This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
My keto chicken nuggets are crispy, juicy, and made in the oven, air fryer, or stovetop! Ready in 15 minutes, I love how there are only 1 grams net carbs!
Need more fun keto chicken recipes? Try my keto chicken wings, keto chicken tenders, and keto buffalo chicken dip next.
Breaded chicken should be its own food group.
Don’t get me wrong—classic grilled or air fryer chicken breast is delicious, but once you add breading to chicken, you’re speaking a totally different language.
Classic chicken nuggets use copious amounts of breading and hidden sugar, but my keto chicken nuggets are infinitely crispier, juicier, and more flavorful…just sans carbs.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Multiple cooking methods. I tested the oven, stovetop, and air fryer methods, so you can choose whichever is more convenient.
- Simple ingredients. Most of which you probably have on hand.
- Super convenient. You can use chicken breasts or canned chicken!
- Better than fast food. Nothing bums me out more than ordering chicken nuggets only to find it’s 99% breading. These nuggets are packed with perfectly cooked meat and have an ingredient list I can actually pronounce!
Ingredients needed
- Chicken breast. I used boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces. Make sure they’re uniform, so they cook evenly.
- Crushed pork rinds. My favorite keto bread crumb substitute. If you don’t have pork rinds, you can use blanched almond flour.
- Parmesan cheese. To add flavor to the batter.
- Celery salt. My secret ingredient for making these nuggets fast food-worthy.
- Salt and black pepper. To taste. Start lightly since the celery salt will be quite flavorful.
- Eggs. To dredge the chicken pieces in.
How to make keto chicken nuggets
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Prep. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. In one bowl, whisk the eggs with both salts and pepper. In a second bowl, combine the parmesan and breadcrumbs.
Step 2- Dredge the chicken. Toss the chopped chicken in the egg mixture until fully coated. Add the chicken pieces to the dry ingredients and toss to coat.
Step 3- Bake. Place the breaded chicken on the baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes or until golden and crispy. Serve warm.
Alternative cooking methods
If you’d rather make your chicken nuggets in the air fryer or over the stovetop, you definitely can. Here’s how:
Air fryer method. A low-carb version of my air fryer chicken nuggets, prepare the nuggets as instructed, and add them to a greased air fryer basket in an even layer. Air fry at 200C/400F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Stovetop method. Prepare the nuggets. Heat a deep skillet with oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the nuggets and cook for 2-3 minutes, then flip and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes. Transfer the nuggets to a paper towel-lined plate.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Use canned chicken instead. Just make sure there’s no added sauce or sugar in it.
- Don’t overbake the nuggets. Unlike classic nuggets, the breading will not darken too much, so they won’t get overly golden brown. If you’re unsure if they’re done, use a meat thermometer and look for an internal temperature of 165F.
- Add spices to the batter, like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or cayenne pepper for a spicy kick.
What to serve with these
These nuggets don’t need much in order to taste good. Personally, I like serving them alongside keto french fries or zucchini fries. But of course, you can’t forget your favorite dipping sauces, like sugar-free ketchup, sugar-free BBQ sauce, keto honey mustard, or keto ranch dressing.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover nuggets must be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days.
To freeze: Once the nuggets have cooled, place them in a ziplock bag or shallow container. You can then store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
To reheat: I do not recommend reheating in the microwave; otherwise, you’ll lose the crispiness. I recommend either re-heating in the oven, air fryer, or in a non-stick pan.
Frequently asked questions
There are just 1.5 grams of net carbs in a serving of my keto buggets.
You can use coconut flour instead of almond flour/keto bread crumbs. However, you’ll need to halve the amount.
More low carb chicken favorites
Keto Chicken Nuggets
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast chopped into bite sized pieces
- 2 large eggs whisked
- 1 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup keto bread crumbs or almond flour
- 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, add your celery salt, salt, and pepper, and whisk together with the eggs. Add the chopped chicken and mix well so all the chicken is coated. In a separate bowl, whisk together the parmesan cheese and keto bread crumbs.
- Add the chicken pieces in the dry mix, ensuring all sides are completely coated.
- Place the breaded chicken on the lined tray and bake for 15-17 minutes, or until golden and crispy.
