Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Why You’ll Love This Keto Chicken Nuggets Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Keto Chicken Nuggets
  • Storage Instructions
  • What To Serve With Keto Chicken Nuggets
  • More Family-Friendly Keto Chicken Recipes
  • Recommended Tools
  • Keto Chicken Nuggets (5 Ingredients) Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

These easy keto chicken nuggets are a delicious and simple take on a childhood classic, complete with easy seasoning and breading! I’ll show you how to make low carb almond flour chicken nuggets with just 5 ingredients — great for kids and grownups. Serve ’em with keto French fries for a classic meal (and don’t expect leftovers!) . If you want a crispy chicken on the bone, try my keto fried chicken , next!

I created these low carb chicken nuggets after vacationing while I was pregnant. Nuggets were one of the only chicken recipes I could tolerate with morning sickness, despite being highly processed, high in carbs, and hard to find on many restaurant menus. (And I had so much “fun” trying to explain why I need to order off the kids’ menu at many of them.) After returning home, I was so happy to come back to a cleaner version that still tasted delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Keto Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Maya in the kitchen. - 1
  • Whole, juicy hunks of chicken
  • Lightly crisp, golden breading
  • Just 5 basic ingredients
  • Done in under 30 minutes
  • 3g net carbs per serving
  • The best family-friendly appetizer, snack, or main dish!
Maya's signature. - 2 Keto chicken nuggets with one nugget dipped. - 3

For a simple breading, I used Wholesome Yum Almond Flour to make chicken nuggets keto. With a finer grind than most almond flours, it coats the chicken more easily and creates the perfect golden exterior with minimal carbs!

Plate of keto chicken nuggets next to bag of Wholesome Yum Almond Flour. - 4

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for keto chicken nuggets, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – The standard choice in keto recipes for chicken nuggets. You might also be able to use chicken thighs, but cook times may vary.
  • Mayonnaise – We’re using this as a binder instead of egg to help the breading stay on the chicken. Use any keto store-bought mayo you prefer, or make your own avocado oil mayo recipe . You can also just use whisked egg instead, but the mayo makes these extra flavorful.
  • White Vinegar – Adds more authentic flavor to these mcnuggets without breading. Apple cider vinegar would be another close substitute, but you could also sub pickle juice.
  • Wholesome Yum Almond Flour – If you never made keto chicken nuggets with almond flour before, you have to try them with this flour! With a fine grind, it sticks better to the chicken than other popular keto nugget coatings, like parmesan cheese or crushed pork rinds .
  • Salt & Pepper – For simple seasoning.
  • Olive Oil – For shallow frying. You can also use avocado oil, or any neutral oil you prefer.
VARIATION: Want more flavor? - 5

VARIATION: Want more flavor?

These nuggets only have salt and pepper to keep prep super simple, but you can also add seasonings to the meat or mix them into the almond flour. Try onion powder, garlic powder, or paprika!

Chicken nugget ingredients in bowls. - 6

How To Make Keto Chicken Nuggets

This section shows how to make low carb chicken nuggets, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Brine. In a large bowl of water, add a few tablespoons of salt. Place chicken in water and brine for up to 1 hour. Drain and pat try.
TIP: Why brine the chicken? - 7

TIP: Why brine the chicken?

Brining creates a more tender and juicy nugget (I do the same for baked chicken breast ). You can skip this step if you’re short on time.

  1. Cut. Slice the chicken into nugget-sized pieces.
TIP: You can mince the chicken if you like. - 8

TIP: You can mince the chicken if you like.

I prefer the chicken meat as is, but some chicken nugget recipes mince it. If you want to do this, place the chicken in a food processor with a bit of water to mince. Shape into nuggets, then freeze for about 20-30 minutes before proceeding with the recipe.

Chicken in brine. - 9 Chicken cut into bite-sized pieces. - 10
  1. Set up. Stir mayonnaise and vinegar together in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together almond flour and seasonings.
  2. Coat. Dip each chicken piece in a thin layer of the mayonnaise mixture.
Dredging stations for nuggets. - 11 Chicken piece dipped in mayo mixture. - 12
  1. Add breading. Press firmly into the almond flour mixture to coat on both sides.
TIP: Use one hand for the mayo mixture and the other for the breading. - 13

TIP: Use one hand for the mayo mixture and the other for the breading.

Avoid putting the wet hand into the dry mixture too much, which will prevent the breading from clumping.

