These keto chicken nuggets are crispy on the outside, juicy in the middle, and satisfy the fast food cravings! Ready in just 15 minutes, they can be baked, fried, or made in the air fryer. 2 grams net carbs per serving.
Breaded chicken should be its own food group.
While a classic grilled or air fried chicken breast is delicious, it can sometimes be quite bland. Once you add breading to chicken, it transforms it into something quite magical.
Now, traditional breading uses flour and bread crumbs, but you can easily make a keto version with a few small tweaks. Our favorite keto chicken recipes that use breaded chicken include chicken parmesan, chicken tenders, and chicken nuggets.
Are chicken nuggets ok for keto?
Traditional chicken nuggets are not suitable for a keto diet. They have a carb heavy breading and most commercial nuggets only have a small amount of chicken in them. Inspired by Chik-fil-A’s nuggets, I’ve made a low carb version that tastes even better!
Why this keto chicken nugget recipe will be a family favorite-
- It can be baked, fried, or made in the air fryer.
- It’s made with just 5 ingredients that you probably have on hand right now.
- You can use chicken breast fillets or canned chicken.
What I love about this recipe is how much they taste like actual chicken nuggets! Pair it with some keto French fries or sweet potato fries your favorite condiments (we love ketchup, dipping sauce, and mayonnaise!) for the ultimate family friendly dinner.
How to make keto chicken nuggets
The Ingredients.
- Chicken breast- skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized portions. They do not need to be in a uniform shape.
- Crushed pork rinds- Also known as keto bread crumbs. If you don’t have any on hand, you can use blanched almond flour, for the crispy batter. Avoid using almond meal, as it can be quite heavy, and stick to the chicken.
- Parmesan cheese– finely grated. It will be mixed with the almond flour to create the crispy batter.
- Salt and Pepper- To taste. Start with a smaller portion of salt, as the celery salt gives extra saltiness.
- Celery Salt- A more robust salt. This is the secret ingredient to make these nuggets taste like those delicious Burger King ones.
- Eggs- To dredge the chicken pieces in, before coating them in the dry breading.
The Instructions.
Start by slicing the chicken breast into bite sized nuggets. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, pepper, and celery salt. In a separate bowl, mix the crushed pork rinds and parmesan cheese.
Next, add the chicken pieces in the egg mixture and mix well until all the chicken is coated. Moving quickly, dip the chicken in the breading mix, ensuring all sides of it are covered.
Now, bake the nuggets for 15-17 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Keto chicken nuggets air fryer
Yes! If you have access to an air fryer, use that instead of the oven. Simply prepare the nuggets as instructed, then add them to a greased air fryer basket. Air fry at 200C/400F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Can I use canned chicken?
While chicken breasts are preferred, you can use canned chicken instead. Be sure to choose ones that have no added sauce or sugar in it.
Tips to make the best recipe
- Do not over-bake the chicken nuggets. The coating/batter will not darken too much, so unlike traditional breaded nuggets, won’t show the nuggets being cooked.
- Be sure that each piece of chicken is completely coated in the egg before adding it to the spice/flour mixture. You don’t want to dry out the chicken by only having spices on it.
- Add extra spices to the batter, if you’d prefer. Cayenne pepper or smoked paprika can give them a lovely flavor punch.
Storing, freezing, and reheating instructions
- To store: Leftover nuggets must be stored in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days. Do not keep any longer, otherwise there is the risk of the chicken going bad.
- 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.
- Reheating: I do not recommend reheating in the microwave, otherwise, you will lose the crispiness. I recommend either re-heating in the oven, air fryer or even in a non-stick pan.
More keto chicken recipes to try
Frequently Asked Questions
Nuggets from all fast-food restaurants, including Chick-Fil-A, is not suitable for a keto diet. They contain tons of net carbs that can kick you out of ketosis.
There are just 1.5 grams of net carbs in a serving of these nuggets.
You can use coconut flour instead of almond flour/keto bread crumbs. However, you’ll need to halve the amount.
Keto Chicken Nuggets (Baked or Air Fryer!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast fillets 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
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website.
My kids loves this recipe…
Great!
I’m on ibs diet at the moment and this souds like a dream come true!
Pinning and hoping you will share your recipe with our Link Up – Idea box:
https://milaslittlethings.com/2015/03/idea-box-thursday-link-party-3.html
xx
Mila
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…