Irresistibly Crispy Keto Chicken Croquettes: Cheesy, Low-Carb Perfection!

Looking for a delicious and easy way to enjoy chicken while staying true to your ketogenic lifestyle? Look no further than keto chicken croquettes! These delightful bites are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with savory flavor. Whether you're seeking a quick low-carb meal, a satisfying appetizer, or a high-protein snack, these croquettes are a perfect choice.

Why You'll Love These Keto Chicken Croquettes

Fabulous Flavor: The combination of sharp cheddar, garlic, and red pepper flakes creates a bold and irresistible savory flavor.
Healthy Ingredients: This recipe relies on simple, wholesome ingredients like chicken, cheese, almond flour, and seasonings.
Customizable: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack or use ground turkey instead of chicken.
Make Ahead: Prepare these croquettes ahead of time for easy appetizers or family-friendly dinners.
Great Macros: With a focus on high protein and low carbs, these chicken croquettes are ideal for keto-friendly diets.

Ingredients

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Here's what you'll need:

Cooked Chicken: This recipe is a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken, but canned chicken works well too. Chicken breast is often preferred, but any leftover chicken is fine, just remove the skin.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Grated sharp cheddar adds a cheesy, savory flavor and helps create a crispy golden crust.
Almond Flour: Almond flour acts as a binder, holding the mixture together. Other nut or seed meals can be used, but coconut flour is not recommended as it can make the croquettes dry.
Egg: An egg helps to bind the ingredients.
Garlic: Garlic adds a punch of flavor.
Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a touch of freshness.
Salt, Pepper, and Red Pepper Flakes: These seasonings enhance the overall flavor profile.
Optional Ingredients: Mayo, sour cream, parmesan carrots, celery, curry, dill.

Preparation

Simple Steps to Crispy Keto Croquettes

Making these keto chicken croquettes is surprisingly easy. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Combine the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cheddar, almond flour, egg, garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Use your hands to mix everything well until the mixture is nicely uniform. If the mixture is too dry, add more mayo.
Form the Patties: Use about 2 tablespoons of the mixture at a time and form into small patties, about 2 ½ to 3 inches across. You should get 24 to 26 small patties. Place the patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment or waxed paper and refrigerate for about an hour. An hour in the fridge allows the fritters to firm up hold together better when frying. But you can make the patties up to a day in advance of cooking. Make them any size! I like the small fritters for appetizers and snacks but many readers turn them into full size burgers.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Cooking

Achieving Golden Perfection

There are several ways to cook your keto chicken croquettes, each offering a slightly different texture and flavor:

Pan-Frying: Heat the oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add 8 to 10 of the chicken patties. Cook about 3 minutes per side, until cooked through (the internal temperature should reach at least 165ºF on an instant read thermometer) and golden brown. Place the finished patties on a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any residual oil. Repeat until all of the patties are cooked. I recommend scraping out some of the stuck-on cheese between batches, to avoid burning it.
Air Frying: Grease the basket of your air fryer well and brush a little melted butter over the fritters to help them brown. Cook at 400ºF for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking.
Baking: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake croquettes for 15- 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Serving and Storage

Enjoying Your Keto Chicken Croquettes

These versatile croquettes can be served in a variety of ways:

As an Appetizer: Serve with feta dressing or chipotle ranch dressing for dipping.
As a Meal: Pair with a side of steamed garlic broccoli or a fresh salad.
As a Snack: Enjoy them as a high-protein snack any time of day.
In Sandwiches: Use them to create delicious and satisfying keto-friendly sandwiches.
Chicken Parmesan: Use these patties to make your own chicken parmesan.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a warm oven. You can also freeze the cooked chicken fritters for several months. Use a heavy-duty freezer bag and remove excess air to avoid freezer burn.

Variations and Tips

Cheese Variations: Experiment with different cheeses like pepper jack for a spicier kick.
Meat Variations: Use ground turkey or even canned chicken instead of rotisserie chicken. If using canned chicken make sure to pat dry as much as possible.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat.
Add Vegetables: Incorporate finely chopped vegetables like spinach, carrots, or celery for added nutrients and flavor.
Make it Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, but ensure all your ingredients are certified gluten-free if necessary.
Texture Tip: For a crispier texture, consider adding crushed pork rinds to the coating.
Freezer Instructions: After patties have cooled in refrigerator, individually wrap with plastic wrap and store in freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutritional Information

This keto chicken fritter recipe has approximately 1.7g of carbs and 0.6g of fiber per serving. If you count net carbs, that comes to 0.9g carbs for 2 fritters.

Please note that nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

tags: #keto #chicken #croquettes #recipe