  1. Cook. You can cook the chicken on the stovetop or in the oven. To fry, heat oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Add keto chicken nuggets in a single layer and fry in batches until golden on both sides. To bake, arrange nuggets in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake until golden, flipping halfway through.
Chicken piece in breading. - 14 Nuggets frying in a pan. - 15 VARIATION: Cook keto chicken nuggets in the air fryer! - 16

VARIATION: Cook keto chicken nuggets in the air fryer!

For best results, arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking spray. Cook for 8 minutes at 400 degrees F, flipping halfway through.

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm up keto nuggets in the oven at 350 degrees F. The air fryer is another great option to crisp them up.
  • Freeze: Add breaded nuggets (cooked works best) to a lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container for long-term storage. No need to thaw before baking, but you may need to add a few minutes to the cook time.
Plate of low carb chicken nuggets with a side of ketchup. - 17

What To Serve With Keto Chicken Nuggets

There are so many ways to dish up these keto chicken nuggets, for kids and grown-ups alike!

  • Sauces – Sugar-free ketchup (shown in the photos!) is a classic choice, but sugar-free honey mustard , ranch dressing , or sugar-free bbq sauce also taste great.
  • Homestyle Veggies – Try these nuggets with cauliflower mac and cheese or keto coleslaw .
  • Potato Swaps – Serve this dish with cauliflower potato salad , jicama fries , or sauteed radishes . If you have family members who aren’t low carb, make easy roasted potatoes for them and a low carb side dish for you.
  • Keto Breads – Try nuggets with almond flour biscuits , keto garlic bread , or a batch of keto cornbread .

More Family-Friendly Keto Chicken Recipes

These chicken dinners are always a winner in my household — and still low in carbs!

Keto chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce. - 18 Keto chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce. - 19

Keto Chicken Tenders

Bacon wrapped chicken tenders on a plate. - 20 Bacon wrapped chicken tenders on a plate. - 21

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders

Chicken bacon ranch casserole in a baking dish with a section removed to show texture. - 22 Chicken bacon ranch casserole in a baking dish with a section removed to show texture. - 23

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Coconut chicken strip dipped in honey mustard. - 24 Coconut chicken strip dipped in honey mustard. - 25

Baked Coconut Chicken Tenders

  • Bowls – You need multiple bowls for this recipe. This set works great!
  • Skillet – Nonstick, dishwasher safe, and easy to clean!
  • Baking Sheets – If you choose to bake keto chicken nuggets instead of fry, these are my favorite pans to use!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 2 medium Boneless skinless chicken breasts ▢
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise ▢
  • 1 tsp White vinegar (or any vinegar of choice – I recommend apple cider vinegar for paleo) ▢
  • 1 cup Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour ▢
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt (plus more for brine in step 1) ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil (or any oil of choice) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

Prep

  1. Fill a large bowl with water and a few tablespoons of sea salt. Place chicken in the salt water and let it brine for at least 10 minutes , up to an hour. Drain and pat dry. Cut the chicken into nugget sized pieces.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and vinegar.
  3. In another bowl, mix the almond flour with a little sea salt and black pepper. (I used 1/2 tsp (2 g) sea salt and 1/4 (1 g) tsp black pepper, but you can adjust as desired.) Feel free to throw any other spices you like in there.
  4. Coat each piece of chicken in a thin layer of the mayonnaise mixture, then press into the almond flour mixture.

Frying instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. (Use a generous amount of oil – at least 2 tablespoons (30 mL) per batch.) Cook the chicken nuggets in a single layer in batches, about 2-3 minutes per batch, on both sides, until golden.

Baking instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange chicken nuggets in a single layer. Bake for 6-8 minutes , until the bottom is golden. Carefully flip, then bake for another 6-8 minutes , until cooked through.

Did You Like It?

Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 6 low carb chicken nuggets

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Keto Chicken Nuggets

Keto chicken nugget recipe pin. - 26

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • The Basic Keto Meal Formula
  • Understanding Macros
  • Keto Food Swaps
  • Keto Food List
  • Electrolyte Basics
  • Keto Diet Types
  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 27

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Pick A ProteinPick A VeggieAdd Fat
Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder VenisonCauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama CeleryButter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Instead Of This…Eat This
PancakesAlmond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes
OatmealKeto oatmeal with hemp seeds
Cinnamon rollsFathead cinnamon rolls
CerealKeto nut granola
MuffinsAlmond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins
DonutsAlmond flour donuts
SconesAlmond flour scones
High-sugar smoothiesSmoothie with berries or avocado
Hash brownsCauliflower hash browns
Breakfast casseroleBreakfast casserole with no potatoes
Egg whitesWhole eggs
Turkey baconBacon
WafflesChaffles
Keto food swaps - breakfast - 28

