Carnivore Fried Chicken: A Crispy, All-Animal Indulgence

For those adhering to a carnivore diet, the idea of fried chicken might seem like a distant memory. Conventional fried chicken is typically off-limits due to its breading made from high-carb grains and frying in inflammatory seed oils. However, with a few clever substitutions, you can enjoy a crispy, flavorful fried chicken that aligns with your dietary principles. This article explores how to create carnivore-friendly fried chicken using all-animal products, focusing on pork cracklings or rinds as a breading alternative.

The Carnivore Diet and Fried Chicken: Is It Possible?

The carnivore diet primarily consists of animal products, mainly meat. While a standard diet of beef may make chicken seem boring, that is not the case with the right recipes. The key to making fried chicken carnivore-friendly lies in replacing the traditional breading with an animal-based alternative. The answer is yes, if you are willing to modify the recipe. Presumably, this means shallow-fried rather than deep fried in batter. If you feel like eating fried chicken would enable you to continue to reap whatever benefits you feel you're getting from the carnivore diet then go right ahead.

Pork Cracklings/Rinds: The Carnivore Breading Solution

Pork rinds or cracklings serve as an excellent substitute for flour-based breading. Both are derived from pork skin, but cracklings typically include some of the underlying fat, resulting in a richer flavor and thicker coating.

• Pork Cracklings: A mix of pork skin and fat, pork cracklings create a thick, oily powder when blended, resulting in a substantial breading layer.
• Pork Rinds: While pork rinds can be used, they tend to be drier and may not create as thick a breading as pork cracklings.

Carnivore Fried Chicken Recipes

Here are a couple of recipes that will allow you to indulge in fried chicken while sticking to your carnivore diet:

Recipe 1: Carnivore Fried Chicken Strips with Pork Cracklings

This recipe focuses on using pork cracklings to create a crispy coating for chicken strips.

Read also: Keto Cauliflower Fried Rice Recipe

Ingredients:

• 450g chicken thighs
• 6 oz pork cracklings
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp salt
• Oil for frying (lard, bacon grease, or beef tallow recommended)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pork Cracklings: Blend the pork cracklings until they reach a fine, oily powder consistency. Place the powder in a medium bowl.
2. Cut the Chicken: Cut the chicken thighs into strips approximately 4 inches long and 1 inch wide.
3. Egg Wash: Beat the eggs in a small bowl.
4. Breading: Dip each chicken strip into the pork crackling powder, then into the beaten eggs, and back into the pork crackling powder, ensuring a thick, even coating. Press more pork crackling powder onto each strip to make the coating even thicker.
5. Frying: Fill the bottom of a pan with enough oil to cover at least half of your chicken pieces and bring to medium heat.
6. Cook: Carefully place the chicken pieces one at a time into the oil. After about 5-10 minutes and once the underside has turned a dark golden brown, flip the chicken and cook for about the same amount of time. Cook longer the thicker the chicken is.
7. Serve: Remove from the oil with a utensil that allows some of the oil to drain. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe 2: Keto Fried Chicken (Adaptable to Carnivore)

This recipe, originally designed for a keto diet, can be easily adapted to be purely carnivore by omitting the pepper and spice blend.

Ingredients:

• Four raw chicken pieces (bone-in, skin-on thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
• 1 cup full-fat plain yogurt OR 2 eggs (use eggs for strict carnivore)
• 1 cup pork rinds or cracklings
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-2 cups oil for frying (lard, bacon grease, or beef tallow recommended)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Pork Rinds/Cracklings: Put pork rinds or cracklings in a blender or food processor and grind until they reach a fine consistency. Pour into a wide bowl and stir in the salt.
2. Coat the Chicken: Coat your chicken pieces in either yogurt (if not strictly carnivore) or a beaten egg.
3. Breading: Roll the chicken in the ground pork rinds or cracklings, ensuring an even coating.
4. Frying: Fill the bottom of a pan with enough oil to cover at least half of your chicken pieces and bring to medium heat.
5. Cook: Carefully place the chicken pieces one at a time into the oil. After about 5-10 minutes and once the underside has turned a dark golden brown, flip the chicken and cook for about the same amount of time. Cook longer the thicker the chicken is.
6. Serve: Remove from the oil with a utensil that allows some of the oil to drain, and enjoy!

Baking Option:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Follow steps 1-3 above.
3. Place butter (or other animal fat) in a 9x13 pan in the oven until melted and bubbling. Make sure to take it out before it browns.
4. Place chicken, skin side down, into hot butter.
5. Place into oven and bake for 30 minutes.

Tips for Perfect Carnivore Fried Chicken

• Chicken Selection: While any chicken pieces will work, higher fat, more flavorful dark meat like thighs, legs, and wings are recommended. If using chicken breasts, consider cutting them into thinner pieces to ensure they cook through without over-browning the breading.
• Fat Choice: Any animal-based cooking fat will work. Lard (leftover bacon oil) is a popular choice. Using a smaller pan that closely fits the chicken pieces will minimize the amount of oil needed. The oil can be strained and reused.
• Yogurt Tenderizing: If using yogurt (for those not strictly carnivore), it can tenderize the chicken and remove any "old" taste. Use a high-fat yogurt like Fage Total 5%. Some argue that yogurt has fewer carbs than listed due to bacteria consuming lactose sugars.
• Breading Thickness: Ensure the breading layer is thick for maximum crispiness. Press additional pork crackling powder onto the chicken after the initial coating.
• Oven-Fried Option: For a less messy and potentially healthier option, consider oven-frying the chicken. Melt butter in a pan in the oven, then add the breaded chicken and bake until golden brown and crispy.
• Spice Variations: While a strict carnivore diet excludes spices, you can experiment with different animal-based seasonings like rendered bacon fat or dried, ground bone marrow for added flavor.

Addressing Common Concerns

• Is Fried Chicken Carnivore? As mentioned earlier, traditional fried chicken is not carnivore-friendly due to the breading and oils used. However, by using pork rinds/cracklings and animal fats, you can create a carnivore-compliant version.
• Hidden Ingredients: Be mindful of hidden ingredients in commercially prepared pork rinds or cracklings. Some brands may contain added seasonings or preservatives that are not strictly carnivore.
• Individual Tolerance: As with any dietary approach, individual tolerance may vary. Pay attention to how your body responds to this modified fried chicken and adjust accordingly.

Read also: Healthy Keto Fried Rice

Read also: Low-Carb Fried Cheese Sticks

tags: #fried #chicken #on #carnivore #diet