This Mexican spiced inspired popcorn chicken is a savory and delightful keto popcorn chicken. A spicy keto popcorn chicken that can be made in your air fryer or in oil on the stove.
Sometimes I crave a battered chicken, and that is when I reach for this low carb popcorn chicken. It satisfies my cravings and helps prevent me from going through a drive-thru and eating the carbs I want to stay away from.
Spicy Keto Popcorn Chicken
This spicy popcorn chicken is low carb and Keto friendly too. It’s flavorful with the perfect kick and not too spicy for mild tastebuds. If you are looking for a new way to cook up boneless chicken try my recipe. The pork rinds add a nice crunchy batter on the outside with a tender and juicy chicken center. Pair with your favorite Keto dipping sauce and devour.
Can You Make this In Air Fryer
Yes, you absolutely can make this popcorn chicken the air fryer. Simply place on your air fryer and cook accordingly. Or opt for oil and pan fry. You can also bake in the oven if you don’t want the excess grease.
Hands down this have been the best keto chicken recipe I have made in a while. We absolutely love it.
Is This Mexican Popcorn Chicken Spicy
This popcorn chicken does carry a little heat from the red pepper flakes. If you want to tame down the heat for kids make sure to leave out the red pepper flakes. Then it won’t be as spicy and more friendly for the whole family.
You can also add more flakes or even a splash of hot sauce to elevate the heat factor if you love the spice. This chicken recipe is very adaptable.
Tips For Making Popcorn Chicken
- Make sure to cut the chicken up in even pieces. This will help to ensure that each piece gets cooked the same amount of time. If you do all different sizes some will require longer cooking while others will cook a lot faster.
- If you don’t have all the spices you can swap it out for a homemade taco seasoning like a tablespoon or two depending how much flavor you want.
- Watch the cooking time. Because we all are going to have a different thickness in chicken and sizes, you will want to cook until the chicken is cooked through. If you need to do a meat thermometer.
- Make sure to crunch up the pork rinds fine so they are similar to bread crumbs. That way it coats nicely and gives you a nice even layer.
Is Popcorn Chicken Keto
Yes, this particular popcorn chicken is keto. Now, other recipes out there that use regular all-purpose flour will not be keto-friendly. You will find that they are loaded with empty carbs.
I recommend using recipes like this, that are adapted so they can be keto and low carb. You can still enjoy the foods you love by cooking with different ingredients.
Does Low Carb Popcorn Chicken Store Well
This is best when served fresh. The texture of the batter is best fresh. You can store in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave, air fryer or heat it up in the oven. You will find the coating is a bit softer than fresh. But it still tastes great.
How to Make This Spicy Keto Popcorn Chicken
First add in the oil to a deep skillet or pot, heat it over a medium to high heat on the stove top. (If you are using an air fryer, begin to get it preheated if necessary).
Next cut the chicken tenderloin strips into bite sized pieces.
Then in a shallow bowl, add in the two beaten eggs. Continue to add in salt and pepper to taste.
In a separate shallow bowl, combine the crushed pork rind crumbs, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin and paprika. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
Dredge the chicken pieces in first the egg mixture, and then coat them in the pork rind crumb mixture. You will want to place them onto a plate until you have finished coating all of the chicken pieces.
Using tongs place the chicken pieces into the heated oil. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned on the outside and fully cooked on the inside.
Pro tip be careful not to heat your oil on high heat. If your oil is smoking, the outside of your popcorn chicken will burn before the inside is fully cooked.
Serve with your favorite keto approved dipping sauces.
Keto Spicy Popcorn Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken tenderloin strips
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 cup crushed pork rind crumbs
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- oil for frying pan or air fryer
- salt + pepper to taste
- pinch of red pepper flake optional to add spice
Instructions
- First add in the oil to a deep skillet or pot, heat it over a medium to high heat on the stove top. (If you are using an air fryer, begin to get it preheated if necessary).
- Next cut the chicken tenderloin strips into bite sized pieces.
- Then in a shallow bowl, add in the two beaten eggs. Continue to add in salt and pepper to taste.
- In a separate shallow bowl, combine the crushed pork rind crumbs, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, cumin and paprika. Mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
- Dredge the chicken pieces in first the egg mixture, and then coat them in the pork rind crumb mixture. You will want to place them onto a plate until you have finished coating all of the chicken pieces.
- Using tongs place the chicken pieces into the heated oil. Cook for 5-6 minutes until browned on the outside and fully cooked on the inside.
- Pro tip be careful not to heat your oil on high heat. If your oil is smoking, the outside of your popcorn chicken will burn before the inside is fully cooked.
- Serve with your favorite keto approved dipping sauces.
Nutrition
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