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Keto Nachos: A Delicious and Healthy Twist on the Classic Snack

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These keto nachos are the perfect way to satisfy your cravings without compromising on your health goals. Packed with flavor and loaded with healthy ingredients, this nacho recipe is a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious and guilt-free snack with fun nacho toppings!

Keto Nachos in a cast iron skillet topped with salsa, avocado, sour cream, radishes, and more
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We have put away some nachos in our days, but these Keto Nachos are the new nacho king.

Every bite is crunchy and cheesy with a little bit of spice, just like a good plate of nachos should taste. And because of the general shape of pork rinds, they are a superior queso carrier than the more traditional corn tortilla chip.

Pork rinds in a skillet

Personally, corn has always been a problem in our diet. Pre-Keto a lot of our snacks and meals relied on highly processed corn products. Even after being keto for a while, a warm basket of tortilla chips at our favorite Mexican restaurant was our kryptonite.

But we know better now, corn is one of the biggest players in causing widespread inflammation.  If you aren’t feeling 100% try keeping a food journal and identify the foods that cause issues and make substitutions when necessary. Eliminating foods that negatively affect your body is one of the quickest and easiest ways the feel your absolute best. However, sometimes finding which foods those are can be tricky.

  • Prep Time:20 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 Minutes
  • Difficulty Level: Easy
  • Recipe Makes 6 Servings

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 2.5 oz bags pork rinds

Toppings

  • 8 ounces queso cheese, we recommend Siete Cashew Queso or Queso Blanco
  • 2 avocados, diced
  • ½ cup pico de gallo
  • ¼ cup minced cilantro
  • 4 radishes, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 jalapeños, sliced
  • Black pepper flakes

Ingredient substitutions

  • If taco seasoning is unavailable, you can make your own by mixing one teaspoon of chili powder, cumin powder, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt.
  • You can use any other type of meat, like brown ground beef, turkey, or pork, instead of chicken thighs.
  • Instead of pork rinds, you can use low-carb tortilla chips, chicharrones, or even kale chips for a healthier option.
  • You can add your favorite toppings like sliced black olives, diced tomatoes, cheddar cheese, or shredded lettuce. Other tasting toppings of your choice are also appreciated as long as they don't break your ketosis.

Additional ingredients

  • You can squeeze lime juice over the classic nachos before serving for a zesty kick.
  • You can add hot sauce or diced jalapeños to the keto nacho cheese for amazing nacho toppings.
  • If you prefer a creamier texture, you can add a tablespoon of cream cheese to the melted queso cheese.

Note: Make sure to check the labels of the ingredients to ensure they are keto-friendly and fit into your daily carb limit.

Cooking tools required

To make these low-carb Nachos, you will need the following cooking instruments:

  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Large Skillet
  • Oven

Tools substitute options

If you don't have access to the tools mentioned above, there are some substitutes you can use:

  • Instead of a baking sheet, you can use a casserole dish or any oven-safe dish.
  • If you don't have parchment paper, you can use aluminum foil to line the baking sheet or dish.
  • A large skillet is necessary to cook the meat, but you can use a regular-sized skillet and cook the meat in batches.

How to make Keto Nachos: step-by-step guide

Cooking methods

This recipe can be cooked using a variety of methods. Some options include:

Frying:

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add the chicken thighs to the pan and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning and ½ teaspoon of salt over them.
  3. Cook it for 8-10 minutes or until it is browned and cooked through, stirring occasionally.
  4. Remove it from the pan and set it aside on a plate.
  5. In the same pan, add 2 bags of pork rinds and fry them for 1-2 minutes until they are golden and crispy.
  6. Remove the pork rinds from the pan and set them aside on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  7. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
  8. Spread the fried pork rinds in an even layer on a baking sheet.
  9. Pour the cooked chicken over the pork rinds and top with 8 ounces of queso cheese.
  10. Bake the nachos for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  11. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and top the pork rind nachos with diced avocado, pico de gallo, minced cilantro, thinly sliced radishes, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños.
  12. Serve and enjoy!

Baking:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Mix avocado oil, taco seasoning, and salt in a small bowl.
  3. Coat chicken in the seasoning mixture.
  4. Crush pork rinds and coat chicken in them.
  5. Place chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
  7. Dice avocado, mince cilantro, slice radishes, and jalapeños for toppings.
  8. Let the chicken cool for a few minutes.
  9. Spread sharp cheddar cheese and add toppings.
  10. Drizzle sour cream on top.
  11. Serve immediately and enjoy nacho flavors!

AirFryer:

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Mix avocado oil, taco seasoning, and salt in a small bowl.
  3. Coat chicken pieces in seasoning mixture and add crushed pork rinds to separate bowl.
  4. Cook chicken mixture in the air fryer for 8-10 minutes.
  5. Heat queso cheese and layer pork rinds, chicken, and melted cheese on a serving platter.
  6. Add your favorite nacho toppings and serve immediately.

Chef's pro tip

One important tip for making delicious keto chicken nachos is to ensure that the chicken is evenly coated in the seasoning mixture and that the pork rind coating is crushed into small, even pieces. This will ensure that the chicken is flavorful and the coating is crispy and evenly distributed.

How to make it healthier

This is already a healthier version of regular nachos, but if you want something low carb you can make certain changes and have a healthy meal!