Keto Swaps For Bread

Instead Of This…Eat This
BagelsFathead bagels
English muffinAlmond flour English muffin
White breadKeto white bread
Multigrain breadCoconut flour bread with seeds
Tortillas for wrapsCoconut flour tortillas
Corn taco shellsCheddar cheese taco shells
Burger bunsOopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps
BreadsticksCauliflower breadsticks
BiscuitsAlmond flour biscuits
CornbreadAlmond flour cornbread
CroutonsParmesan crisps
RiceCauliflower rice , konjac rice
Keto food swaps - bread and grains - 29

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Instead Of This…Eat This
Breaded wingsCrispy air fryer wings (unbreaded)
Low-fat meat & poultryHigh-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat
Mashed potatoesMashed cauliflower
Roasted potatoesRoasted or fried radishes
TacosTaco salad
PizzaFathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza
LasagnaEggplant lasagna
Potato saladCauliflower “potato” salad
French friesJicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries
Tater totsCauliflower tots
WrapsLettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas
SushiNaruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi
Breaded chicken or fishBreaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds
SpaghettiZoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles
Keto food swaps - meals and sides - 30

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Instead Of This…Eat This
NachosCheese crisps
High-sugar fruitBerries & other keto fruits
CrackersAlmond flour crackers
HummusCauliflower hummus
Soft pretzelsFathead pretzels
PopcornPuffed cheese
Granola barsGrain-free granola bars
JamSugar-free berry chia jam
Sweet fruity yogurtFull-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries
Sweet salad dressingRanch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette
KetchupMustard and/or sugar-free ketchup
BBQ sauceSugar-free BBQ sauce
Sweetened peanut butterNatural, sugar-free nut butters
Light mayoAvocado oil mayo
Maple syrupSugar-free, maple flavored syrup
Potato chipsZucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds
Keto food swaps - snacks and sauces - 31

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Instead Of This…Eat This
SugarMonk fruit or allulose
Powdered sugarPowdered monk fruit or allulose
White flourAlmond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes)
Making baked goods soft/chewyXanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder
BreadcrumbsPork rinds or almond flour
MargarineButter, coconut oil, or ghee
Vegetable oilOlive or avocado oil
BananasBanana extract
Chocolate chipsSugar-free chocolate chips
Cornstarch or flour rouxXanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end)
Simple syrupDissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat
Keto food swaps - baking and cooking - 32

Keto Swaps For Drinks

Instead Of This…Eat This
LemonadeWater with lemon
SodaFlavored sparkling water
MilkAlmond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream
LatteButter coffee
Coffee creamerHeavy cream
Sweet wineDry wine
BeerUltra light beer
Mixed drinksHard liquor with soda + lemon

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto food swaps - drinks - 33

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Keto foods to eat and avoid summary - 34

Foods To Eat On Keto

  • Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
  • Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
  • Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
  • Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
  • Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
  • Avocados
  • Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
  • Almond flour and coconut flour
  • Eggs
  • Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

  • White flour & sugar
  • Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
  • Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
  • Cereal
  • Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
  • Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
  • Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
  • Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
  • Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
  • Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 35

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

SodiumMagnesiumPotassium
Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts PicklesSeaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greensPotassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

  • Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
  • Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
  • Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
  • Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 36

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Keto Chicken Nuggets (5 Ingredients)

Keto chicken nuggets with one cut in half. - 37

This crispy, juicy keto chicken nuggets recipe is easy to prepare with just 5 ingredients. You can make them fried or baked!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes/paleo-low-carb-chicken-nuggets-gluten-free/

Keto Chicken Nuggets - 38 Keto Chicken Nuggets - 39 Keto Chicken Nuggets - 40 Keto Chicken Nuggets - 41

Ingredients

  • 2 medium Boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp White vinegar (or any vinegar of choice - I recommend apple cider vinegar for paleo)
  • 1 cup Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt (plus more for brine in step 1)
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil (or any oil of choice)

Instructions

Prep

  1. Fill a large bowl with water and a few tablespoons of sea salt. Place chicken in the salt water and let it brine for at least 10 minutes , up to an hour. Drain and pat dry. Cut the chicken into nugget sized pieces.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and vinegar.
  3. In another bowl, mix the almond flour with a little sea salt and black pepper. (I used 1/2 tsp (2 g) sea salt and 1/4 (1 g) tsp black pepper, but you can adjust as desired.) Feel free to throw any other spices you like in there.
  4. Coat each piece of chicken in a thin layer of the mayonnaise mixture, then press into the almond flour mixture.

