Crispy Keto Fried Chicken – 3 Ways

Craving fried chicken on a keto diet? If you are you wondering, can you eat fried chicken on a keto diet? I have good news, this almond flour fried chicken recipe is not only delicious and crispy but also keto-friendly. Plus, it is super easy to make!

With a perfect blend of almond flour, spices, and a simple frying technique, you can enjoy the crispy goodness without compromising your low carb diet.

Can I Use Almond Flour for Deep Frying?

Yes! This is my favorite way to bread chicken for a keto diet. When experimenting with different ways to fry chicken without all-purpose flour, almond flour was the clear winner. It gives the chicken a perfect crisp while still adhering to a keto diet.

Fried Vs Oven Baked?

This keto-fried chicken is deep-fried but you can use a frying pan to make a similar recipe or bake it in the oven if you prefer this method. If you prefer to bake your chicken, Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Place coated chicken on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes. Remove foil, check the internal temperature, and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).

Keep in mind that the cooking time will vary on the size and type of chicken used to make this recipe. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature.

How to Make Keto Pan-Fried Chicken

If you want to fry this keto chicken in a skillet instead of a deep fryer, follow these tips for pan-frying chicken.

Pour enough cooking oil into the skillet to create a depth that covers about halfway up the sides of the chicken pieces. Aim for oils with high smoke points, such as avocado, vegetable, peanut, or grape seed oil.

Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches around 350°F (175°C). To test if the oil is ready, drop a small piece of almond flour into the pan – if it sizzles and browns, you’re good to go.

Place the almond flour-coated chicken pieces into the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd. Fry in batches to maintain an even temperature and achieve uniform crispiness.

After about 5-7 minutes, carefully turn the chicken pieces using tongs. Continue frying for an additional 5-7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the almond flour coating is golden brown.

Once fried to perfection, transfer the chicken to a plate lined with paper towels. This helps absorb any excess oil, ensuring a lighter and more enjoyable eating experience.

What is the Best Oil for Frying Chicken?

When delving into the realm of deep frying chicken, the selection of cooking oil is important. Optimal choices for this culinary endeavor include a variety of oils such as avocado, vegetable, peanut, and grape seed oil.

Recognized for their elevated smoke points, these oils confidently navigate high-heat scenarios, ensuring a desirable crispy texture and enhanced flavor profile for deep-fried chicken.

Conversely, olive oil and coconut oil, possessing more nuanced flavor profiles, are less amenable to elevated temperatures.

So when you are making this keto-friendly fried chicken using almond flour, choosing an oil with a higher smoke point is advised.

How to Make Almond Flour Fried Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into nuggets)
• 1 cup Almond Flour
• 1 Egg
• 2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
• Dash Cajun seasoning
• Dash of Cayenne Pepper
• 3 cups Peanut Oil for frying

Preheat the deep fryer to 400 degrees and then prepare the chicken by cutting chicken breasts into nugget-sized pieces.

Prepare the dry ingredients in a bowl large enough for dredging chicken.

Combine almond flour, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning, and cayenne pepper. Mix until well blended.

Beat an egg in a bowl large enough to fit chicken pieces in, then soak the chicken by adding it to the bowl and leaving for a minute.

This allows the chicken to soak up some of the beaten egg.

Roll chicken in the egg, making sure it is completely covered.

The next step is to coat the Chicken in the almond flour breading mixture. Roll it around and make sure that it is completely covered in the almond flour breading.

Place coated chicken on a plate and let them sit for 5 minutes. You can put them in the refrigerator if you are using this time to prepare sides for the fried chicken.

Do not dispose of the leftover breading until you are ready to fry as you may need to cover some bare spots on the fried chicken before frying.

When the deep fryer is preheated, sprinkle the remaining flour mixture on top to cover any bare spots.

How to Fry Chicken for Keto

Heat peanut oil in the deep fryer to 400 degrees.

Carefully place each coated chicken nugget in the fryer, preventing them from sticking to each other.

Fry for approximately 8 minutes or until golden brown.

Keep in mind that the cooking time will vary based on the thickness of the chicken.

Draining and Serving:

Place the fried chicken nuggets on a paper towel to drain excess grease for about a minute.

Serve hot and enjoy the crispy, flavorful keto-friendly almond flour fried chicken!

Recipe Notes

This almond flour-coated chicken is gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for those with gluten sensitivities or following a gluten-free lifestyle.

Whether it’s adding herbs like thyme and rosemary or a hint of smoked paprika, experimenting with flavors can elevate the dish.

Tips for Extra Crispy Keto Fried Chicken

After the initial coating, dip the chicken back into the almond flour mixture for a second layer of crunch.

If you have more time on your hands or want to prepare in advance, place the coated chicken in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before frying.

This brief chill time allows the almond flour to adhere better to the chicken, resulting in a more substantial and satisfying crunch.

Avoid overcrowding the deep fryer basket. Fry the chicken in batches to maintain an optimal temperature, ensuring each piece of almond flour fried chicken gets the attention it deserves for that perfect golden crust.

Storage Tips

Store any leftover almond flour-coated chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This helps maintain its freshness and prevents the crispy coating from losing its texture.

If you’re stacking multiple pieces, place parchment paper or wax paper between each layer. This prevents them from sticking together and preserves the integrity of the coating.

Moisture is the enemy of crispy chicken. Ensure the chicken is completely cooled before storing it to prevent condensation inside the container.

When reheating fried chicken, follow these tips for best results.

What Cut of Chicken is Best for Frying?

Experimenting with different cuts of chicken not only adds versatility to your almond flour-coated chicken but also allows you to tailor the dish to your preferences.

Whether you prefer the lean simplicity of breasts or the succulent richness of thighs, this recipe welcomes a variety of options to suit your culinary desires.

Drumsticks boast a substantial and satisfying meat-to-bone ratio, making them an excellent canvas for the almond flour treatment. The result is a crispy exterior encapsulating the juicy goodness within.

Reheating drumsticks can be difficult but this post sharing how to reheat chicken drumsticks can help you get that crispy goodness with leftovers.

For those who relish a combination of crispy skin and tender meat, using bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces can be a delightful choice. The almond flour coating creates a golden exterior while keeping the meat moist.

If you want to use bone-in chicken thighs, this low carb chicken recipe is delicious! Opting for chicken thighs adds a richer, juicier element to your almond flour-coated creation. Thighs tend to have more fat, contributing to a succulent and flavorful outcome.

Considerations for Different Cuts of Chicken

Adjust cooking times based on the thickness and type of chicken cut you choose. Thicker cuts may require additional time in the oven to ensure thorough cooking.

Be mindful of bone-in cuts, as they may require slightly longer cooking times compared to boneless varieties. Always cook chicken to a minimal safe internal temperature of 165 degrees.

More Keto Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more delicious keto chicken recipes? Learn how to make a simple keto chicken breast for a salad with this easy recipe. Or make use of your slow cooker and learn how to make this easy slow cooker bbq chicken thighs recipe.

Have more boneless skinless chicken breasts on hand? Make this parmesan-crusted baked chicken breast recipe.

For a quick lunch, these keto chicken wings are perfect.

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make keto fried chicken with this easy-to-follow recipe.

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