These keto chicken nuggets are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and made with a simple pork rind coating instead of breadcrumbs. They're low carb, high protein, easy to make in the air fryer or oven, and taste just like the chicken nuggets your family already loves.
Why You'll Love These Keto Chicken Nuggets
These keto chicken nuggets are one of my favorite ways to turn simple chicken breast into a meal the whole family will actually get excited about. Instead of using breadcrumbs, the chicken is coated in seasoned crushed pork rinds, which creates an incredibly crispy crust while keeping these nuggets low carb and gluten free.
They're easy to make in either the air fryer or oven, so you can use whichever method works best for you. The air fryer gives them an extra crispy texture, but the oven baked version is just as delicious and perfect for feeding a crowd.
If you're looking for a high protein lunch, quick dinner, or family-friendly meal that doesn't feel like "diet food," these homemade chicken nuggets are the answer. They're juicy on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and perfect for dipping in your favorite sauces, such as my greek yogurt ranch dip.
Whether you call them keto chicken nuggets, low carb chicken nuggets, or pork rind chicken nuggets, they're an easy recipe you'll want to make again and again.
What These Keto Chicken Nuggets Taste Like
These keto chicken nuggets have a crispy, crunchy coating on the outside and juicy, tender chicken on the inside. The seasoned pork rind breading adds a savory flavor with hints of garlic, onion, and smoky paprika, making them taste much more flavorful than store-bought nuggets.
The texture is what really makes these stand out. The coating gets golden brown and crunchy, especially when cooked as air fryer chicken nuggets, while the chicken stays moist and juicy. They're the kind of homemade chicken nuggets that both kids and adults reach for again and again.
Even if you're not following a keto or low carb lifestyle, these high protein chicken nuggets taste like classic chicken nuggets with an extra crispy crust and more flavor in every bite.
Ingredients You'll Need
Chicken Breasts
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are my favorite for making homemade chicken nuggets because they're lean, easy to cut into bite-sized pieces, and cook quickly. You can also use boneless chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat.
Crushed Pork Rinds
This is the secret to making crispy keto chicken nuggets without breadcrumbs. The crushed pork rinds create a crunchy coating that gets beautifully golden brown while keeping the nuggets low carb and gluten free.
Eggs
The eggs help the pork rind coating stick to the chicken. If you need an egg-free option, heavy cream works surprisingly well.
Smoked Paprika
Adds a subtle smoky flavor and helps give the coating a golden color.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder
These pantry staples add savory flavor to the breading and make the nuggets taste more like classic restaurant-style chicken nuggets.
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper
Simple seasonings that bring all of the flavors together. If your pork rinds are already heavily salted, you may want to reduce the added salt.
How To Make Keto Chicken Nuggets
Step 1
Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch bite-sized pieces. Try to keep the pieces roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
Step 2
In a shallow bowl, combine the crushed pork rinds, salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs or pour in the heavy cream if using the egg-free option.
Step 3
Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then coat thoroughly in the seasoned pork rind mixture. Press the coating onto the chicken so it sticks well, then set the breaded nuggets aside while you finish the remaining pieces.
Step 4
Arrange the breaded chicken nuggets in a single layer in your air fryer basket or on a baking sheet. Air fry at 400F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or bake at 425F for 10 to 15 minutes until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Keto Chicken Nuggets
The air fryer is my favorite way to make these keto chicken nuggets because it creates the crispiest coating while keeping the chicken juicy and tender. The hot circulating air helps the pork rind breading become golden brown and crunchy without the need for deep frying.
To make air fryer chicken nuggets, arrange the breaded chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each piece for proper airflow. Air fry at 400F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. The nuggets are done when the coating is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165F.
Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the nuggets in batches. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can prevent the coating from crisping properly.
These low carb chicken nuggets are best served immediately while the coating is at its crispiest. Pair them with sugar-free ketchup, ranch dressing, or your favorite dipping sauce for an easy high protein meal the whole family will love.
Oven Baked Keto Chicken Nuggets
If you don't have an air fryer, these oven baked chicken nuggets turn out delicious as well. The pork rind coating gets crispy and golden brown while the chicken stays tender and juicy on the inside.
To bake the nuggets, arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet. For the crispiest results, place them on a wire rack set inside the baking sheet. This allows the hot air to circulate around the nuggets and helps the coating crisp evenly on all sides.
Bake at 425F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the coating is golden brown and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F. Larger pieces may need a few extra minutes.
These homemade chicken nuggets are a great option for feeding a family because you can cook a large batch at once. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces and a simple vegetable side for an easy low carb dinner everyone will enjoy.
Why Pork Rinds Make The Best Keto Breading
When it comes to making crispy keto chicken nuggets, pork rinds are hard to beat. Traditional chicken nuggets rely on breadcrumbs or flour-based coatings, but pork rinds create a crunchy crust without adding unnecessary carbs.
