Low-Carb Chicken Nuggets with Almond Meal

Make your own Low-Carb and Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggers and they’re South Beach Diet Friendly! Or check out my updated Low-Carb Baked Chicken Nuggets with Mustard, Almond, and Parmesan.

[Edit 2018: I came up with this version of chicken nuggets back in 2014, but nowdays I’d prefer my Low-Carb Baked Chicken Nuggets with Mustard, Almond, and Parmesan. But this version does have some fans so I am leaving it here for those who like it; take your choice!]

I’m not a mom who’s trying to feed kids while sticking to a carb-conscious diet, but if I was, I’m guessing I’d be even more excited about this way of making chicken nuggets with “breading” that doesn’t have any carbs. The inspiration for the recipe came from my lovely friend Bonnie who adapted a recipe that used Bisquick into a South Beach approved version using almond meal or almond flour.  Bonnie’s having great success on South Beach, trying out a new way of cooking and eating that she says she knows she will stick to for the rest of her life, and this chicken recipe is one of her great experiments. (Thanks Bonnie!)

I do think there are lots of other seasonings that might taste good in the coating for these nuggets besides the paprika and poultry seasoning I used in this recipe. If someone comes up with a good variation, we’d love to hear about it in the comments.

I used a pack with just two chicken breasts to test out the recipe, but it can easily be doubled or tripled. Start by cutting each chicken breast into 5 same-size pieces, trimming off any fat or tendons. (I save those scraps you see in the back for making homemade chicken stock.)

Then use a meat mallet or something else heavy to pound the thicker pieces of meat so they’re all about the same thickness.

Mix together almond meal or flour, paprika, poultry seasoning, salt and pepper, to make a meal to dip the nuggets in. Coat each nugget piece with this mixture, pressing it on so it sticks.

Brush a baking sheet liberally with olive oil and preheat the pan in a 400F/205C oven, then lay the coated nuggets on the baking sheet.

After about 8-10 minutes, turn the nugget pieces so they will brown on the second side.

Cook nuggets about 10-12 minutes more on the second side, until they’re lightly browned and cooked through. Serve hot.

Make it a Meal: Some good low-carb side dishes for this would be Stir-Fried Green Beans with Lemon, Parmesan, and Pine Nuts, Spicy Mexican Slaw, or even Val’s Kid-Friendly Broiled Zucchini Rounds with Cheese if you’re making it for kids.

More Tasty Ideas with Baked Chicken:

Chicken Stuffed with Green Chiles and Cheese from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Baked Chicken Nuggets from Macheesmo
Easy Chicken Cordon Bleu from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Baked Chicken Drumsticks with Dijon Mustard and Ancho Chile Pepper Sauce from Cookin’ Canuck
Parmesan Chicken from Kalyn’s Kitchen
Alex’s Favorite Baked Chicken Mediterranean from Gluten-Free Goddess
Easy Recipe for Baked Pesto Chicken from Kalyn’s Kitchen

Low-Carb Chicken Nuggets with Almond Meal
(Makes two servings, but can easily be doubled or tripled, recipe inspired by Bonnie’s baked chicken with almond meal.)

Ingredients:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1-2 T olive oil (enough to generously coat the baking sheet)
1/2 cup almond meal or almond flour
1 tsp. paprika (not smoked or hot)
1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Turn on the oven to 400F/205C. Brush a baking sheet liberally with olive oil and put the pan in the oven to heat as the oven preheats.

Trim all visible fat and tendons from chicken breasts, then cut each breast into 5 nugget pieces (or more if you have a very large breast.) Use a meal mallet or something heavy to pound the thicker nugget pieces so they’re all the same thickness.Combine the almond meal, paprika, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl, mixing together well. Dip each nugget piece into the almond meal mixture, pressing on with your fingers so it coats the chicken. Coat all the nuggets before you remove the baking sheet from the oven.

When all nuggets are coated, lay them on the hot baking sheet and cook 8-10 minutes, or until the side touching the pan is lightly browned. Remove pan from oven, turn nuggets, and bake 10-12 minutes more on the second side, until nuggets are lightly browned and cooked through. (Don’t overcook.) Serve hot, with mustard or ranch dipping sauce if desired.

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Low-Carb Diet / Low-Glycemic Diet / South Beach Diet Suggestions:
Low-Carb Chicken Nuggets with Almond Meal is a great dish for low-carb diet plans, and for any phase of the South Beach Diet.

Find More Recipes Like This One:
Use the Recipes by Diet Type photo index pages to find more recipes suitable for a specific eating plan. You might also like to Follow Kalyn’s Kitchen on Pinterest to see all the good recipes I’m sharing there.

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