53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (2024)

Table of Contents
Minimal carbs, maximum protein (and flavor) 1. French Onion Sheet Pan Chicken 2. Ina Garten’s Creamy Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Thyme 3. Miso-Honey Broiled Chicken 4. Creamy Tuscan Chicken 5. Goat Cheese and Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms 6. Buffalo Chicken Soup 7. Keto Chicken Enchilada Bowl 8. Keto Sheet Pan Chicken and Rainbow Veggies 9. Chicken Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice 10. Keto White Chicken Chili 11. Slow Cooker Chicken Chile Verde 12. Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers 13. Low-Carb Chicken Fajita Salad 14. 30-Minute Caprese Chicken 15. Keto Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs 16. Whole Crockpot Chicken 17. One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Carrots 18. Chicken Stir Fy 19. Thai Lettuce Wraps 20. Foolproof Cheater’s Confit 21. Lemon and Herb Roast Chicken 22. White Wine Coq au Vin 23. Keto Chicken Tenders 24. Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken 25. Avocado Chicken Salad 26. Crispy Grilled Chicken 27. Chicken, Avocado and Goat Cheese Salad 28. Keto Chicken Parmesan 29. One-Pan Pizza Chicken 30. Everything Bagel Chicken 31. Coconut Chicken Curry 32. Shrimp and Chicken Sausage Vegetable Skillet 33. Healthy Chicken Alfredo 34. Baked Chicken Nuggets 35. Basil Pesto Chicken 36. Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole 37. Keto Pasta with Chicken 38. Indian Butter Chicken 39. Chicken Cauliflower Casserole 40. Butter Chicken 41. Everything Chicken Wings 42. Bruschetta Chicken 43. Spicy Hummus Chicken Salad 44. Family-Style Chicken Caesar Salad 45. Chicken and Snap Pea Stir Fry 46. Low-Carb Chicken Divan 47. Chicken Thighs with Pancetta and Green Olives 48. Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma with Lemon-Tahini Drizzle 49. Hot Honey Chicken Thighs 50. Honey-Mustard Grilled Chicken with Foil Packet Green Beans 51. Garlic-Confit Chicken with Lemon and Thyme 52. Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings 53. Piri Piri Chicken Food Editor Food Editor FAQs References

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Minimal carbs, maximum protein (and flavor)

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (1)

By Heath Goldman

Published Oct 6, 2023

Additional reporting by

Taryn Pire

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (2)

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

You decided to give the ketogenic diet—the buzzy, high-fat, moderate-protein, low-carb meal plan—a whirl, but you slid into a dinner rut fast. (Douse some chicken and veggies in olive oil, roast and repeat—yawn.) Don’t get discouraged just yet: There are plenty of fun ways to incorporate the lean protein into your diet, from chicken sausage to ground chicken to bone-in, skin-on thighs. Presenting 53 tasty keto chicken recipes that are anything but boring.

BRITTANY CONERLY/EVERYDAY GRAND

1. French Onion Sheet Pan Chicken

Your favoritewinter soupmeets your go-to protein for a low-lift meal thatwill easilyfeeda crowd of six in one fell swoop. Best of all, it'll leave you withminimal dishes to clean afterwards(thanks, sheet pan).

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QUENTIN BACON/GO-TO DINNERS

2. Ina Garten’s Creamy Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Thyme

Leave it to the Barefoot Contessa to whip up a chicken dinner this elegant and easy. It would taste divine over rice or couscous, but you can serve it with greens or cauliflower rice to keep it keto.

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YUKI SUGIURA/LOVE JAPAN

3. Miso-Honey Broiled Chicken

This drool-worthy main is only six ingredients away. Take your pick of chicken breasts or thighs, and go light on the honey to keep the sugar and carbs down (or um, don't).

Get the recipe

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (6)

The Recipe Critic

4. Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Velvety sauce, sun-dried tomatoes and it's ready in 25 minutes flat—yes, please. Serve it over zoodles, with Caesar salad or atop low-carb pasta.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (7)

Ambitious Kitchen

5. Goat Cheese and Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms

When your friends say they don’t understand your keto diet, present them with this supremely cheesy masterpiece. The chicken is stuffed hasselback-style for the ideal meat-to-filling ratio.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (8)

Wholesome Yum

6. Buffalo Chicken Soup

It’s ideal for cold months, but we’d eat it all year-round.Instead of making your usualdipon game day, present them with this soup that will warm them right up(but you should still serve it with plenty of tortilla chips for dunking).

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (9)

Hey Keto Mama

7. Keto Chicken Enchilada Bowl

All the fixins' you crave (onions! chiles! avocado! sour cream!), minus the carby tortillas. Cauliflower rice will give you a keto-friendly Chipotle feel.

Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

8. Keto Sheet Pan Chicken and Rainbow Veggies

Because the kids want dinner now. Plate theirs with grains, bread or pasta, and stick to meat and vegetables yourself to keep the meal low-carb.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. Chicken Meatballs and Cauliflower Rice

Psst: Ground chicken is your new best friend. It cooks at lightning speed like other ground meats, but is leaner than typical beef.

Get the recipe

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (12)

Hey Keto Mama

10. Keto White Chicken Chili

No frigid night is a match for this liquid comfort. Cream cheese, heavy whipping cream and butter make it next-level indulgent.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (13)

Ambitious Kitchen

11. Slow Cooker Chicken Chile Verde

Kick your feet up: The Crockpot has dinner covered. Serve this keto-friendly dish with a side of cauliflower rice, and crown it with all the avocado and cilantro you desire.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12. Greek Lemon Chicken Skewers

Almost as good as a plane ticket to Santorini. Go ahead and slather the skewers in as much tzatziki as you'd like—the yogurt-based spread is on your diet.

Get the recipe

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (15)

Life Made Sweeter

13. Low-Carb Chicken Fajita Salad

If you must have salad, do it like this. Believe it or not, this sizzling stunner only takes 25 minutes to come together.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (16)

Foodie Crush

14. 30-Minute Caprese Chicken

Close your eyes, take a bite and boom: You’re in Italy. Aren't you glad mozzarella cheese is keto-friendly?

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (17)

Food Faith Fitness

15. Keto Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Packed with protein and made with just seven ingredients, this dish is an easy win. Pro tip: It's even better paired with cauliflower mashed potatoes.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (18)

Wholesome Yum

16. Whole Crockpot Chicken

Cool if we lick the plate? We'd bookmark this dinner party-worthy delight for Thanksgiving now if we were you...

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

17. One-Pan Roasted Chicken with Carrots

Go for bone-in, skin-on thighs for the juiciest results. (They're basically impossible to overcook, unlike drier chicken breasts.)

Get the recipe

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (20)

Wholesome Yum

18. Chicken Stir Fy

Say it with us: Not tonight, takeout. You'll have this 15-minute meal on the table faster than you can say "for delivery, please."

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

19. Thai Lettuce Wraps

Using sturdy, leafy greens in place of carb-based wraps and buns is a keto hack we swear by. These are spicy, bright and deliciously low-carb.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

20. Foolproof Cheater’s Confit

Chicken confit is a thing, guys. (Although chicken can easily be swapped for duck in this Insta-worthy entree.) Go wild on the garlic and fresh herbs.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

21. Lemon and Herb Roast Chicken

Hi, old friend, how nice that you’re on our diet. Six ingredients (including fresh thyme, rosemary and lemon) make this low-lift beauty possible.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

22. White Wine Coq au Vin

It’s ready in under an hour—Julia Child would be so proud of our foolproof shortcuts. Did we mention this skillet gem serves six?

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53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (25)

Wholesome Yum

23. Keto Chicken Tenders

Here's your reminder that chicken tenders are completely acceptable for adults, especially when they're low-carb (thanks to pork rind breading) and ready in 25 minutes flat.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

24. Balsamic Cranberry Roast Chicken

Bring on the low-carb comfort food. The rosemary and cranberry garnishes make it a no-brainer for Christmastime (or any old Tuesday, really).

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Erin McDowell

25. Avocado Chicken Salad

It’s anything but a Waldorf. The recipe calls for using shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own, so it's as low-lift as humanly possible.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

26. Crispy Grilled Chicken

This grilled chicken offers fried chicken vibes with none of the extra carbs. What's our secret you ask? We'll never tell. (OK, it's mayonnaise).

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53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (29)

Half Baked Harvest

27. Chicken, Avocado and Goat Cheese Salad

Worthy of a goddess (that's you, friend). As much as we love fresh produce and tangy goat cheese, the simple honey-balsamic vinaigrette really seals the deal.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (30)

Wholesome Yum

28. Keto Chicken Parmesan

This dish is so filling, you'll barelyhave room for dessert (well, almost). Even the pickiest eaterswon't be able to complainabout this comforting classic.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (31)

Damn Delicious

29. One-Pan Pizza Chicken

Speaking of picky eater-proof dinners, your kids will almost surely ask for seconds of this pepperoni-topped masterpiece.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (32)

Food Faith Fitness

30. Everything Bagel Chicken

This hearty main is all about the seasoning, which is store-bought for maximum ease. The rest is pantry staples and a generous dose of cream cheese.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (33)

Food Faith Fitness

31. Coconut Chicken Curry

Admit it: Your mouth just started watering. Basmati and naan are our go-to pairings, but cauliflower rice will do if you're on keto.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (34)

The Recipe Critic

32. Shrimp and Chicken Sausage Vegetable Skillet

It’s a great option for meal prepping, but TBH, you can make this dish at the drop of a hat when necessary. (Seriously—it'll be on the table in 20.)