Once crushed and seasoned, pork rinds mimic the texture of breadcrumbs surprisingly well. They become golden brown and crispy during cooking while helping seal moisture into the chicken. The result is juicy chicken on the inside with a crispy coating on the outside.
Pork rinds are also naturally low carb, gluten free, and high in protein, making them a perfect choice for keto and low carb recipes. Unlike almond flour coatings, which can sometimes turn soft or grainy, pork rind breading stays crunchy and gives these homemade chicken nuggets a texture that's much closer to traditional chicken nuggets.
If you've never made pork rind chicken nuggets before, don't worry. The pork rind flavor is very mild once combined with the seasonings, and most people would never guess they're coated with pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs.
Tips For Extra Crispy Chicken Nuggets
- Use finely crushed pork rinds. Large pieces can make the coating uneven and prevent it from sticking properly. I like to pulse them in a food processor until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs.
- Pat the chicken dry before coating. Removing excess moisture helps the egg and pork rind mixture adhere better and creates a crispier crust.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. The hot air needs room to circulate around the nuggets. Cook in batches if needed for the crispiest air fryer chicken nuggets.
- Use a wire rack when baking. Elevating the nuggets allows heat to circulate underneath, helping them crisp on all sides instead of steaming on the bottom.
- Cut the chicken into similar-sized pieces. This helps the nuggets cook evenly so you don't end up with some pieces overcooked while others are undercooked.
- Flip halfway through cooking. Whether you're making air fryer chicken nuggets or oven baked chicken nuggets, flipping helps both sides become golden brown and crispy.
- Serve immediately. Like most homemade chicken nuggets, these are at their crispiest right after cooking. While leftovers reheat well, nothing beats them fresh from the oven or air fryer.
Dipping Sauces For Keto Chicken Nuggets
Dipping Sauces for Keto Chicken Nuggets
One of the best things about these keto chicken nuggets is that they're perfect for dipping. Whether you're serving them as a quick lunch, easy dinner, or party appetizer, a good sauce takes them to the next level.
My favorite option is sugar-free ketchup because it tastes just like the classic pairing most of us grew up with. Ranch dressing is another family favorite and works especially well with the smoky seasoning in the pork rind coating.
Other delicious dipping sauce options include:
- Sugar-free BBQ sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Honey mustard made with a keto-friendly sweetener
- Buffalo sauce
- Blue cheese dressing
- Garlic aioli
- Chipotle mayo
- Sugar-free sweet and sour sauce
If you're serving these homemade chicken nuggets to kids, setting out a few different dipping sauces makes dinner a little more fun and lets everyone customize their plate.
What To Serve With Keto Chicken Nuggets
These keto chicken nuggets are a family-friendly meal that can be served in lots of different ways. For a lower carb meal, pair them with a vegetable side and your favorite dipping sauce. If you're feeding a family, it's easy to add a starch for those who want one without making a separate dinner.
My favorite side dishes include:
- Roasted Broccoli
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Fried Cabbage with Bacon
- A simple side salad
- Cauliflower mac and cheese
For kids or family members who aren't eating low carb, serve the nuggets with french fries, tater tots, fruit, or mac and cheese alongside a vegetable.
Storage And Reheating
Store leftover keto chicken nuggets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Once cooled, transfer them to a container lined with a paper towel to help absorb excess moisture and keep the coating from becoming soggy.
For longer storage, freeze the cooked nuggets on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To reheat, the air fryer works best. Air fry at 375F for 3 to 5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy again. This helps restore the crunchy pork rind coating much better than a microwave.
You can also reheat the nuggets in a 400F oven for 5 to 8 minutes. While the microwave works in a pinch, the coating will be softer and won't have the same crispy texture as freshly cooked chicken nuggets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work great in this recipe and tend to stay extra juicy. They may need an extra minute or two of cooking time depending on their size.
Pork rinds give these nuggets their signature crispy texture, but you can substitute finely grated parmesan cheese or a mixture of parmesan and almond flour if needed. The texture will be slightly different.
Yes. If you want to make ground chicken nuggets with pork rinds, mix the ground chicken with seasonings, form into nugget shapes, then coat with the pork rind mixture before cooking. The texture will be more similar to fast food chicken nuggets than nuggets made with chunks of chicken breast.
Absolutely. Let the nuggets cool completely, then freeze them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the air fryer or oven for the best texture.
The safest way is to use an instant-read thermometer. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165F and the coating should be golden brown and crispy.
Recipe Card
Keto Chicken Nuggets (Air Fryer or Oven Baked)
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Crushed pork rinds
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt use less if your pork rinds are salted
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- black pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs beaten (see notes)
- 1 pound Chicken Breasts cut into 1 inch chunks
Method
- Pour crushed pork rinds in a shallow bowl and add the seasonings. Mix well. In a separate shallow bowl, add the beaten eggs. Add the chicken pieces to the egg mixture and stir to coat.
- In batches dip the chicken breast pieces into the the pork rinds. Toss to coat. Set aside on a plate.
- Place the chicken nuggets in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry at 400F for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in 2 batches.
