Welcome to a culinary delight that proves healthy eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor! Discover our irresistible Keto Low-Carb Bacon Parmesan Crusted Chicken Nuggets, perfectly complemented by a creamy, fresh Avocado Ranch dipping sauce. This recipe isn’t just quick and easy; it’s a game-changer for anyone on a ketogenic journey, offering a family and kid-friendly meal with an astonishingly low carb count of just 3 grams per serving. Whether you prefer them baked to golden perfection or fried for an extra crunch, these nuggets are guaranteed to become a household favorite.
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Why You’ll Love These Keto Chicken Nuggets
In a world where convenience often comes at the cost of health, these homemade Keto Bacon Parmesan Crusted Chicken Nuggets stand out. They offer all the satisfying crunch and flavor of traditional nuggets, but with a significant low-carb, high-fat, and moderate-protein profile that aligns perfectly with the ketogenic diet. This recipe transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal, making it easier than ever to stick to your dietary goals without feeling deprived.
The addition of savory bacon and rich Parmesan cheese creates a crust that’s bursting with flavor and texture. No more bland, boring diet food! Each bite delivers a crispy exterior followed by tender, juicy chicken, making these nuggets incredibly addictive in the best possible way. The accompanying avocado ranch dip adds a layer of creamy indulgence, balancing the richness of the chicken with fresh, zesty notes. It’s a combination that appeals to even the pickiest eaters, ensuring everyone at your table will ask for seconds.
The Power of Bacon and Parmesan
Is there anything bacon doesn’t make better? In this recipe, bacon isn’t just a sidekick; it’s a star player in the crust, bringing an unparalleled depth of flavor and a delightful crispiness that transforms each chicken piece. Finely processed bacon bits mingle with nutty almond flour and sharp Parmesan, forming a coating that’s robust and incredibly satisfying. This combination isn’t just about taste; it significantly boosts the fat content, which is crucial for maintaining ketosis.
Parmesan cheese, with its salty, umami notes, is a natural pairing for chicken and bacon. When baked or fried, it creates a golden, crunchy layer that perfectly encases the tender chicken. For the best results, I highly recommend using a block of high-quality Parmesan and shredding it yourself. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can alter the texture and melt differently, sometimes preventing that perfect crispy crust we’re aiming for. Freshly grated Parmesan integrates more seamlessly into the breading mixture, delivering superior flavor and a more consistent coating.
Embracing the Keto Lifestyle with Delicious Meals
The ketogenic lifestyle has gained immense popularity, and for good reason. It’s not about restriction but about smart, flavorful choices that help your body enter and maintain ketosis – a metabolic state where your body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. This can lead to numerous benefits, including sustainable weight loss, increased energy levels, improved mental clarity, and better blood sugar control.
One of the biggest misconceptions about keto is that it’s difficult or restrictive. On the contrary, with a little creativity in meal planning, a vast array of delicious recipes can be adapted to be keto-friendly. These chicken nuggets are a prime example, demonstrating how familiar comfort foods can be transformed into healthy, low-carb options without sacrificing taste or satisfaction. The key is to focus on whole, unprocessed ingredients and smart substitutions, such as using almond flour instead of traditional breadcrumbs.
The Healthier Homemade Alternative
Many commercially available chicken nuggets today are notoriously unhealthy, often loaded with processed fillers, unhealthy oils, and artificial ingredients. Making your own chicken nuggets at home allows you to take full control over what goes into your food, ensuring a safer, healthier, and ultimately more delicious meal for your family. You choose fresh, high-quality chicken, real cheese, and wholesome almond flour, eliminating any dubious additives.
For those following a ketogenic diet, close attention to macros is essential: high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrates. This chicken nugget recipe is perfectly balanced to meet these requirements. A significant portion of the healthy fats comes from the avocado in the dipping sauce, providing beneficial monounsaturated fats. The bacon and Parmesan cheese in the crust also contribute to the fat content, ensuring you stay within your keto macro goals while enjoying a truly satisfying meal.
