Low Carb Keto Cottage Cheese Chicken Nuggets Recipe
These easy keto cottage cheese chicken nuggets are quickly made in under 15 minutes and taste like fast food chicken nuggets that even picky eaters will love! Less than 2 g net carbs per serving!
Easy Keto Low Carb Chicken Nuggets
If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’ve made my fair share of low-carb, keto-friendly chicken nugget recipes—some with cream cheese, some with cheddar, some with mozzarella cheese, some baked, some air fried.
But these new Cottage Cheese Chicken Nuggets? Hands down, they are the best batch I’ve ever made.
My daughter even said: “Mom, these are even better than your cream cheese nuggets. They’re moister, juicier, and taste like real nuggets!”
That’s a win in my book.
These high protein chicken nuggets have 32 grams of protein per 4! All nutrition data is on the printable recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Why Cottage Cheese Makes These Nuggets Exceptional
So what’s the secret to these easy keto chicken nuggets that got a thumbs up from my picky daughter who’s not on a keto diet? It’s the cottage cheese!
No food processor needed either!
Juicy and tender: Cottage cheese keeps the ground chicken from drying out, which can easily happen in chicken nugget recipes.
Protein boost: Cottage cheese is naturally high in protein but lower in fat than cream cheese, so these nuggets fit perfectly into my Midlife Macro Method™ for high-protein, moderate-fat meals.
Better texture: Once drained and blended, cottage cheese gives just the right amount of creaminess to hold everything together without being heavy or greasy.
Keto-friendly crunch: Instead of breadcrumbs, I used pork rinds panko both inside the mix and as the crispy coating. It’s carb-free and gives that golden brown nugget bite everyone loves.
No almond flour or coconut flour needed!
Recipe Variations
Skip the Cottage Cheese:
If you’re not into cottage cheese, swap it for cream cheese or Greek yogurt, but keep in mind it changes the texture a bit.
Spicy Kick:
Add chili powder or cayenne pepper to the mix for a bolder, spicy nugget experience.
Add Herbs:
Fresh or dried herbs like parsley, dill, or chives can add a fresh pop of flavor right into the mix.
Quick and Easy Cooking Method
I tested these keto chicken nuggets recipe in the air fryer, and honestly, I don’t think I’ll ever make them any other way again.
- Air fry at 400°F for 5 minutes, flip, then cook another 5 minutes.
- Perfectly golden on the outside, tender and moist inside.
Of course, you can also bake them in the oven or pan-fry if you prefer, but the air fryer gave me that fast-food nugget vibe with zero mess. Full instructions are all methods are below in the recipe card.
Meal Prep & Freezer Friendly
Another reason this keto nuggets recipe is going to the top of my list? It’s incredibly meal-prep friendly.
- Freeze unbaked nuggets: Shape, coat, and freeze on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag. Cook straight from frozen, just adding a few extra minutes.
- Freeze after baking: Bake or air fry, let them cool completely, then freeze. Reheat in the air fryer or oven for a quick, protein-packed meal anytime.
Either way, you can make a double batch and always have healthy, kid-approved nuggets ready to go.
Freezing & Storing Leftovers
Freezing:
Cool the cooked nuggets completely, then store them in a single layer on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen using the oven or air fryer.
Storing:
Keep leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, use the oven to keep them crispy or the microwave for convenience.
How To Reheat
Oven Method
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place nuggets on a baking sheet, loosely cover with foil to avoid drying out, and bake in preheated oven for 10-12 minutes until heated through and crispy.
Microwave Method
Place nuggets on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes. This is quick but might soften the coating a bit.
Air Fryer Method
Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Heat nuggets for 5-7 minutes, shaking halfway through. This keeps the coating crispy while warming the inside nicely.
Stovetop Method
Warm a skillet over medium heat with a little oil. Cook nuggets for 3-4 minutes per side until heated through and crisp. Cover with a lid if they need a little extra warming on the inside.
Midlife Macro Method™ Approved
That means you can enjoy these homemade chicken nuggets guilt-free on a calorie deficit day, or pair them with avocado or a creamy dip on a maintenance day.
Either way, they fit right into my Midlife Macro Method™ approach. I’d recommend doubling the serving amount for a high protein meal!
Favorite Dipping Sauces
Primal Kitchen Honey mustard is perfect for MMM deficit days.
Homemade Ranch Dressing is great for MMM maintenance days.
What you see here in my pictures is the recipe for Ali Miller’s Turmeric Honey Mustard from Naturally Nourished Kids .
Can I use canned chicken instead?
You could but they make not be as moist and juicy as with using ground chicken.
Can I use a rotisserie chicken?
Again as with the canned chicken, already cooked chicken will yield a drier chicken nugget so fresh ground chicken is best in my opinion.
Can I use chicken breast pieces instead of ground?
Yes, as long as it’s fresh, uncooked I think it will be as equally moist if you can’t find ground chicken. Just use your food processor to grind the meat.
Can I use this recipe for other meats?
Totally. Try it with turkey or even pork tenderloin cut into bite-sized pieces for a twist on the classic nuggets.
Is cottage cheese the only way to keep these nuggets moist?
It gives great moisture, but you can experiment with Greek yogurt or even mashed avocado for different textures.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Not really with cottage cheese as a main ingredient, but you could try a dairy-free cream cheese if you’re up for some experimenting.
How should I store leftover uncooked nuggets?
Keep them in a sealed container in the fridge and cook within 24 hours for best texture and safety.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
Whether you’re making these for your kids, meal prepping for yourself, or looking for a new high-protein, keto-friendly recipe to add to your rotation, these Cottage Cheese Chicken Nuggets check every box: easy, delicious, nutritious, and freezer-friendly.
Honestly, I didn’t think I’d beat my cream cheese nugget recipe—but cottage cheese proved me wrong. This one’s here to stay!
Low Carb Keto Cottage Cheese Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chicken or see FAQs above
- 1/2 cup full fat cottage cheese or see FAQs above
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1/2 cup pork rind panko
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Coating
- 1 cup pork rind panko
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Place the ground chicken in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Place the cottage cheese in a fine mesh strainer to drain or use a cheesecloth and allow to sit for about 5 minutes to remove excess liquids.
- While the cottage cheese is sitting, place all the remaining ingredients into the large bowl with the ground chicken and stir to combine. Stir in the cottage cheese.
- Using a large cookie scoop, about 1.5 tablespoons, scoop mixture and place onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Shape into a nugget and flatten slightly.
- Mix together the coating ingredients in a shallow bowl and roll each nugget in seasoned pork rind panko, pressing gently to adhere.
Air Fry Method
- If you don't have an extra large air fryer basket, place half of the nuggets in the basket and refrigerate the rest or freeze. Air fry at 400 degrees F. for 10 minutes, flipping over half way through.
Oven Method
- Place nuggets in an even layer onto a greased baking sheet pan or use parchment paper. Bake in a preheated 425 degrees F oven for 15-20 minutes.
Stove Top Method
- Pan fry over medium heat in a large skillet using bacon fat or avocado oil, olive oil, coconut oil or oil of choice for 3-4 minutes per side.Cooking until internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
- Keep leftover nuggets in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
Hi Brenda,
I have whipped cottage cheese and it is 1%, do you think this would work? I love chicken nuggets. Thank you and have a great day!
Michele