Keto Fried Chicken (Air Fryer or Oven)

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When I first made this crispy crust Keto Fried Chicken recipe, my husband keeps asking me if I’m sure it’s low carb. The crunchy breading on the chicken thighs sizzled to perfection in the air fryer (or oven), and it’s hard to tell the difference!

If you want an easier way to make them, my Oven Baked Chicken Legs crispy Air Fryer Drumsticks Just as delicious without the fuss of crumbs.

Is Fried Chicken Keto?

Regular fried chicken is not keto friendly as it is breaded with high carb wheat flour, but you can make it keto with low carb bread.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need…

Ingredients and Substitutes

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for keto fried chicken, what each ingredient does in the recipe, and substitution options.For measurements, see recipe card below.

• chicken – I used bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, but you can also use chicken thigh quarters, chicken breast, chicken thigh, or various chicken nuggets. Choose ones that are evenly sized so they cook evenly and at the same rate.
• Wholesome Yum Coconut Flour – Used for dredging, helps eggs stick which in turn helps bread crumbs to stick.
• sea ​​salt and black pepper
• Egg -Dipping the chicken in the egg will make the crumbs stick.you should be able to use egg substitute (such as a flax eggs) here if needed.
• pigskin – you (you) can do it Homemade Pigskin or buy them. Anyway, once you crush them, that’s the keto equivalent of breadcrumbs.you can even get them pre-shredded To save time. If you like a cheesier flavor, you can substitute grated Parmesan cheese for half of the pork rind.
• smoked paprika – Smoked paprika adds a wonderful smoky flavor and color. If you don’t have this spice, you can substitute regular chili powder.
• garlic powder – Instead of fresh garlic, which burns easily, we opted for garlic powder.To incorporate the flavor of fresh garlic, you can mix minced garlic with some butter and put the mixture under the skin like I did Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
• dried thyme – Dried parsley, basil or chives would also work here. Alternatively, use fresh herbs instead (triple the amount).
• cooking spray – I use olive oil cooking spray for extra crispy chicken, but you can also use avocado oil cooking spray.

Variations: Use a different seasoning.

Use Additives Instead of Seasonings italian seasoning or Lemon Pepper Seasoning.Alternatively, supplement the above seasoning with oregano, onion powder, or cayenne pepper. If the spice blend you’re using contains salt, reduce or omit the salt.

How to Make Keto Fried Chicken

This section shows how to make low-carb fried chicken, with step-by-step photos and technical details to help you visualize it.For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see recipe card below.

1. Combine dredging ingredients. In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, sea salt, and black pepper. on hold.
2. Stir in the eggs. In a second medium bowl, whisk eggs. on hold.

3. Mix in the crumbs. In a third bowl, combine ground pork rind, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and thyme.
4. Dredge the chicken. Toss the chicken thighs in the coconut flour mixture and coat all sides. Dip into egg mixture and shake off excess. Press chicken into pork rind mixture. Repeat dredging, dipping, and coating with remaining drumsticks.

Tip: Use one hand for the dry ingredients (coconut flour and pork rind mixture) and the other for the wet egg wash.

This will help keep the dry bowl dry so you don’t end up with non-stick lumpy crumbs.

I also recommend putting most of the third mixture in a separate bowl and adding a little at a time to the bowl you’ll be coating the chicken in. That way, it doesn’t clump together too quickly.

5. Air fry. warm up Air fryer. Lightly grease the basket of the air fryer and place the breaded chicken in a single layer without touching it. Spray all sides with cooking spray. Cook keto fried chicken in an air fryer until its internal temperature reaches 170 degrees Fahrenheit.

Variation: Keto Oven Fried Chicken!

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.Wire bakeware Line with aluminum foil and place an oven-safe rack on top. Roast the chicken thighs in the oven for 25 minutes. Flip and bake an additional 10-20 minutes, or until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 165°F.

storage instructions

• shop: Store leftover keto air fryer chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: You can reheat keto fried chicken in the air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or in the oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until warmed.
• freeze: Wrap tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

What to Serve with Tomato Fried Chicken

Need some ideas on what to serve with these deliciously crispy chicken thighs? Here are some of my favourites:

• sauce – For more flavor, add the sauce to the drumsticks.use my hot sauce Baked Buffalo Wings Coat the chicken after cooking, or soak the legs in Sugar Free Teriyaki SauceSweet barbecue sauceor Herbie Argentinian Chili Sauce.
• air fryer vegetables – cook a hearty meal Air Fryer Okragarlic Air Fryer Green Beanssimple Air Fryer Caulifloweror tender Air Fryer Asparagus.
• classic noodles – I like to pair these legs with Cauliflower Mashed Potatoescreamy Keto Coleslawbuttery Almond Flour Cookiesor sweet Keto Cornbreadside of . Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese Also paired well!
• salad – Broccoli Cauliflower Salad or Cauliflower Potato Salad Makes a quick and easy picnic-style choice, but Kale Salad is another one of my favorites.
• Keto Chips – For a quick and easy side dish, pair keto-friendly fried chicken with garlic and Parmesan Zucchini Friescrispy Tomato Friesor Jicama Fries.

For more ideas, check out all my low carb side dishes or Low Carb Salad Recipes.

More Easy Keto Chicken Recipes

It’s easy to make chicken that satisfies your appetite — no excess carbs! Try these delicious recipes next:

Keto Fried Chicken (Air Fryer or Oven)

Make the best keto fried chicken with your choice of air fryer or oven! It’s super crispy, easy, and has only 1.6 grams of net carbs per serving.

Prepare: 10 minute

chef: 20 minute

all: 30 minute

Serving Size: 6 (adjust according to recipe)

raw material

Click on the underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn off Safari reader mode to view ingredients.

instruct

Click a time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while you cook.

1. In a medium shallow bowl, whisk together the coconut flour, sea salt, and black pepper. on hold.

2. In a second medium bowl, whisk together the eggs. on hold.

3. In a third bowl, combine ground pork rind, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and thyme.

4. Dredge chicken pieces into coconut flour mixture, dip in egg, shake off excess, then press into pork rind mixture. For best results, place most of the third mixture in a separate bowl, and add a little at a time to the bowl you’ll be coating the chicken with. That way, it doesn’t clump together too quickly.

5. warm up Air fryer At 400°F (204°C) 5 minutes. Lightly grease a basket, spray all sides of chicken with cooking spray, and place breaded chicken on top in a single layer without touching.

6. Cook Keto Fried Chicken in the Air Fryer 20 minutesuntil the internal temperature reaches 170°F (77°C). (A safe internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but for dark meat, 170 degrees is the best result for the most tender, juicy meat.)

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recipe notes

Serving Size: 1 chicken drumstick

nutrient content

Amount per serving. Serving sizes in recipe instructions above.

calories 274

fat 15.6 grams

protein 28 grams

total carbohydrates 3.5 grams

net carbs 1.6 grams

fiber 1.9 grams

sugar 0.5 grams

Nutrition facts are provided politely. Questions about calculations or why are you getting different results?Please see our nutrition policy.

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