Keto Chicken Nuggets Recipe (Air fryer or oven!)- The Big Man’s World ®

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

• 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

• 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.

To make this in the air fryer, add them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 200C/400F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. 
One serving is 5-6 nuggets.
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. 
TO REHEAT: 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. 

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 6g | Sodium: 1390mg | Potassium: 461mg | Fiber: 1g | Vitamin A: 200IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1mg | NET CARBS: 1g