Healthy Keto Chicken Nuggets Recipe - Baked or Fried

These keto chicken nuggets are easy to make and incredibly addictive—it's hard to believe they aren't loaded with carbs!

Keto chicken nuggets are great for any occasion. They contain only a handful of ingredients and are ready to serve in just 20 minutes!

You can have these low-carb chicken nuggets on their own, put them in a lettuce wrap, or add them to your favorite salad for a delicious boost of protein.

For an extra blast of flavor, season them with fresh garlic and parmesan or dip them in spicy buffalo sauce—the opportunities are endless!

Can I eat chicken nuggets on keto?

It can be a challenge to find keto-friendly chicken nuggets at restaurants and drive-thrus. Most low-carb chicken nuggets are breaded with high-carb ingredients, including flour, bread crumbs, and panko.

Unhealthy oils are also a major problem when it comes to having healthy chicken nuggets. Many oils are derived from GMO foods that can reduce the results you see on the Healthy Keto™ diet. However, this chicken nugget recipe gives you a delicious alternative. It contains only 100% keto-friendly ingredients that you can find at any supermarket.

There are other chicken-based recipes that will keep you in ketosis and are an excellent source of protein keto herbed chicken salad is a fan favorite. If you have a big appetite and are looking for something to feed the whole family but want to stay with the chicken theme our irresistible baked chicken is an excellent choice and it's healthy keto approved!

What breading to use for keto chicken nuggets

The purpose of breading is to add texture and flavor—it helps salt, pepper, and other spices to cling to each nugget and enhance the taste. It also insulates the chicken from direct heat, helping it cook evenly and reducing water evaporation. In turn, you get a more flavorful and juicy piece of chicken.

Thankfully, you don't need high-carb breading to achieve these results. Nut flour is an excellent alternative that helps the chicken maintain its flavor and juiciness without loading your body with carbs. This recipe calls for almond flour, which is one of our favorite low-carb ingredients to use. The crispy texture it gives will be sure to satisfy your cravings.

How to make keto chicken nuggets in an air fryer

Making keto chicken nuggets in the air fryer gives them an extra crispy and "fried" taste without making them overly greasy. You can follow the same recipe down below but place them in an air fryer at 400 degrees F until golden brown. Placing foil underneath the chicken can help avoid a messy air fryer.

How long do you cook keto chicken nuggets?

Our keto chicken nuggets recipe is quick and easy to make because it calls for pre-cooked, canned chicken. The nuggets take just 10 to 12 minutes to cook in the oven, and frying them in oil or an air fryer is even faster. You don't have to worry as much about the center of these chicken nuggets since the meat is already cooked, so you can use the crispiness of the outside as your guide.

Storing your keto chicken nuggets

Although these chicken bites are handmade, they can also be stored and reheated exactly like frozen versions! So if your refrigerator is full you could put it inside an insulated bag to freeze. To freeze for longer storage, I recommend placing them on a covered tray inside the freezer until fully frozen. Then, transfer them into a freezer bag or airtight container for storage in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat the premade frozen nuggets, bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes.