extra juicy and flavorful. It adds a hint of spice and keeps the chicken perfectly tender—your nuggets will be next-level delicious!

What to Serve with Keto Chicken Nuggets

Your crispy, golden nuggets deserve the perfect sides and dips to complete the meal! Here are some tasty, keto-friendly ideas to pair with them:

  • Dipping sauces: Pair with keto-friendly ranch, sugar-free ketchup, or homemade keto honey mustard for extra flavor.
  • Veggie sides: Serve the nuggets alongside roasted broccoli, zucchini fries, or a fresh cucumber salad for a low-carb meal.

Time-Saving Tips

  • Buy pre-cut chicken from the store or ask your butcher to cut it into bite-sized pieces to save prep time.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage Instructions

  • Fridge: Store the cooked nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Freezer: Freeze uncooked, coated nuggets on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to a month.

Best Reheating Instructions

  • Oven: Reheat the store buggets in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8-10 minutes until heated through and crispy.
  • Air Fryer: Reheat in an air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes for a quick and crispy finish.

Recipe Wrap-Up and Conclusion

These keto chicken nuggets are the perfect low-carb answer to your fast-food cravings. They’re easy to make, versatile, and incredibly satisfying. Whether baked or fried, these nuggets are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and sure to be a hit with everyone in the family. Serve them with your favorite keto-friendly dipping sauce, and enjoy a delicious, guilt-free meal!

Frequently asked questions

No, traditional chicken nuggets aren’t keto-friendly due to their carb-loaded breading. However, you can enjoy this keto version made with almond flour and Parmesan.

Yes, you can substitute almond flour with crushed pork rinds for a nut-free option. The pork rinds create an equally crispy coating.

Use crushed pork rinds or double-dip the chicken in the egg wash and coating for a thicker, crunchier layer.

Make sure the chicken is dry before coating and press the almond flour mixture firmly onto each piece.

📖 Recipe

Golden keto nuggets, crisp outside and tender inside, with one sliced to reveal its texture.

Keto Chicken Nuggets

These crispy and juicy nuggets are a fast-food favorite made low-carb with a Parmesan and almond flour crust—perfect for satisfying cravings in just 30 minutes!
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Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: 30-minute
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 439kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for frying, or cooking spray for baking
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • Prepare the coating in a bowl by mixing the almond flour, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, sea salt, and black pepper.
  • In another bowl, whisk the eggs until well combined.
  • Then, dip each piece of chicken into the egg wash, then roll it in the almond flour mixture until well coated.
  • Press the coating onto the chicken to ensure it sticks.
  • Place the coated chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  • Lightly spray with cooking spray and bake for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through, until the nuggets are golden brown and cooked through.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Chicken Nuggets
Amount Per Serving
Calories 439 Calories from Fat 261
% Daily Value*
Fat 29g45%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Trans Fat 0.02g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 8g
Cholesterol 165mg55%
Sodium 673mg29%
Potassium 494mg14%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 37g74%
Vitamin A 385IU8%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 191mg19%
Iron 2mg11%
*

Nutritional values are estimates only and do not include carbs from sugar alcohols.

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