These Keto Chicken Nuggets with canned chicken are easy to make in an air fryer or oven and have a crispy crunch you will love. Loaded with protein, the golden brown low carb nuggets are a great lunch, dinner, or appetizer.
We keep plenty of canned chicken in our pantry because it is a great way to make a healthy meal or appetizer in minutes. This buffalo chicken cauliflower pizza and these buffalo chicken nachos are two of our favorites.
Eating low carb doesn't mean sacrificing your favorite comfort foods. It's all about finding clever ways to recreate those flavors without extra carbs.
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Why You Will Love Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Most chicken nuggets have as many carbs as protein due to fillers. Equally, fast food chicken nuggets are coated in breading and deep-fried in oils making them just as unhealthy.
Cooking this chicken nugget recipe in the air fryer makes them crispy outside and juicy inside. They're also low in net carbs, have a taste you will love, and are easy to prepare.
- No breading or fillers. All you need are four simple ingredients to make low carb nuggets.
- High in protein. Canned chicken recipes are a great way to make a meal loaded with protein.
- Easy to cook. These nuggets can be "fried" in an air fryer or baked in the oven.
- Two thumbs up from everyone. Your entire family will love the crispy crunch of these easy homemade chicken bites.
Key Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make these delicious keto air fryer chicken nuggets.
- Canned Chicken - This pre-cooked white meat is convenient and adds a great texture.
- Cheese - A blend of grated Parmesan and finely shredded Mozzarella makes these nuggets delicious. Use low fat cheese for less fat and calories.
- Egg - This is the perfect way to bind the ingredients together without using bread crumbs or almond flour.
- Olive Oil - A light brushing of olive or avocado oil helps the nuggets turn golden brown in the air fryer.
- Optional Spices - Garlic powder and black pepper can be added for more flavor.
How to Make Keto Chicken Nuggets
This easy canned chicken recipe can be made in minutes. Feel free to add your favorite seasonings to give the nuggets a different flavor each time you make them.
- Drain the canned chicken very well, then shred it finely with a fork.
- Add the egg, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, and spices in a mixing bowl. Mix everything until it forms a wet mixture.
- Using a 1-inch cookie scoop, divide the mixture into 15 even chicken balls. Press each one together firmly and shape it into a nugget shape. Lightly brush olive oil on the top and bottom of the chicken nuggets.
- Place the coated chicken nuggets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap or touch. Air fry for 8-10 minutes to get golden brown and crispy. There is no need to flip them halfway through.
Make it a Full Meal
These protein-loaded nuggets are perfect on their own with a dipping sauce. You can also serve them with a side salad or low carb side dish. Here are a few great options.
- With dipping sauces such as sugar-free BBQ sauce, avocado lime ranch, or buffalo sauce.
- Enjoy low carb protein waffles with sugar-free syrup for a sweet and savory chicken and waffles.
- Serve with a bowl of dill yogurt cucumber salad or tomato cucumber mozzarella salad.
- As a side dish to zucchini Alfredo.
Storage Recommendations
To keep your chicken nuggets fresh, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Thaw and reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.
Simple Tips and Variations
- For best results, thoroughly drain the canned chicken. Squeeze the excess liquid out using your hand or pat it dry with a paper towel.
- Change the texture of the nugget by placing all the ingredients in a food processor and pulsing for 10-20 seconds.
- Decrease the fat content using avocado cooking spray on the nuggets BEFORE placing them in the air fryer.
- Coat the nugget with an egg wash and crushed pork rinds for extra crunch.
- For more flavor, customize the seasonings to your taste. Add cayenne powder or buffalo sauce for heat, Italian seasoning, or a pinch of paprika for smokiness.
- Make chicken tenders by shaping the mixture into larger chicken pieces and adjusting the cooking time for larger pieces.
- When using cooked rotisserie chicken or boneless skinless chicken breasts, use 8 ounces and pulse in a food processor for a fine texture.
FAQs
Absolutely. You can use baked chicken breasts or store-bought rotisserie chicken. Pulse it in a food processor to adjust the texture.
Yes, store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer for a quick snack.
Traditional nuggets are coated in carb-heavy bread crumbs, while keto nuggets use cheese and sometimes crushed pork rinds.
Yes, prepare the chicken nuggets the same way, but place them on a large sheet pan. Bake at 425° for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Nutritional Information
These Keto chicken nuggets are perfect if you are following the keto diet, a low carb diet, Optavia 5&1, or simply tracking your macros. Each serving is loaded with 35 grams of protein and contains less than one carb.
Optavia
- Lean - 1
- Green - 0
- Healthy Fat - 1
Macros
- Protein - 35 grams
- Carbs - 1 net grams
- Fats - 18 grams
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Recipe
Canned Chicken Nuggets
These Keto Chicken Nuggets with canned chicken are easy to make in an air fryer or oven and have a crispy crunch you will love. Loaded with protein, the golden brown low carb nuggets are a great lunch, dinner, or appetizer.
Ingredients
- 1 - 12.5 ounce can chunk chicken breast
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, optional
- ¼ teaspoon pepper, optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Open and drain canned chicken very well. Use a fork to shred it into fine pieces.
- Add the egg, cheese, and spices. Mix together well.
- Use a 1" cookie dough scoop to make 15 balls. Roll and shape each one into a nugget shape.
- Place on a tray and lightly brush both sides with oil. Preheat air fryer to 400°.
- Arrange nuggets on the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. Cook 8-10 minutes.
Notes
- For best results, thoroughly drain the canned chicken. Squeeze the excess liquid out using your hand or pat it dry with a paper towel.
- Change the texture of the nugget by placing all the ingredients in a food processor and pulsing for 10-20 seconds.
- Cut out fat using avocado cooking spray on the nuggets BEFORE placing them in the air fryer.
- Coat the nugget with an egg wash and crushed pork rinds for extra crunch.
- For more flavor, customize the seasonings to your taste. Add cayenne powder or buffalo sauce for heat, Italian seasoning, or a pinch of paprika for smokiness.
- Make chicken tenders by shaping the mixture into larger chicken pieces and adjusting the cooking time for larger pieces.
- When using cooked rotisserie chicken or boneless skinless chicken breasts, use 8 ounces and pulse in a food processor for a fine texture.
Nutrition Information
Yield 2 Serving Size 7.5Amount Per Serving Calories 293Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 10gCholesterol 164mgSodium 403mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 35g
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