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (35)

Wholesome Yum

33. Healthy Chicken Alfredo

You won't miss angel hair once you try it with spaghetti squash. Zoodles are a fine low-carb substitute, too.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (36)

Food Faith Fitness

34. Baked Chicken Nuggets

These are always a crowd-pleaser (and kid-approved). Serve them with a keto-friendly dip, like ranch dressing, mustard or hot sauce.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (37)

Two Sleevers

35. Basil Pesto Chicken

This 25-minute dish will become a permanent part of your weekly rotation at first bite. Make the pesto from scratch if you're feeling ambitious.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (38)

Two Sleevers

36. Jalapeño Popper Chicken Casserole

Take your taste buds on a wild ride with this crowd-pleaser that's equal parts spicy, cheesy and savory.

Dana Carpender/Keto for One

37. Keto Pasta with Chicken

If you’re not into chicken thighs, you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead. (Thighs dotend to be juicier and tastierthough, especially if you cook them with the skin on.)

Get the recipe

Leslie Grow/Keto in an Instant

38. Indian Butter Chicken

Anyone would love to gobble this Instant Pot gem up—even if they're not on the keto diet. The pressure cooker pulls it off in 20 minutes.

Get the recipe

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (41)

Wholesome Yum

39. Chicken Cauliflower Casserole

Prep this on a Sunday and enjoy it all through the week. The 35-minute recipe is gluten-free, low-carb and only requires 10 minutes of prep.

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (42)

Wholesome Yum

40. Butter Chicken

Yes, it's just as delicious (and buttery) as it sounds. Consider the 60-minute marinating time a built-in co*cktail hour for the chef.

Mellissa Sevigny/Squeaky Clean Keto

41. Everything Chicken Wings

Make a batch of these butter-doused wings that'll give Buffalo sauce a run for its money. Pass the blue cheese, please.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

42. Bruschetta Chicken

Meet bruschetta chicken: a speedy, nutritious meal that tastes super indulgent. (We credit the grated Parm.)

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Katie Wayne

43. Spicy Hummus Chicken Salad

Picnic fare at its finest. Make this shareable staple ahead if you have the time—or just mix it right before the cookout. Regardless, it'll only take you ten minutes.

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The Minimalist Kitchen

44. Family-Style Chicken Caesar Salad

Ditch the croutons and this crowd-pleaser will contain only eight grams of carbs per serving. Pile on the chicken for a boost of protein.

Get the recipe

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

45. Chicken and Snap Pea Stir Fry

We love how riffable this recipe is; toss in any vegetables you have on hand. Bonus? It’s ready to eat in 20 minutes.

Get the recipe

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (48)

The Modern Proper

46. Low-Carb Chicken Divan

We love a one-and-done dinner. All the veggies are baked in—no sides needed.

Christopher Hirsheimer/Canal House Cook Something

47. Chicken Thighs with Pancetta and Green Olives

The trick to crispy chicken thighs is to cook them skin side-down low and slow, starting in a cold pan. This slowly renders out all the fat.

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Kristen Kilpatrick/The Defined Dish

48. Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma with Lemon-Tahini Drizzle

A delicious dinner that cooks on a single baking sheet? Where do we sign up? A flurry of spices—like paprika, cumin and cinnamon—pack every bite with bold, warm flavor.

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Katherine Gillen

49. Hot Honey Chicken Thighs

This swicy dish is only six ingredients away (and you likely have most of them on hand). Did we mention it cooks to completion in a single skillet?

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Katherine Gillen

50. Honey-Mustard Grilled Chicken with Foil Packet Green Beans

Dinnertime at the campfire just got a lot tastier—and a lot less messy. Foil keeps the cleanup to a minimum, but it's also a great way to cook outdoors without a grill basket.

Get the recipe

Kate Sears/The Modern Table

51. Garlic-Confit Chicken with Lemon and Thyme

Slow cooked garlic cloves in oil (20 of 'em, to be exact) > everything. Don't @ us. This elegant entree is only seven additional ingredients away.

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Erin McDowell

52. Oven-Baked Buffalo Wings

It's time to bust out the carrots, celery and ranch (or blue cheese dressings). Oh, and all the napkins in your kitchen.

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Donna Griffith/The Primal Gourmet Cookbook

53. Piri Piri Chicken

Just like you'd get at a Portuguese churrasqueria. Spatchco*ck the bird (meaning remove its backbone) to reduce the cooking time and crisp the skin.

Get the recipe

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (56)

Heath Goldman

Food Editor

From 2017 to 2019 Heath Goldman held the role of Food Editor covering food, booze and some recipe development, too. Tough job, eh?

read full bio

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (57)

Taryn Pire

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...

read full bio

53 Keto Chicken Recipes You’ve Never Tried (2024)

FAQs

Can I eat chicken everyday on keto? ›

Meat and poultry

Meat and poultry are considered staple foods on the keto diet. Fresh meat and poultry contain no carbs and are rich in B vitamins and several important minerals. They're also a great source of high quality protein, which may help preserve muscle mass during a very low carb diet ( 18 , 19 , 20).