Frying instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. (Use a generous amount of oil - at least 2 tablespoons (30 mL) per batch.) Cook the chicken nuggets in a single layer in batches, about 2-3 minutes per batch, on both sides, until golden.

Baking instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange chicken nuggets in a single layer. Bake for 6-8 minutes , until the bottom is golden. Carefully flip, then bake for another 6-8 minutes , until cooked through.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 6 low carb chicken nuggets

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Why You’ll Love This Keto Chicken Nuggets Recipe
  • Ingredients & Substitutions
  • How To Make Keto Chicken Nuggets
  • Storage Instructions
  • What To Serve With Keto Chicken Nuggets
  • More Family-Friendly Keto Chicken Recipes
  • Recommended Tools
  • Keto Chicken Nuggets (5 Ingredients) Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

These easy keto chicken nuggets are a delicious and simple take on a childhood classic, complete with easy seasoning and breading! I’ll show you how to make low carb almond flour chicken nuggets with just 5 ingredients — great for kids and grownups. Serve ’em with keto French fries for a classic meal (and don’t expect leftovers!) . If you want a crispy chicken on the bone, try my keto fried chicken , next!

I created these low carb chicken nuggets after vacationing while I was pregnant. Nuggets were one of the only chicken recipes I could tolerate with morning sickness, despite being highly processed, high in carbs, and hard to find on many restaurant menus. (And I had so much “fun” trying to explain why I need to order off the kids’ menu at many of them.) After returning home, I was so happy to come back to a cleaner version that still tasted delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Keto Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Maya in the kitchen. - 42
  • Whole, juicy hunks of chicken
  • Lightly crisp, golden breading
  • Just 5 basic ingredients
  • Done in under 30 minutes
  • 3g net carbs per serving
  • The best family-friendly appetizer, snack, or main dish!
Maya's signature. - 43 Keto chicken nuggets with one nugget dipped. - 44

For a simple breading, I used Wholesome Yum Almond Flour to make chicken nuggets keto. With a finer grind than most almond flours, it coats the chicken more easily and creates the perfect golden exterior with minimal carbs!

Plate of keto chicken nuggets next to bag of Wholesome Yum Almond Flour. - 45

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for keto chicken nuggets, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – The standard choice in keto recipes for chicken nuggets. You might also be able to use chicken thighs, but cook times may vary.
  • Mayonnaise – We’re using this as a binder instead of egg to help the breading stay on the chicken. Use any keto store-bought mayo you prefer, or make your own avocado oil mayo recipe . You can also just use whisked egg instead, but the mayo makes these extra flavorful.
  • White Vinegar – Adds more authentic flavor to these mcnuggets without breading. Apple cider vinegar would be another close substitute, but you could also sub pickle juice.
  • Wholesome Yum Almond Flour – If you never made keto chicken nuggets with almond flour before, you have to try them with this flour! With a fine grind, it sticks better to the chicken than other popular keto nugget coatings, like parmesan cheese or crushed pork rinds .
  • Salt & Pepper – For simple seasoning.
  • Olive Oil – For shallow frying. You can also use avocado oil, or any neutral oil you prefer.
VARIATION: Want more flavor? - 46

VARIATION: Want more flavor?

These nuggets only have salt and pepper to keep prep super simple, but you can also add seasonings to the meat or mix them into the almond flour. Try onion powder, garlic powder, or paprika!

Chicken nugget ingredients in bowls. - 47

How To Make Keto Chicken Nuggets

This section shows how to make low carb chicken nuggets, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

  1. Brine. In a large bowl of water, add a few tablespoons of salt. Place chicken in water and brine for up to 1 hour. Drain and pat try.
TIP: Why brine the chicken? - 48

TIP: Why brine the chicken?

Brining creates a more tender and juicy nugget (I do the same for baked chicken breast ). You can skip this step if you’re short on time.

  1. Cut. Slice the chicken into nugget-sized pieces.
TIP: You can mince the chicken if you like. - 49

TIP: You can mince the chicken if you like.

I prefer the chicken meat as is, but some chicken nugget recipes mince it. If you want to do this, place the chicken in a food processor with a bit of water to mince. Shape into nuggets, then freeze for about 20-30 minutes before proceeding with the recipe.

