This might just be the best low carb fried chicken recipe you will ever eat. No breading at all, just crispy skin and perfect seasoning! Perfect for the keto diet.
You know when you are eating food so good, you just can’t sit still? It’s like that little wiggle of happiness starts deep down inside you and you’ve just got it let it out. You dance around a bit in your chair. You tap your toes and snap your fingers. You may even get up from your place and do a little boogie. That food is so good, you just gotta move, you know what I’m saying? Well this here recipe is exactly that kind of food. This is the best low carb fried chicken I’ve ever made and believe me, it doesn’t have even the littlest bit of breading on it. It’s totally naked and it’s shake-your-groove-thing delicious!
When I lived in Massachusetts, there was a surprisingly good Chinese restaurant not too far from my house. We didn’t have much in the way of good restaurants in our suburban area so it had relatively decent patronage. If you didn’t want to head into Boston, you had your choice of multiple mediocre Italian places or you could go to Mandarin Reading (pronounced “Redding”). There was plenty to choose from, including sushi (I guess they were trying to be Pan-Asian!), and it was all fresh and flavourful. But what always had me coming back for more were the Chinese chicken wings. Oh my god, they were good. Sometimes I would put in a huge take-out order just of the wings, and we would feast on them. They were incredibly crisp and perfectly seasoned. I could have eaten them every day.
I tried to perfect those deep-fried wings numerous times at home to varying degrees of success. I did my research and it was clear that double-frying was the way to go. A first initial fry to get out much of the moisture in the wings and then a second fry to really crisp them up. Let’s be honest…total pain in the ass and a lot of work for not nearly enough reward. I gave up for a while and figured I’d just have to make do with ordering them from Mandarin Reading.
Then I moved clear across the country and Mandarin Reading became a wee bit more difficult to access. And although Portland is the land of amazing food, I haven’t found a very good replacement for my beloved Chinese chicken wings. So I decided it was time to tackle them again, but this time I approached them a little differently. First, I got myself a really good deep saute pan and a proper frying basket. Unlike a deep fryer, a saute pan is multi-purpose so it’s useful for more than just frying. Secondly, I went out on a limb and tried crisping the chicken up in the oven before frying. Remember my popular Crispy Baked Buffalo Drumsticks? It occurred to me that if I crisped the skin up that way, I could skip the double-frying method.
I. AM. BRILLIANT! Totally, totally worked and I am overjoyed. I’ve done it a few times now with wings, but they get devoured so quickly I never have a chance to take photos. I also thought it would make for a really great fried chicken recipe. Who needs breading anyway? No matter what kind of low carb “flour” you put on there, it falls to pieces the minute it hits the hot oil in a deep fry. But this method gives you gorgeously browned, perfectly crisp chicken skin every time. Let’s get naked!
Naked Fried Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ to ¼ teaspoon cayenne
- 3 lbs bone-in chicken pieces (thighs and drumsticks)
- 2 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 quarts frying oil (I used light olive oil)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
- Preheat the oven to 250F. Set a baking rack over a large rimmed baking sheet. Spray the rack with coconut oil spray.
- Pat the chicken VERY dry with paper towels. Place half of the chicken in a plastic bag and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of the baking powder. Shake vigorously to coat, then arrange the chicken on the baking rack. Repeat with remaining chicken and remaining baking powder. The chicken can be crowded onto the rack to make it fit.
- Bake the chicken in the lower half of the oven for 25 minutes. Increase the heat to 425F and place the rack in the upper half of the oven. Bake another 20 to 25 minutes, until the skin is crispy to the touch.
- Add the oil to a large 6 quart pan, so that it's at least 2 to 3 inches deep (or use a deep fryer, if you have one). Heat over medium high until the oil is at least 350F.
- Add half the chicken to the pot, skin side down, and quickly cover (it will spit and splatter like crazy!). If you have a frying basket that fits in the pot, that works really well to submerge the chicken. Let cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown. Scoop out the chicken with a slotted spoon (or lift the frying basket) and transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle with half the spice mixture and shake to coat each piece.
- Bring the oil back up to 350F and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Serve hot!
Notes
Total fat: 26.16g
Calories from fat: 235
Cholesterol: 181mg
Carbohydrate: 1.43g
Total dietary fiber: 0.13g
Protein: 33.34g
Sharla Lamken says
This is my go to recipe for fried chicken! It’s so delicious and no coating to fall off. Thanks so much for this recipe!
Estelle says
Wow, that was really nice and crispy, your spice mix was also very tasty and my whole family loved it!
Carolyn says
Glad to hear it!
