Chicken Cutlet on a Carnivore Diet: Recipes and Benefits

The carnivore diet, which consists primarily of animal products, has gained popularity for its potential health benefits. Chicken, being a versatile and protein-rich food, can be a staple in many carnivore diet recipes. This article explores various ways to prepare chicken cutlets while adhering to carnivore diet principles, along with the advantages of including chicken in your diet.

Why Chicken on a Carnivore Diet?

Chicken breast is rich in lean protein, healthy fat, and low levels of carbohydrates, which are necessary for those on Carnivore, Lion, and Ketogenic diets. Each chicken breast can contain approximately 290-320 calories, 60-70 grams of protein, 5-7 grams of fat, and less than 1 gram of carbohydrates.

Benefits of Chicken Breast

• Tenderness and Juiciness: Cooking chicken breasts in the oven creates a moist and tender texture.
• Crispiness: Another advantage of cooking chicken breasts in the oven is the extra crispiness and golden crust.
• Versatility: This Carnivore chicken breast recipe can give you a main meal, but you can also use it with other courses.
• High Levels of Protein: Chicken breast is rich in lean protein, healthy fat, and low levels of carbohydrates, which are necessary for those on Carnivore, Lion, and Ketogenic diets.

Basic Carnivore Chicken Breast Recipe

This recipe uses only a few simple ingredients, making it easy for anyone, even those with little culinary experience, to prepare a delicious and compliant meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 8-oz. chicken breasts
• 4 cups water
• Some butter
• 1/4 cup sea salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C).
2. Brine the chicken breasts by putting them in a bowl with about 4 cups of water to cover them.
3. Add sea salt, stir well, and let them soak for 10 minutes.
4. Remove the chicken breasts from the salt water, rinse, and pat dry.
5. Melt butter over medium heat.
6. Place the chicken breasts into a baking dish and brush with melted butter.
7. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes to cook through and look golden.
8. Remove from the oven, cover with foil, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Carnivore "Shake and Bake" Chicken

This recipe offers a creative twist on traditional shake and bake, using pork rinds instead of breadcrumbs for a carnivore-friendly coating.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Pork rinds, crushed into a breadcrumb-like consistency
• Seasonings (adjust to your taste, but consider salt, pepper, and garlic powder)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 °F (175 °C).
2. Combine the crushed pork rinds and seasonings in a 2-qt (2-liter) zip-lock bag.
3. Add one chicken breast to the bag and close the bag tightly.
4. Shake the bag well until the chicken breast is completely coated with pork rinds and seasonings.
5. Take the coated chicken breast from the bag and place it into a glass or ceramic baking dish.
6. Repeat the coating process with the rest of the chicken breasts and place them also in the baking dish.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes, or until the juices run clear.
8. Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest briefly before serving.

Tips for Shake and Bake

• Low-Carb: This recipe is a low-carb alternative to traditional shake and bake.
• Easy Cleanup: Remember to seal the zip-lock bag tightly before shaking to avoid a mess.
• Preparation: Prepare your chicken for the shake and bake experience, store it in the fridge, and bake it when you’re ready - on the same day, that is.
• Alternatives: If you don’t have pork rinds, try almond flour or Parmesan cheese for a different twist.
• Mixing: If you find yourself bag-less, grab a bowl and a spoon to mix.
• Kid-Friendly: This dish is hands-on, fun to make, and even more fun to eat.
• Don't Underestimate the Chicken: Chicken breast has been waiting for its Cinderella moment, and this Carnivore Shake and Bake Chicken recipe is the glass slipper.
• Flexibility: Chicken breasts are like the blank canvas of the poultry world - they’re just waiting for a chance to shine.
• Thighs the Limit: Go ahead and swap in some juicy thighs if that’s more your jam. With a standing ovation, of course!

Carnivore Chicken Parmesan

This recipe adapts the classic Chicken Parmesan to fit a carnivore diet by using pork panko or powdered Parmesan as a breading.

Read also: Creamy Keto Ranch Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Eggs
• Pork panko (or powdered Parmesan or PSMF Flour)
• Tallow, lard, or duck fat for cooking
• Mozzarella cheese slices
• Butter
• Garlic
• Cream cheese
• Broth
• Parmesan

Instructions:

1. Pound out the chicken breasts to 1/2 inch thickness.
2. Crack the eggs into a shallow baking dish. Place the pork panko (or powdered Parmesan or PSMF Flour) in another shallow baking dish.
3. Dredge chicken in the eggs and let any excess drip off, then dip both sides of the chicken in the pork panko and use your hands to coat the chicken well.
4. Heat a large non-stick scan pan to medium high heat. Add the tallow, lard or duck fat to the pan.
5. Once hot, add the chicken breasts (you will have to work in batches depending on how large your skillet is). Cook for 3 minutes, flip and cook another 3 minutes.
6. Place a slice of mozzarella onto each chicken breast and place the skillet into a broiler oven for a minute or until the cheese is melted and the chicken breast reads 165 degrees F in the thickest part of the breast.
7. Make the sauce: Place the butter in a saucepan with the garlic and cook until light golden brown, stirring constantly so the butter doesn’t burn. Turn the heat to low and smash up the garlic in the butter. Stir in the cream cheese, broth, and Parmesan. Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth. Simmer on low while you make the chicken parmesan.
8. To assemble the Carnivore Chicken Parmesan, place 1/2 cup protein sparing noodles if using onto a plate. Spoon a few tablespoons of the carnivore alfredo sauce over the noodles and top with a chicken breast.

Baked Chicken Strips with Pork Crackling Coating

This recipe uses pork cracklings to create a thick, crunchy breading for chicken strips.

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs, cut into strips
• Eggs, beaten
• Pork cracklings, blended into an oily powder
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Make the breading: Take the pork cracklings and blend them until they reach the consistency of an oily powder. Place the pork crackling powder in a medium-sized bowl.
2. Prepare the chicken strips: Cut the chicken thighs into strips (about 4 inches long and 1/2-1 inch wide).
3. Make the fried chicken: Beat the eggs in a small bowl. Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture. Once fully coated, immerse it into the pork crackling powder and roll it around until it’s fully coated with a thick layer. The powder will be oily and should stick together.
4. Place the coated chicken strips onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Salt them liberally.
5. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees, flip, then bake for another 20-25 minutes. The coating should be hard to the touch and crunchy when the chicken strips are finished.

Tips for Pork Crackling Chicken

• Thick Breading: When creating the breading layer, make sure it’s thick.
• Pork Cracklings: The pork cracklings work well because they’re both pork skin and fat, so it creates a thick and oily powder that creates a thick layer of breading.
• Extra Coating: After dipping the chicken strips in the egg and the pork crackling powder, stick some more pork crackling powder on the chicken strip to form an even thicker layer.
• Cooking Methods: You can bake these in your oven, use an air fryer, or use traditional deep frying methods. Baking is often preferred.

Variations and Tips

• Bacon Wrapped: Wrap the seasoned chicken breasts with bacon slices before baking for added flavor and fat.
• Spicy Variation: Add a kick to the recipe by incorporating cayenne pepper or chili flakes into the seasoning mixture.
• Dairy-Free: Omit the parmesan cheese or substitute it with a dairy-free alternative such as nutritional yeast for a dairy-free option.
• Chicken Thighs: You can use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
• Resting Time: Allow the cooked chicken to rest for a few minutes before slicing or serving to retain its juices.

Read also: Low-carb chicken nuggets recipe.

Read also: Chicken and Brown Rice: A Healthy Choice

tags: #chicken #cutlet #carnivore #diet