- Remove the nuggets from the oven and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally updated May 2022, updated and republished July 2024
My kids loves this recipe…
Great!
Thank you! Oh nice- I’ll have to join up one day!
They look properly delicious! I shall be making them!
Thanks so much! I hope you do try it out! 🙂
Arman,
I can’t really comment on BK nuggets or video games (though if you want to talk pizza or knitting I’m all over it) but reading this sparked the memory of those Pachinko parlors in Japan.
When I was stationed in northern Japan I’d walk past seeing the folks zombie-eyed playing constantly. The noise, the bright lights and constant barrage of colors were impressive.
While I don’t know if I’ve ever had a BK nugget, yours look loads better than anything I’ve ever seen outside of a fast food commercial. My sis in law gave me smoked Spanish paprika for Christmas and I like the idea of testing it out in this recipe.
Thanks!
Smoked paprika pizza perhaps? 😉
Wow, being stationed in Japan would have been an amazing experience!
They look really delicious. I do mine almost similar but I also add shredded coconut. I’ll leave this out next time. They look worth a try!
What do you think, if you had actually saved the money, would you have been able to afford a machine on your own at some point?
I tried with coconut but it was too overwhelming- Try this version!
Haha…I probably would have.
I used to LOVE Burger King chicken nuggets! I’ll be trying this soon!
Thank you! They TRUMP McDonalds 😉
Those look so delicious! I’ve never had Burger King nuggets– and the last time I had McDonalds ones, I was probably 18, and really sick, and craving something simple– and I bit into one and it had bones in it. Totally freaked me out. Cured me of that craving.
I’d much prefer to make them at home this days. KL is having a bit of a almond flour shortage.. but as soon as I can get my hands on it, these will be made!
Promise they are delicious! Hope you can find some soon, Michelle! 🙂
I like both Burger King and McDonalds!!!
That is why you’re awesome.
Ahh oh my goodness this reminds me of the time my mom would take my brother and me to the McDonald’s in Kansas that also had a jet ski video game. My brother would play and I would have fun watching and pretending like I was not landlocked in Kansas. My I would always get a filet o’ fish and Reese’s pieces as a treat. HAHA EW.
Wait…How did I miss you were from Kansas? No wonder you look like the wicked witch of the west.
Only lived there for three years, but I think I look more like Toto
Toto? Don’t push it. You look like the glass slipper.
Glass slipper is Cinderella. Dorothy had the red slippers. Get it right.
hahaha Street Fighter. Good choice. Although when it comes to those sorts of fighter/melee games, Mortal Kombat, Tekken and Soul Caliber are where it’s at. Do I sound nerdy right now? I feel like I sound nerdy right now.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had Burger King Chicken Nuggets! It was never my first choice of fast food, so I think I’ve only had their fries and chicken sandwiches.
OH YES! FINISH HER. Omg, I want to play it now!
Well, their chicken from their chicken sandwiches taste like this!
I was never a nugget fan growing up – I always went for the McDonalds happy meal with a cheeseburger. I think I’ve only eaten at Burger King like once in my life! Also I’m no longer on speaking terms with Burger King because they took over the location of a beloved local burger joint here in Burlington. I’m not impressed with them.
How dare they go against Queen Chelsea. They must be shattered!
But seriously, why have you NOT moved in with me yet?! We would be such fatties, except NOT because we eat HEALTHIER versions of deliciousness!
Dude. My wish. I’d even bring my own camel toe.
Yum! What a great idea! I used to work at Maccas and practically lived off chicken nuggets for two years. Oh, the shame.
Shame? All the FOOD!
These look insane. I honesty could live off chicken tenders/chicken nuggets every night of the week and be content. PINNING!!!
Not going to lie, I ate these for breakfast. Hope your well buddy!
I remember those Street Fighter games… I had the biggest crush on Ryu 😛 I was a video game junkie growing up (and I still am), so I spent a tonne of time playing that and basically every other game out there. Heck, I -still- dabble in WoW when I have a spare minute 😉 And I’ve always been about the McD’s chicken nuggets. With extra sweet n sour, obviously.
LOL. I dressed up as Ryu for a party when I was younger and no one knew who I was. My friend went as Chun Li and they thought she was a hooker…