Customization and Variations
One of the beauties of home cooking is the flexibility it offers. This recipe is incredibly versatile and can be easily adapted to suit your taste preferences or what you have on hand. For the creamy avocado ranch dipping sauce, if you don’t have sour cream, plain Greek yogurt makes an excellent substitute, offering a similar tang and rich texture with added probiotics. Ensure it’s full-fat for a keto-friendly option.
Don’t stop there with substitutions! While Parmesan adds a distinct flavor, feel free to experiment with other hard cheeses in the crust. Aged cheddar, Pecorino Romano, or even a blend of Italian cheeses could offer exciting new flavor profiles. You can also adjust the seasoning blend to your liking – a pinch of cayenne for heat, smoked paprika for a deeper flavor, or garlic powder for an extra savory kick. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to make this recipe truly your own.
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More Delicious Keto Chicken Recipes
If you’re loving these delectable chicken nuggets, you’ll be thrilled to discover more keto-friendly chicken dishes that are equally flavorful and satisfying. Expand your low-carb repertoire with these fantastic recipes:
- Keto Stuffed Chicken
- Keto Chicken Parmesan
- Keto Maple BBQ Chicken Wings
- Chicken and Avocado Salsa
- Crispy Fried Chicken Salad
Keto Low-Carb Bacon Parmesan Crusted Chicken Nuggets
By Brandi Crawford
These Keto Low-Carb Bacon Parmesan Crusted Chicken Nuggets, served with a delightful Avocado Ranch dipping sauce, are a quick and easy recipe perfect for tenders, strips, or chicken fingers. Fully ketogenic and excellent for ketosis, this dish is family-friendly and kid-approved, boasting only 3 grams of carbs per serving! Enjoy them baked or fried for a crispy, flavorful meal.
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars from 16 votes.
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Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Servings: 5
Calories: 225 kcal
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Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 pound skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 1 ½ inch cubes
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning, more or less to taste if desired
- McCormick’s Grill Mates Chicken Seasoning, to taste
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking oil spray (I use olive oil)
Avocado Ranch Dip
- ½ avocado (depending on the size of your avocado, ¾ of a halved avocado may work best)
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon chives, dried or fresh
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons dill
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
- Add the cooked bacon to a blender or food processor. Blend for 30 seconds until finely crumbled. Add the almond flour and shredded Parmesan cheese to the blender. Blend for another 30-40 seconds to create a fine, uniform crusted topping. Place the crust mixture in a medium-sized bowl.
- Add the Italian Seasoning, chicken seasoning, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the bacon and almond flour mixture. Stir well to combine all the dry ingredients evenly.
- Layer a sheet pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Whisk the egg in a separate shallow bowl.
- Dip each chicken cube into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off. Then, thoroughly coat the chicken in the bacon-Parmesan-almond flour crust mixture. Ensure each piece is fully covered. Place the breaded chicken pieces onto the prepared sheet pan, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Lightly spray the top of the chicken nuggets with cooking oil (such as olive oil spray). This helps achieve a beautiful golden-brown and crispy finish. Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the nuggets are golden brown, cooked through, and deliciously crisp.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Avocado Ranch Dip Instructions
- Combine all of the avocado ranch dip ingredients in a medium bowl. Use a fork or potato masher to thoroughly mash the avocado until smooth. Stir and blend well until all ingredients are fully incorporated and the dip is creamy.
Video
A video demonstration for these Keto Low-Carb Bacon Parmesan Crusted Chicken Nuggets and Avocado Ranch Dip can be found on our YouTube channel.
Notes
- Pro Tip for Coating: For an easy and mess-free coating process, combine the almond flour, Parmesan, and bacon in a large Ziploc bag. Place the egg-coated chicken pieces into the bag, seal it, and shake vigorously until all chicken pieces are fully coated.
- Store-Bought Dip Option: If you’re short on time, you can use a store-bought ranch seasoning packet mixed with sour cream and avocado for the dip. Just be sure to check the carb count if adhering strictly to keto.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 225 kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 13g
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is typically calculated using resources like MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information for any given recipe, you should calculate it with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, utilizing your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful for your dietary needs.
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