This crunchy keto ranch popcorn chicken recipe only has 2 grams net carbs in each serving! It’s made with Cheddar Moon Cheese for a yummy crunch that is also low-carb.
Maybe it’s because I watch my kids eat every day, but sometimes I’m just in the mood for some popcorn chicken. I found a way to give these small pieces of chicken breast a crispy exterior without having to use flour.
Even if you aren’t on the keto diet, these little nuggets are gluten-free so they are so good for you!
Low-Carb Popcorn Chicken Recipe
The entire recipe is in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can scroll down to it. I’m going to share some tips and information about this recipe before I get there.
The secret to this low-carb popcorn chicken recipe is Cheddar Moon Cheese.
What is cheddar moon cheese? Have you ever heard of it? It used to be sold at Starbucks but now you can buy it at local grocery stores too. Cheddar Moon cheese is basically crunchy cheese bites that are shelf-stable.
It’s just cheese. No flour, no thickeners. Just cheese. They basically sucked all the moisture out of the cheese so now it’s crunchy like potato chips. You can use it just like pork rinds in recipes to give things a crispy crust.
What’s In It
Here is what I used in this recipe, along with any substitutions you can make:
- Chicken thighs – I used boneless and skinless thighs. You can also use chicken breast.
- Ranch seasoning mix – look for packets that don’t have carbs
- Egg
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Cheddar Moon Cheese
Keto Baked Popcorn Chicken
There are lots of ways you can serve this popcorn chicken. My favorite is to add them to my meal prep. I chop them up and add them to my salads. It’s such a quick and easy way to eat a low-carb lunch.
They also make a fun snack. Grab a few of them when you are feeling hungry in between meals. It’s a low-carb and high-protein way to snack.
How To Store It
You should store the cooked popcorn chicken in a sealed container in the refrigerator. They will last about a week in the refrigerator.
They taste the best fresh out of the oven, but they also taste delicious cold out of the fridge. If you want to reheat them, they will get softer in the microwave. The best way to reheat them is in the oven.
Easy Popcorn Chicken Appetizer
If you have a party, serve this popcorn chicken. Share them with your favorite low-carb dipping sauce. Or, add appetizer picks in each nugget and drizzle with keto ranch dressing. They look so cute and taste perfect at parties.
I love having a recipe like this that I can make for parties. Party food is notoriously high in carbs. Nothing but potato skins, desserts, and chips. It’s nice to be able to have something fun and delicious that you can eat so you can avoid temptation.
Keto Appetizer Recipes
Believe it or not, there are lots of easy keto appetizer recipes that take no time at all to prepare. Keto pigs in a blanket are kid-friendly and easy to serve at parties.
You can’t go wrong with keto guacamole deviled eggs. And everyone will love these keto mozzarella cheese sticks. They are so yummy!
Keto Ranch Popcorn Chicken
Here is the complete list of ingredients that you’ll need to make this recipe in a printable recipe card. Exact measurements are located below in the printable recipe card.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Net Carbs: 2 net carbs per serving
Ingredients:
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Ranch seasoning mix (look for the zero carb version)
- Large egg
- Heavy whipping cream
- Cheddar Moon Cheese
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Place the chicken into a ziploc bag with the Ranch seasoning and toss to coat well.
Add the egg and heavy whipping cream to a bowl and whisk to combine.
Put the crushed Moon cheese crumbs into a shallow bowl or plate.
Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture and then coat them in the Moon Cheese crumbs.
Add the coated chicken to a baking rack that has been placed on a large baking sheet.
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Keto Ranch Popcorn Chicken Recipe
Equipment
- Ziploc Bag
- Baking Rack
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb chicken thighs boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pkg Ranch seasoning mix zero carb version
- 2 tbsp Heavy whipping cream
- 2 bags Cheddar Moon Cheese crushed into crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Place the chicken into a ziploc bag with the Ranch seasoning and toss to coat well.
- Add the egg and heavy whipping cream to a bowl and whisk to combine.
- Put the crushed Moon cheese crumbs into a shallow bowl or plate.
- Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture and then coat them in the Moon Cheese crumbs.
- Add the coated chicken to a baking rack that has been placed on a large baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until cooked through, and serve with your favorite keto-friendly dipping sauce.
Notes
Net Carbs: 2 Net Carbs
The nutritional information for this recipe is calculated as a courtesy and is approximate only. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipes on this site.
Kid-Friendly Keto Recipes
If you enjoyed this keto popcorn chicken recipe, you will love these recipes too! Make a bunch since you’ll be sharing them with your kiddos.