  • Use skinless, boneless ground chicken breasts instead of thighs as taco meat. They are leaner and contain fewer fats.
  • Instead of using plain pork rinds, use baked or air-popped tortilla chips or use vegetables like sliced bell peppers or zucchini as a base.
  • Instead of using plenty of cheese, opt for a lower-fat cheese, such as reduced-fat cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella, for a healthier melty cheese texture.
  • Use homemade taco seasoning to control the amount of sodium and avoid any added preservatives or fillers. Kosher salt is also a great option while making the seasoning.
  • Add more veggies to the toppings, like shredded lettuce, green onions, diced tomatoes, or chopped bell peppers for great keto bell pepper nachos. You can add tasty toppings by seasoning them well.
  • By making these substitutions, you can reduce the calorie and fat content while increasing the nutrient density.

Time-saving tips

Here are some time-saving tips that can help you make this recipe quickly and efficiently when you're short on time:

  • Use pre-cooked chicken: You can save time by using it instead of cooking it from scratch. Simply shred the cooked meat and mix it with the seasoning before adding it to the mixture. If you're making this recipe with lean ground beef, you can use seasoned ground beef that you had made ahead of time before the actual recipe.
  • Pre-cut toppings: You can also save time by prepping the toppings ahead of time. Dice the avocados, chop the cilantro, and slice the jalapeños and radishes in advance. This way, you can simply sprinkle them over the low-carb nachos chips when they're ready.
  • Use store-bought queso: Instead of making your own queso, you can use store-bought queso to save time. Look for a brand that uses clean and keto-friendly ingredients, and heat it up before drizzling it over the carb-free nachos.

What can I prepare ahead of time?

To save time and make the cooking process smoother, there are a few things you can prepare ahead of time. Firstly, you can marinate the chicken in taco seasoning, salt, and avocado oil for up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.

This will not only save time but will also help the chicken to absorb the flavors more thoroughly. You can do the same for beef mixtures if you're using beef in your recipe.

Additionally, you can make the pico de gallo, diced avocados, and sliced jalapeños a day in advance and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. You can also mince the cilantro and thinly slice the radishes in advance and store them separately as well.

Preparing these items ahead of time will help streamline the cooking process and allow you to focus on frying or baking the chicken and assembling the no-carb nachos without any interruptions.

Storage and reheating instructions

If you have any leftovers, make sure to store them properly to avoid spoilage. You can store the leftovers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

When reheating the leftovers, you can microwave nachos in the oven. If you choose to reheat them in the microwave, make sure to cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or wrap it to prevent the cheese from drying out.

Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until the desired temperature is reached.

For reheating, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spread the leftovers out evenly on a baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet with foil to prevent the cheese from burning.

Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the low-carb nacho chips are heated through.

Always make sure that the leftovers are reheated to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure that they are safe to eat.

Keto Nachos in a cast iron skillet topped with chicken, cheese, pico de gallo, and more

Recipe wrap-up and conclusion

Low Carb Keto Nachos are a delicious and satisfying low-carb snack option that can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their dietary restrictions.

This recipe is easy to follow and can be made in a variety of ways to suit your taste and cooking preferences.

Whether you choose to fry, bake, or air-fry your keto nachos cheese, they are sure to be a family favorite Mexican food.

Whether you are looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing party snack, these Keto Nachos are sure to be a hit. So why not give them a try and discover the delicious world of keto snacking today?

Some other great keto-friendly Mexican-inspired ideas:

Frequently asked questions

They are not typically considered keto-friendly due to the high carb content of traditional quest tortilla chips. However, with some modifications and substitutions, it is possible to make keto-friendly nachos with pork rinds.

They are typically made with low-carb alternatives to traditional ingredients. For example, the actual tortilla chips may be substituted with plain pork rinds or low-carb tortilla chips, and the cheese may be a keto-friendly variety like cheddar or goat cheese for a great nacho cheese dip.

Traditional ones made with high-carb tortilla chips and beans are high in carbs and can potentially kick you out of ketosis. However, by making some modifications and substitutions, it is possible to fulfill keto-friendly nacho requirements that fit within your macros.

Traditional Nachos can be very high in carbs, often containing 30-40 grams of carbs per serving, and most people consume far more than one serving.

However, by using low-carb alternatives and making some substitutions, it is possible to make keto-friendly homemade nachos with significantly fewer carbs. Do check the recipe card for a detailed breakdown of net carbs.

Several low-carb alternatives can be used for keto-friendly nachos, including pork rinds or sliced vegetables like zucchini or cucumber.

📖 Recipe

Keto Nachos in a cast iron skillet topped with salsa, avocado, sour cream, radishes, and more

Keto Nachos

These Keto Nachos are loaded with super crispy chicken, creamy queso, and all the toppings your heart could possibly desire!
5 from 2 votes
Print Rate Pin Recipe
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Mexican, Southwestern
Keyword: comfort, gameday, keto
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 510kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 pound skinless boneless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 2.5 oz bags pork rinds

Toppings:

  • 8 ounces queso cheese we Siete Cashew Queso or Queso Blanco
  • 2 avocados diced
  • ½ cup pico de gallo
  • ¼ cup minced cilantro
  • 4 radishes thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 jalapeños sliced

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a 10.5″ cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with the taco seasoning and the salt. Add to the pan in a single layer and cook 10-15 minutes only flipping occasionally. You want the chicken to get crispy.
  • Place the pork rinds on a serving platter and drizzle with queso, top with chicken, avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro, sour cream, jalapeños, and radishes. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Keto Nachos
Amount Per Serving
Calories 510 Calories from Fat 378
% Daily Value*
Fat 42g65%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Cholesterol 125mg42%
Sodium 1160mg50%
Potassium 590mg17%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 37g74%
Vitamin A 715IU14%
Vitamin C 14mg17%
Calcium 246mg25%
Iron 1mg6%
*

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

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