Craving crispy fried chicken on a keto diet? You’re in luck. This keto fried chicken recipe delivers everything you love about the classic dish – crunchy coating, juicy meat, and bold flavor – without the carbs. It’s a game-changer for anyone following a low-carb lifestyle who doesn’t want to give up comfort food.
The secret to this keto-friendly version lies in the coating. Instead of traditional flour or breadcrumbs, we use a blend of almond flour, grated parmesan cheese, and a mix of herbs and spices. The result is a crispy, golden crust that holds up beautifully to frying and adds a nutty, savory depth of flavor.
Start by marinating your chicken pieces – thighs, drumsticks, or breasts – in a mixture of buttermilk (or a low-carb alternative like unsweetened almond milk with a splash of vinegar) and your favorite seasonings. Letting the chicken soak for a few hours or overnight helps tenderize the meat and ensures it stays moist when cooked.
When it’s time to fry, dredge each piece in the almond flour coating and gently lower it into hot oil. Avocado oil or coconut oil are ideal for keto diets and have high smoke points. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, then let the pieces rest on a wire rack to keep them crispy.
This keto fried chicken is everything you want it to be – crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor. Serve it with a side of cauliflower mash, zucchini fries, or a fresh cabbage slaw for a full low-carb meal.
Whether you’re planning a family dinner, a weekend treat, or meal prepping for the week, this keto fried chicken is a satisfying option that doesn’t compromise on taste. Once you try it, you won’t miss the original – and your taste buds (and macros) will thank you.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken drumsticks
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs large,
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together the almond flour, grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs.
- Dip each chicken drumstick into the beaten eggs, then roll it in the almond flour mixture, coating it well. Set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Place the coated chicken drumsticks in the skillet, cooking them for about 5 minutes on each side, or until browned and crispy.
- Transfer the chicken to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake in the preheated oven for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and crispy.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
I don’t like the taste of almond flour, couldn’t eat it. Better off with regular flour.
Fried chicken is just the best! Even keto can’t change that. 😋
Too much almond flour taste for my liking, I prefer regular flour. But my keto friends loved it!
Sounds good but almond flour isn’t the same as regular flour. I dunno if I can trust this recipe.
I’m not usually into keto stuff, but this came out so crispy. The almond flour + parm combo is legit. I did bake closer to 20 min and it was perfect.
Right?! I’m not keto either, but almond flour + parm really does make it crackly. I’ve also found 20 minutes is the sweet spot—15 felt a bit under for my oven.
Way too much almond flour for my taste, I prefer more spice!
The chicken was too dry for my taste. I think it needs more oil or marinade.
Turned out super crispy and actually stayed crunchy even after cooling a bit. Keto-friendly and way easier than I expected—would make again.
That’s awesome to hear! The crisp staying crunchy after cooling is exactly what I look for—keto chicken can get soggy fast. I’m definitely trying this method again.
I tried it but my chicken turned out soggy. Maybe I did something wrong.
My coating kept falling off when I moved the drumsticks. I think I didn’t dry the chicken enough before egging it. Next time I’ll pat it dry—still tasty!
This is the best keto recipe I’ve tried! I’m on keto for a month now and this made things easier.
I don’t know, looks a bit complicated for fried chicken. Can’t we just fry it in oil? Why all the baking?
I tried this recipe too and it was AMAZING! My family loved it, and I’m sticking to keto for sure!
Keto or not, this chicken is lit!!! Can’t believe how kinda healthy it is. My kids devoured it in minutes!
This keto fried chicken is amazing! So crispy and flavorful. Definitely a keeper!
Wow, this recipe is a keeper, my kids loved it! Thanks for sharing! 😋
Why do you need to bake it after frying? Seems like a waste of time to me… Just fry it longer!
Baking after frying helps keep the chicken moist inside while making it extra crispy outside. Trust me, it’s worth the extra time!
Pretty good! Seasoning tasted great, but mine wasn’t as crispy as I wanted—maybe my oil heat was off. Still delicious and juicy though.
INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THE RECIPE BOX
Simple and delicious! My family loved it. I’ll make it again for sure!
Meh. Didn’t impress me at all. I guess I’m not a fan of almond flour. 🤷♂️
Is it ok to use chicken breasts instead of drumsticks? Asking for a friend…
I followed the instructions, but mine came out soggy? What went wrong?
I added some cayenne for more heat, and wow, what a kick! My husband loved it!
Cayenne is a great idea! I’ll have to try that next time! Glad you both liked it!
Keto? More like ‘no thanks’. Fried chicken shouldn’t be healthy. What’s the point?
Only 1/4 cup parm?? I had to use more or it felt bland. Maybe that’s just me. Would definitely make again but I’d bump the seasoning.
Just ok. I expected it to be crunchier. Maybe I didn’t fry it right. 🤷
Keto fried chicken… in the oven. Not gonna lie, I was skeptical. But the result honestly surprised me—crunch held up better than I expected.
Keto? More like a no-go for me! I don’t understand why anyone would skip carbs. 😒
Keto recipes are always a hit, but this one is just chicken. What’s so special about it?
This is a game changer! I never thought keto could taste this good. My family devoured it.
Easy peasy! I’m not great at cooking, but even I managed to pull this off!