I have made more than a few varieties of keto popcorn chicken in my time. A little bit of a grown up version of keto chicken nuggets, keto popcorn chicken is always pretty simple and pretty damn tasty too.
Not only can this recipe be done with chicken (in all forms) it can be done in a host of ways to add to your fast and easy keto meal plans. Read on for more tips and variations.
Dave doesn’t mind a little popcorn chicken from time to time. hehe!
the ingredients
The Protein. I choose to use chicken thigh fillets as it is a little fattier and has more flavour in my opinion. For this recipe you can use breast pieces or actually any pieces of chicken still on the bone. This is equally as tasty as a keto popcorn shrimp (prawn) or keto popcorn pork belly recipe. Then again you could use any firm fish, tofu, seitan, or even pickling onions for something completely different.
The Spices. Here you can add your favourites as I do to mine. I love the spice combination in this recipe and most of them are readily available in either your home keto pantry or the local supermarket.
Whey protein isolate can be substituted with any protein isolates e.g. pea protein isolate for a dairy free keto popcorn chicken option. A protein isolate helps give the fine crispy coating on the chicken.
how to cook keto popcorn chicken
I have included both a frying and air frying method for this low carb popcorn chicken. If you do decide to air fry or bake I would recommend adding half a cup of crushed pork rinds. I tend to find if chicken rests for any time with a whey protein isolate it tends to sweat and become pasty. This results in a soft coating not a crispy one. You can also choose to use pork rinds when frying too. Personally I prefer the fried method as it is quick, light and really tasty.
For the frying I use light tasting olive oil. Although it is not a high smoke point oil it leaves the chicken tasty without an oil taste. Plus the colour of the chicken is perfect.
My best tips are to only dredge as you go and place immediately into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd your pan. Depending on oil and temperature the chicken cooking times can vary. Jucst check a piece after it has gone a nice golden colour to see if it is cooked through. If you have cut all the chicken at the same size then it should take each batch the same amount of time to completely cooked through.
great low carb popcorn chicken sides
Enjoy your keto popcorn chicken with any of our favourite side choices. Apart from a good amount of keto mayonnaise, some Franks Hot Sauce or some of Newcastle Chilli Bros Reaper Sriracha (for the true chilli fans).
- Keto Sweet Chilli Sauce | Sugar Free
- Sugar Free Sweet and Sour Sauce
- Addictive Buffalo Blue Cheese Sauce
- Smokey Keto Barbecue Sauce | Sugar-free
- Smoky Ranch Chicken Salad – Keto | LCHF | Low Carb
CONNECT WITH MAD CREATIONS
Don’t forget to link up with Mad Creations on social media so you never miss a recipe.
Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | 365 |
Love keto cookbooks and meal plans? Check out all our best keto recipes and low carb meal plans in store today!
25 responses to “Keto Popcorn Chicken cooked 2 ways”
-
Love the spices and goes really well with hot sauce.-
It sure does.
-
-
I tried your variation for the Air Fryer. Simply ingenious! So deliciously tasty and super easy to make! Thank you!-
Woohoo! Awesome to hear!
-
-
This chicken is a weekly family favorite. We make it the traditional way and look forward to it each week!-
So good to hear!
-
-
Delicious! Loved the light coating:)-
Yay!
-
-
Delicious! I used chicken thighs. I took Megan’s advice to dredge and cook immediately in small batches so as not to be left with a slurry mess. Worked perfect. Crisp and delicious. Hubby said he loved the spice coating and very happy to have it again.-
Yay! Always a win when you get the votes in.
-
-
This looks amazing and I want to make it tonight but I’m missing the celery and sage spices do you think it will make a huge difference?
So glad i stumbled across your site there are so many exciting things to make.-
Hi Loz, you can add whatever seasoning you love and it will still turn out great.
-
-
Oh my goodness – this recipe is so simple AND delicious. I used whatever oil I had handy, and used a commercial mix of herbs and spices. Was delighted. This recipe is a keeper.-
Woohoo!
-
-
Did anyone else find there wasn’t enough breading to coat it all – or how do I get it evenly spread over the chicken? Thanks
-
Hi Joe, it is meant to be a light coating but I will check when I make them again later in the week.
-
-
This was the best!!! Great tasting popcorn chicken! Thank you! -
A five star dish. So quick and easy and so tasty and crinchy. And no horrible nasties like takeaway. -
Tried this and it was a hit with all of the family. This recipe is a definite keeper. -
Could I use egg white protein powder instead of the whey protein? Need to keep it non dairy.
-
Egg white protein may work but you would have to be quick to fry (and fry only) egg white rehydrate to actual egg white when they come in contact with liquids.
-
-
I have made this recipe several times and love the crispy, tasty chicken but……I find a thick sludge of WPI in the bottom of the pan!
Is this unavoidable or am I doing something wrong?-
Just crumb as you fry and that way you should have no sludgey bits
-
-
This was delicious. Loved the spice mix! Amazing chicken -
I’m pinning and making!Love this recipe.easy and simple .i will definitely try it. One of our families favorite dinners! So easy and it tastes delicious! Thanks for a great recipe!
Leave a Reply