This Cracklin’ Keto Chicken Thigh Recipe is tantalizingly crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside! It might just be the best chicken ever!!
Keto Chicken Thigh Recipe
When you’re on a keto or low carb diet, chicken is usually a staple on the menu. Not that it’s a bad thing, but how many ways can you cook chicken until you get bored?
One of my best friends and fellow food blogger Jennifer made this recipe for Keto Crackle Chicken and I couldn’t stop staring! I just HAD to share it with you guys!
Growing up, KFC was our go-to for football tailgating. I liked the extra-crispy because that seasoned, greasy, crispy skin is just the best right??
(PS- If you love KFC, you’ve got to try our Keto Copycat KFC Chicken Tenders too!)
This Keto Crackle Chicken has that same mouth-watering crispy skin, without all the carbs from breading. Actually, there are NO carbs in this recipe! That’s right, zero, zip, zilcha, nada!
Does it get any better than that??
Plus, since we cook our cracklin’ chicken in ghee, it has this amazing buttery flavor that you’ll find yourself craving again and again!
Perfect Pairing: Our Spicy Roasted Cauliflower tastes amazing with this crispy Keto Crackle Chicken!
What is Ghee?
Ghee is essentially pure butter fat — the good stuff that’s left behind after removing all of the milk solids and moisture.
Ghee is made by slowly simmering butter until the fat separates from the liquids and milk solids. Most of the liquid evaporates as the ghee cooks, and the milk solids are strained off at the end.
Since ghee is cooked “low and slow,” it ends up with this tantalizing caramelization that is much more flavorful than regular ‘ol butter! It’s been a part of Indian and Pakistani cuisine for thousands of years, but if you’re just now discovering ghee, you’re in for a treat!
If you’re lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy like me, ghee may be a better choice than butter. Since the milk solids are removed from ghee, it’s lactose free! (Butter doesn’t have a lot of lactose to begin with, but if you’re sensitive, none is better than some!)
BONUS: Since all the moisture has been removed, ghee is incredibly shelf-stable and can keep for up to a year in the fridge!
Why I Love This Recipe:
- Zero carbs!
- High protein
- Lots of fats needed to fuel ketosis
- Simple recipe with only 3 ingredients
You’ll Need:
For your convenience in re-creating our Keto Chicken Thigh Recipe recipe at home, we’ve included shop-able ad links to some of the products and supplies used. Read our disclosure policy here.
- Frying pan or cast iron skillet
- Rolling pin or meat tenderizer
- Chicken thighs
- Ghee
- Salt & pepper
The above is a quick glance at the ingredients and tools needed to make this delicious Keto Chicken Thigh Recipe. Full ingredient amounts are available in the printable recipe at the bottom of the post.
KETO FAQ – Learn More
- How many carbs can you eat on keto?
- Keto-friendly Food List
- What is the Keto flu and how to avoid it?
- What is a Targeted Keto Diet?
Prep Tips:
Both chicken breasts and thighs work for this recipe — we just love chicken thighs in our house! (Plus, thighs are often cheaper at the store!)
You can use either a meat tenderizer or rolling pin to flatten your chicken (be sure to remove bones first). We covered our chicken in parchment paper to prevent it from sticking to the rolling pin.
Afterwards you’re chicken should be about half as thick as before:
If you don’t have ghee ready on hand, you can use clarified butter or even regular butter to make this recipe. There may be subtle differences in the flavor from butter to butter, but it will still crisp up beautifully!
Related: Click here to see all of our favorite keto meal ideas!
Free Printable Copy of Our Keto Crackle Chicken Recipe:
If you like this recipe, rate it! We’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Cracklin' Keto Chicken Thigh Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken thighs (skin on)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3 Tablespoons ghee (or clarified butter)
Instructions
- Debone chicken thighs and place on a cutting board. Cover with a piece of wax or parchment paper.
- Using a rolling pin or meat tenderizer, flatten the chicken as thinly as possible.
- Season to taste.
- Add the ghee to a frying pan over medium heat.
- Once pan and ghee are hot, add flattened chicken things. Cook on each side 3-5 minutes until golden and cooked through (165°F).
Is the nutritional info for the 4 thighs or per 1?
The nutritional info is based on 4 servings, so it would probably be about 1 thigh. Hope this helps!