- Preheat the oven to 425F. Bake the nuggets on a baking sheet (use a wire rack for best results). Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Katherine Howerton says
Can this recipe be air fried?
Jennifer Banz says
Definitely! I would start with 8 minutes at 400F
Jenny says
This. Tastes. Amaaaazing!!! ???????????? We loved this recipe so much. However, one thing I didn’t like too much was the texture. (Not your “fault” at all!) Instead of avocado oil, I used unrefined coconut oil. I usually bake with that with no issue, but I’m wondering if the use of it lent itself to a rubbery texture of the chicken. Was it too overdone? Can anyone maybe shed some light on this? My family—my picky kids!!—LOVED the taste of it, but they were turned off by the rubbery texture.
Virginia says
Chicken nuggets, easy tasted really good ????
Susan says
Tried this tonight, it was fabulous. I’m on Keto and could never get chicken nuggets or fingers to work. I used my air fryer and they were so crispy. Next time I might kick up the heat and spices in the pork rinds. Thanks so much!
Jessica Lee Averre says
Can I cook these in a deep fryer?
Jamie says
I do mine really, really similar to this. I use powdered parm + zero carb ranch seasoning+other seasonings for the 'flour' layer, then roll through an egg wash, then through crushed pork rind crumbs and then -back- through the 'flour' (no egg between crumbs and 'flour' though) and it makes it super crispy. We also like to use this for cheese sticks and pork chops.
Amy says
These are a good alternative to regular nuggets. The thing that is SO annoying about recipes like this that the portions are off. I only used 13 oz of chicken and still had to stop and make more of the seasoning. I would definitely make double.
If you make them in the oven, stop three-ish minutes short of 15 and broil them. They won’t be crispy is you don’t. I will make these again.
JEFF SONDROL says
Thanks for this recipe!!!
I was so excited to try this recipe. I tweaked it a little and it turned out Awesome!!! I only had chicken tenderloins & BBQ flavor pork rinds so omitted the additional spices. I added pinch of Cayenne pepper for heat of course. I also swapped the egg dredge with 1/4 C. Heavy Cream and 1 ts. White Distilled Vinegar. Coated like old school shake & bake plastic bag. Ninja Foodi at 490° air fry mode for 7 minutes turn over to other side for an additional 4 minutes. Phenomenal!!!
S says
How much is 1 serving. The recipe says serves 4
jenniferbanz says
1/4th of the recipe. It would depend on how many chicken nuggets you actually make.
Linda Chartrand says
Can you make these in the air fryer?
jenniferbanz says
Yep!
Judith A Lehman says
Best breading ever. Made breaded pork tenderloin. An Indiana fast food favorite. Tweaked with parmesan in crumbs. Was just like the good old days. Thank you.
Debra L Steele says
I plan on trying the nuggets after my next shopping trip. I will be subbing the eggs with buttermilk. I have a nasty egg allergy.
Karly says
These look amazing! My husband thanks you!!
Destiny says
I made them in the air fryer on 350° for 12 minutes flipping halfway through. They were amazing. No need to freeze!
jenniferbanz says
Good to know, thank you!
Tracey L Johnson says
I'm glad to know about the air fryer! I just finished dinner, where my husband and I went crazy over the fried nuggets. They are so tender and juicy and crunchy. Thank you, Jennifer.
Lisa Cox says
I air fried these and they were delicious. Next time I will use the buffalo flavored pork rinds.
Beth says
Have you ever used the air fryer to cook them and I’m looking to free e some, would I freeze before or after cooking? Thanks
jenniferbanz says
I bet they would be great in the air fryer! I am not sure about the freezing so I think I need to experiment and add that to the recipe.
Destiny says
I made them in the air fryer on 350° for 12 minutes flipping halfway through. They were amazing. No need to freeze!
Brenda says
The nuggets are amazing! Is there any way I could get the nutrition facts? That would be wonderful if you could do that for me. Thank you.
Gina Sheridan says
How long and what temperature would you use to bake them
jenniferbanz says
We did 375F for 15 minutes
Vanessa says
Oh my gosh! I’ve been craving fried chicken like a madwoman since I started keto but your recipe righted me! I was astonished at how well the batter stuck together and stayed nice and crispy, like an airy panko. I seasoned the chicken like you mentioned and used plenty of thyme and rosemary and... thank you so much!! New go to!
Hayley says
I made these last week for my little guy that has Type 1 Diabetes. Originally I was going to do tenders but I saw your recipe and thought nuggets would be a good idea. He loved them and so did I! I couldn't stop eating them! Thankfully I made a big enough batch for leftovers and froze those for easy and fast dinners in the future. I was surprised the pork rind flavor disappeared when baking. Will definitely make these again!
jenniferbanz says
So glad you liked them!
Pam says
I would love to freeze these. Do you do it before or after baking? Do they heat up crispy after freezing?
jenniferbanz says
You could freeze them before or after cooking. I think freezing before cooking, then letting them thaw and continue cooking as the directions state, would yield crispy results.