Roy Everhart says
I used a rice blend oil because I still had it left over from last Thanksgiving. I also made a triple batch because if I’m going to make a mess, I make a mess. Lol. Well, I don’t know how this is Keto if I have to eat 4 thighs because it’s so damn delicious!? Lol. I was in a bliss moment as I devoured each and every piece. My rational mind told me not to eat the third and forth piece but I was in such a zen moment since starting Keto. Now I’m sure the next few days I can calmly enjoy a couple of pieces a meal, but tonight it was fresh. It was hot. It was calling my name, and LOUDLY!!! I want to thank you for making this recipe available. I also want to thank each of the chickens who lost their little lives so that I could go into the crazed feast that I just couldn’t tear myself away from. It also worked out because I made it the night before the trash guys come tomorrow so the kitchen won’t smell foul(fowl, Lol) after I go into my chicken coma later this evening. Believe me, if you’re recipes are like this, I’m going to order your books. I’m just worried about now gaining weight on Keto because it’s so dang delicious! My praise to you. The seasoning was a great mix and you didn’t skimp I thought maybe I was putting it on a little heavy but it was just so yummy and in fact I had a little left over. I’ve got an empty spice jar which will now be listed Carolyn’s chicken blend and I’ll always have it around. I just can’t say it enough. I’ve got lunch for the week and I can’t wait to make some one night when my family comes over for Game Night. I’m sure we will all have a red tinge to our fingers. I’m going to sign up to keep an eye on your site and be looking for your books before my said coma. Thank you again. It was so worth the little mess. Lol. And I’m sure each and every time I make it, it’ll be a triple batch.
Jamie says
YOU. ARE. BRILLIANT! I totally agree. I used the seasoning on some chicken wings and used the air crisp mode on Ninga Foodi. Hands down the best chicken wings we have had in a while.
I follow this blog almost daily now and also have purchased 3 of your cook books. My family loves your recipes.
Thank you for all that you do.
Carolyn says
Thanks so much, Jamie!
Melinda says
Hi there – I am loving your website! I have been looking for a fried chicken recipe and want to try yours.
Your recipe calls for 3lbs of chicken and serves 8. How many pieces would that be per person? Thanks.
Carolyn says
Depends on how big your pieces of chicken are. That’s usually one big thigh or two smaller drumsticks per person.
Julie says
I did what Jan W. Did and just baked and broiled. It teally didnt even need the broiler. My Dad cooks this way to chicken breast, yummy!
Jennifer Blake says
I made a wings recipe not that long ago that was oven ‘fried’. No frying / splashing necessary. I love the seasonings you used here and the different cuts of chicken. Will have to try this one next time!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
Fried chicken is a weakness! Can’t wait to try!
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
You really are brilliant girl! Delish!
Jennifer Farley says
Amazing! I am totally in love with this recipe!
Kathy says
Wow! Made this last night and it was fantastic! LOVED IT! My husband says I can make it every night. I do think I will reduce the salt, but the rest is perfect. Thank you for helping us find a low carb delicious chicken.
Now can you find me a good chocolate cake that isn’t dry?
Carolyn says
I have plenty of chocolate cake recipes and they aren’t dry.
Angie says
Have you tried the “frying” part in an airfryer instead of aoil frying? Not that I mid deep frying thigns, but I have an airfryer and its much less .. messy. wondering if this would crispen the same.
Carolyn says
I don’t own one.
Becky says
Did you try it? Did it work? I have an air fryer too, and would like to avoid the mess!
Traci VH says
I finished mine in our air fryer tonight and the family loved them! I ran them for about 10 mins at 350!
Justine Bassett says
Can you help? We used the baking soda and it made the chicken so bitter, it was inedible. I’m not a remotely picky eater and we had to throw out the whole batch.
Carolyn says
It’s supposed to be baking POWDER, not soda. So yes, that would be a huge issue.
Melanie says
Hello,
I’m new to the keto way of eating. So far so good. I’m trying to help my daughter slim down a bit and I’m confused on calculating the correct portions to eat. Sometimes I think we eat too much because she’s still hungry. What would be the correct portion of wings to eat? Do you eat a side with it? Im trying to meal prep. Thank you
Carolyn says
These aren’t wings. But I think usually 5 or 6 wings (not whole wings but wing parts) is considered a serving.
Melanie says
Thank you for responding. What sides are you eating with it? We eat brocolli or cauliflower mac n cheese.
Carolyn says
Both would be great. As it has basically no carbs, you can pair it with whatever you want.
Jan W. says
So. Made these tonight. First time I’ve ever made wings. Almost lost a limb trying to cut them. But. They were very enjoyable. I️ skipped the frying in oil part cause I️ didn’t think it was necessary. I did turn them after the 1st 25 minutes, seasoned them and baked another 25 minutes at the higher temp. Then I️ broiled them for a couple of minutes and they were done! So good. Thank you!!