Chicken in brine. - 50 Chicken cut into bite-sized pieces. - 51
  1. Set up. Stir mayonnaise and vinegar together in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, mix together almond flour and seasonings.
  2. Coat. Dip each chicken piece in a thin layer of the mayonnaise mixture.
Dredging stations for nuggets. - 52 Chicken piece dipped in mayo mixture. - 53
  1. Add breading. Press firmly into the almond flour mixture to coat on both sides.
TIP: Use one hand for the mayo mixture and the other for the breading. - 54

TIP: Use one hand for the mayo mixture and the other for the breading.

Avoid putting the wet hand into the dry mixture too much, which will prevent the breading from clumping.

  1. Cook. You can cook the chicken on the stovetop or in the oven. To fry, heat oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Add keto chicken nuggets in a single layer and fry in batches until golden on both sides. To bake, arrange nuggets in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake until golden, flipping halfway through.
Chicken piece in breading. - 55 Nuggets frying in a pan. - 56 VARIATION: Cook keto chicken nuggets in the air fryer! - 57

VARIATION: Cook keto chicken nuggets in the air fryer!

For best results, arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray with cooking spray. Cook for 8 minutes at 400 degrees F, flipping halfway through.

Storage Instructions

  • Store: Keep leftovers covered in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm up keto nuggets in the oven at 350 degrees F. The air fryer is another great option to crisp them up.
  • Freeze: Add breaded nuggets (cooked works best) to a lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer-safe container for long-term storage. No need to thaw before baking, but you may need to add a few minutes to the cook time.
Plate of low carb chicken nuggets with a side of ketchup. - 58

What To Serve With Keto Chicken Nuggets

There are so many ways to dish up these keto chicken nuggets, for kids and grown-ups alike!

  • Sauces – Sugar-free ketchup (shown in the photos!) is a classic choice, but sugar-free honey mustard , ranch dressing , or sugar-free bbq sauce also taste great.
  • Homestyle Veggies – Try these nuggets with cauliflower mac and cheese or keto coleslaw .
  • Potato Swaps – Serve this dish with cauliflower potato salad , jicama fries , or sauteed radishes . If you have family members who aren’t low carb, make easy roasted potatoes for them and a low carb side dish for you.
  • Keto Breads – Try nuggets with almond flour biscuits , keto garlic bread , or a batch of keto cornbread .

More Family-Friendly Keto Chicken Recipes

These chicken dinners are always a winner in my household — and still low in carbs!

Keto chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce. - 59 Keto chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce. - 60

Keto Chicken Tenders

Bacon wrapped chicken tenders on a plate. - 61 Bacon wrapped chicken tenders on a plate. - 62

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders

Chicken bacon ranch casserole in a baking dish with a section removed to show texture. - 63 Chicken bacon ranch casserole in a baking dish with a section removed to show texture. - 64

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Coconut chicken strip dipped in honey mustard. - 65 Coconut chicken strip dipped in honey mustard. - 66

Baked Coconut Chicken Tenders

  • Bowls – You need multiple bowls for this recipe. This set works great!
  • Skillet – Nonstick, dishwasher safe, and easy to clean!
  • Baking Sheets – If you choose to bake keto chicken nuggets instead of fry, these are my favorite pans to use!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 2 medium Boneless skinless chicken breasts ▢
  • 1/4 cup Mayonnaise ▢
  • 1 tsp White vinegar (or any vinegar of choice – I recommend apple cider vinegar for paleo) ▢
  • 1 cup Wholesome Yum Blanched Almond Flour ▢
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt (plus more for brine in step 1) ▢
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
  • 2 tbsp Olive oil (or any oil of choice) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

Prep

  1. Fill a large bowl with water and a few tablespoons of sea salt. Place chicken in the salt water and let it brine for at least 10 minutes , up to an hour. Drain and pat dry. Cut the chicken into nugget sized pieces.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and vinegar.
  3. In another bowl, mix the almond flour with a little sea salt and black pepper. (I used 1/2 tsp (2 g) sea salt and 1/4 (1 g) tsp black pepper, but you can adjust as desired.) Feel free to throw any other spices you like in there.
  4. Coat each piece of chicken in a thin layer of the mayonnaise mixture, then press into the almond flour mixture.

Frying instructions

  1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. (Use a generous amount of oil – at least 2 tablespoons (30 mL) per batch.) Cook the chicken nuggets in a single layer in batches, about 2-3 minutes per batch, on both sides, until golden.

Baking instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange chicken nuggets in a single layer. Bake for 6-8 minutes , until the bottom is golden. Carefully flip, then bake for another 6-8 minutes , until cooked through.

Did You Like It?

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Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 6 low carb chicken nuggets

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

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Keto Chicken Nuggets

Keto chicken nugget recipe pin. - 67