Crispy Keto Fried Chicken Bites

Want a recipe for fried chicken? We got ya covered! Knew we had you at fried chicken! The thing is this is perfectly keto-friendly because we skip all the coating options! Instead of pork skins, whey protein, or parmesan cheese, although they are low carb and keto-friendly options. However, we leave them all out and go bare! Naked Keto Fried Chicken is the way to go!

Light, golden, crunchy, and perfectly dippable for your favorite sugar-free sauce!

Is Fried Chicken Keto?

This one is! We skip the breading, but they are absolutely crispy and delicious!

What You’ll Need

All you’ll need are 3 ingredients to make this happen! Chicken thighs, neutral oil like avocado oil, and salt! Of course, you can add extras like garlic powder, onion powder, and many other seasonings but this recipe is the bare-bones basic option. This will allow you to eat them plain, toss in sauces, or flavor with other spice blends. 

• • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 3 depending on size)
    
  • Avocado Oil (any neutral oil)
  • Salt

Tools You’ll Need

• • Pot or Frying Pan
  • Spider or tongs

Let’s Talk About Chicken

For this recipe, it’s all about the chicken thigh! I would not suggest chicken breast as they are more prone to dry out and that is not a good look or taste! One pound of boneless skinless chicken thighs to be exact. This can vary based on the size that you purchase, but on average that equals out to roughly 3 thighs just over 5 oz each. Trim off the excess clumps of fat but don’t be afraid to keep some in place. A lil’ bit of fat ain’t gone hurt no keto body!

 

A lil’ bit of fat ain’t gone hurt no keto body!

How to Make Keto Fried Chicken Bites

The Double Fry

First, we are going to use the technique of double frying as you would with things like french fries (unfortunately not keto-friendly, for my new keto friends if you’re wondering) or even Korean fried chicken. The reason for this is to remove moisture on the first fry and crisp up the exterior on the second fry.

In our test, we found that cooking the chicken straight through created a tough and dry exterior. This is why we chose to do the double fry method. For the first fry, cook the chicken all the way through for the second fry go for the browning and light golden crunch.

• • Prep chicken thighs. Clean your chicken. De-bone if you use bone-in, skin-on, and remove the skin.
  • Cut thigh meat into bite-size pieces
  • Season with salt. Ideally, allow them to sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours but overnight is best if you have the time. This allows the salt to get in there and flavor the meat.
  • Double fry the chicken

Keto Fried Chicken Bites

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• Author: Bridgette Williams
• Total Time: 25
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Light, golden, crispy bites of delicious fried chicken.

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

1 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

1 tsp Sea Salt

2 cups Avocado Oil (any neutral oil)

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Instructions

1. Clean your chicken. Debone if you use bone-in, skin-on, and remove the skin. Cut thigh meat into bite-size pieces.
2. Season with salt. Ideally, allow them to sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours but overnight is best if you have the time. This allows the salt to get in there and flavor the meat. However, in a pinch 20 minutes will do.
3. Double fry the chicken. Heat oil to 250 degrees.
4. (1st Fry) cook for 5-7 minutes until cooked through, but pale in color. Remove and place on plate with paper towel or cooking rack on sheet pan to rest. Work in batches so that you don’t over crowd the pan.
5. (2nd Fry) Increase oil to 350 degrees. Add bites back into oil. Cook for 1 minute just to get some crisp and color.

Notes

If you want to add an additional dry seasonings like ones shared under Tips, toss as soon as bites come out of the grease so that it can stick to them well.

Marinate your chicken overnight (best), 2 hours (good), or at least 20 minutes to give the salt a chance to penetrate and flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• 2 hours: Marinate
• Cook Time: 15 minutes

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 213
• Fat: 13 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 NC
• Protein: 25

Keywords: keto, chicken, fried chicken

Tips For Keto Fried Chicken Bites

• • Buy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, and debone with kitchen shears. Save the bone in a freezer bag for bone broth later then fry the chicken skins as a snack. That way you get 3 uses from one purchase! 
  • No time to de-bone yourself? Buy boneless skinless thighs.
  • Marinate. Allow that seasoning to soak into the chicken. Bland chicken is not where it’s at!
  • We prefer to use a smaller pot and work in batches. This also allows the oil to fully cover the chicken when frying, using less oil than a wide large pot. However, you can use a skillet or large pot if cooking more than the listed servings.
  • Move them around in the oil to prevent sticking to the bottom, however don’t be alarmed if there’s some sticking, that’s just how it goes.

Keto Fried Chicken Bite Storage 

You can store these if necessary but they are best enjoyed fresh! If you choose to store them, use an airtight container and reheat in an air fryer or convection oven on lower heat to slowly heat through and lightly crisp for best results.

Variations

• • When fresh out of the grease sprinkle Chinese 5 Spice Powder, Garam Masala, or Butter with Lemon Pepper Seasoning.
  • Use any of your favorite sugar-free sauce options.

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