Is rotisserie chicken OK for keto? ›

You can expect there to be 0 grams net carbs in the average rotisserie chicken, making it the perfect staple for your keto diet. Tip: whether you eat the chicken breast, thighs, or legs, make sure to enjoy the skin as well for that added fat!

What part of chicken is best for keto diet? ›

Chicken thighs (with the skin on) are perfect for when you're on the ketogenic diet. The meat is a little richer and fattier than breast meat, plus keeping the skin on ups the fat count.

Why is there no chicken on keto? ›

With zero carbs, chicken is keto-approved. Opt for dark meat for more fat and iron. For example, one roasted chicken thigh with the skin on has 10 grams of fat, according to the USDA.

Can I eat unlimited chicken in keto? ›

Can I eat a whole chicken on keto? If it's within your protein budget, yes. However, a keto diet doesn't mean you can eat an unlimited amount of protein. Remember that protein can transform into glucose in the body, meaning a large protein intake can affect your ketosis levels if you are not careful.

Is peanut butter OK on keto? ›

Peanut butter can definitely be part of a keto diet, but it's best to stick to plain options that are free of extra flavors and sweeteners. Almond butter is a good choice, too, and it's slightly lower in carbs. Additionally, you should be mindful of your portion size if you're trying to lose weight.

Is too much chicken bad on keto? ›

When following a keto diet, it's important to pay attention to the portion size of the food you eat. While roasted chicken is generally considered a keto-friendly food, the amount you eat can affect your daily macronutrient intake and potentially impact your weight loss progress.

How many chicken can I eat on keto? ›

"With a keto diet, the breakdown is approximately 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein and 5 percent carbohydrates." For example, a woman who weighs 150 pounds and is moderately active is recommended to eat 25 grams of carbs (think one medium sized apple!), 86 grams of protein (a little over three 3 oz chicken breasts) ...

Can you eat salads on keto? ›

You can eat a variety of salads on keto, as long as they contain healthy fats and proteins and are low in carbs. Egg salad, grilled chicken salad, shrimp salad, cauliflower salad, arugula salad, cucumber salad, antipasto salad, Greek salad, Caprese salad, and spinach salad are just a few keto-friendly salads to enjoy.

Which fruit is keto? ›

Keto fruits by definition are low in carbohydrates. You still need to exercise portion control with most keto-friendly fruits to be within the limits of a keto diet. Keto-friendly fruits include avocados, watermelon, strawberries, lemons, tomatoes, raspberries, peaches, cantaloupe, star fruit, and blackberries.

What cheese is good for keto? ›

Some cheeses suit the keto diet better than others. This mainly comes down to their carb and fat content and level of processing. The best keto cheeses include cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese, while the worst are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.

Is KFC considered keto? ›

Although KFC is renowned for the Colonel's crispy fried chicken, its batter unfortunately adds 8-11 net carbs for just one medium-sized piece. That being said, KFC can still be a keto-friendly spot to hit up when ordering Kentucky grilled chicken.

What foods are surprisingly not keto? ›

- Grains: Rice, wheat, oats, barley, rye, quinoa, buckwheat, etc. - Starchy Vegetables: Potatoes, peas, sweet potatoes, yams, corn, cassava, artichoke, etc. - Refined Carbs: Bread, pasta, pastries, tortilla, sandwich, etc. Due to the high-carb content of these food items, they are not keto-friendly.

Will KFC chicken kick me out of ketosis? ›

Although KFC is renowned for the Colonel's crispy fried chicken, its batter unfortunately adds 8-11 net carbs for just one medium-sized piece. That being said, KFC can still be a keto-friendly spot to hit up when ordering Kentucky grilled chicken.

How much chicken can I eat on keto per day? ›

"With a keto diet, the breakdown is approximately 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein and 5 percent carbohydrates." For example, a woman who weighs 150 pounds and is moderately active is recommended to eat 25 grams of carbs (think one medium sized apple!), 86 grams of protein (a little over three 3 oz chicken breasts) ...

Is chicken OK to eat every day? ›

Chicken is a healthy food (as long as it's poached, baked or grilled), but that doesn't mean you should eat it every single day. As both dietitians have explained, eating a wide variety of foods is the best way to give your body the nutrients it needs.

How much meat can I eat per day on keto? ›

If eating a high amount of protein is one of your keto goals, then eat meat everydeay on keto is not hard at all. In fact, you can aim to be eating around 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. For example, if you weigh 80 kilograms, you should be consuming 80 grams of protein each day.

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