Carnivore Chicken Nuggets Recipe
The Carnivore Diet is an eating plan that focuses on the consumption of animal-based products, excluding all plant-based foods. As a result, creating a snack like chicken nuggets while adhering strictly to the Carnivore Diet involves carefully selecting only meat and animal-derived ingredients. This recipe makes use of ground chicken, shredded parmesan cheese, and crushed pork skin—all animal-based and compliant with the Carnivore Diet. These three simple ingredients come together to form crispy, juicy chicken nuggets that can be enjoyed as a protein-packed snack or a satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground chicken (or chicken breast/ thigh meat finely ground)
- 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (high-quality, full-fat)
- 1 cup crushed pork skin (can substitute with pork rind crumbs, if preferred)
Optional Seasonings (for those who follow a more lenient Carnivore diet):
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper (optional)
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Onion powder (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Preparing the Ground Chicken
Start by selecting your ground chicken. For a leaner option, ground chicken breast is a great choice, but if you’re looking for a juicier nugget, ground chicken thighs work well. If you’re using whole chicken breasts or thighs, you can grind them yourself using a food processor, or you can ask your butcher to grind the chicken for you.
Tips for Ground Chicken:
- Ensure the ground chicken is well-mixed and doesn’t have too many large chunks, as this can affect the texture of the final product.
- If the mixture seems too wet, you can add a little more pork rind crumbs to help bind it together.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the ground chicken with the shredded parmesan cheese. The parmesan will not only help to bind the nuggets together but also provide a rich, savory flavor.
Add the crushed pork skins to the bowl, which will serve as the breading or coating for the chicken nuggets. This will give your nuggets a crunchy, crispy exterior that mimics traditional breadcrumbs. If you prefer a more subtle flavor, you can crush the pork skins into smaller pieces for a finer crumb, or leave them a bit chunkier for a more substantial crunch.
Optional Seasonings:
- If desired, season the mixture with salt, pepper, and garlic or onion powder. These seasonings can enhance the flavor, but remember that Carnivore purists may avoid using plant-based seasonings.
Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly using your hands or a spoon, ensuring that the ground chicken is evenly distributed with the cheese and crushed pork skins.
Step 3: Form the Nuggets
Once the mixture is well combined, it’s time to shape your chicken nuggets. Use your hands or a spoon to take small portions of the chicken mixture and roll them into nugget shapes. You can form them into small balls, oval-shaped patties, or traditional nugget shapes—whatever works best for you.
Tips for Forming Nuggets:
- Keep the nuggets fairly uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
- If the mixture feels too sticky, wet your hands slightly with water or melted butter to make shaping easier.
You can make as many or as few as you like. If you want to make a batch to save for later, these nuggets freeze well!
Step 4: Cooking the Nuggets
Once your nuggets are shaped, it’s time to cook them. You have a couple of cooking options for this recipe:
- Pan-frying: This is the most common method to achieve a crispy, golden brown crust.
- Heat a skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add a generous amount of animal fat (like lard, beef tallow, or butter) to coat the bottom of the pan.
- Once the fat is hot, carefully place the nuggets in the pan. Make sure not to overcrowd them to allow proper crisping.
- Cook each side for about 4-5 minutes, or until the nugget is golden brown and cooked through. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached 165°F internally.
- Baking: Baking is another great option if you prefer a hands-off method and want to cook a larger batch of nuggets.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the shaped nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a baking rack.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the nuggets are golden and cooked through.
Tips for Cooking:
- To get an extra crispy finish, you can broil the nuggets for 1-2 minutes at the end of the cooking process.
- If you’re pan-frying, remember to keep the heat at medium to prevent burning the outside before the inside is cooked.
Step 5: Serving the Nuggets
Once cooked, remove the nuggets from the pan or oven and let them rest for a couple of minutes to cool slightly. These chicken nuggets can be served as-is, but if you want to add a little extra flavor, you can dip them into sour cream or cream cheese (if dairy is allowed on your version of the Carnivore Diet).
Optional Dips (for those following a more lenient version of Carnivore):
- Sour cream
- Cream cheese
- Carnivore-friendly ranch dressing (without plant-based ingredients)
Benefits of Carnivore Chicken Nuggets
High in Protein: Chicken is a lean protein source, which helps build and repair muscles, boost metabolism, and promote satiety.
Rich in Healthy Fats: The addition of pork skin and cheese not only adds flavor but also provides healthy fats. This is beneficial for those following a high-fat Carnivore diet.
Low in Carbs: These nuggets contain no carbohydrates from plant-based ingredients, making them a perfect choice for those seeking to maintain a zero-carb or very low-carb lifestyle.
Versatile: You can tweak this recipe by adding different meats or cheeses, depending on your preference. For instance, swapping in turkey or ground lamb, or even using different types of cheese like cheddar or gouda, can bring new flavors to your dish.
Variations of Carnivore Chicken Nuggets
- Turkey Nuggets: Instead of ground chicken, try using ground turkey for a leaner alternative. Ground turkey can be slightly drier, so adding extra fat like butter or egg yolks can help retain moisture.
- Beef or Pork Nuggets: For a richer, more savory flavor, try using ground beef or ground pork. The addition of pork skins and cheese will pair beautifully with these meats, adding both flavor and texture.
- Cheese Variations: While parmesan is used in this recipe, you can experiment with different cheeses like cheddar, gouda, or mozzarella for a variety of flavors.
Meal Ideas and Pairings
These chicken nuggets can be paired with several Carnivore-friendly sides for a complete meal. Here are some ideas:
- Crispy Pork Belly: Serve your chicken nuggets alongside crispy pork belly or bacon for a rich, indulgent meal.
- Eggs: A side of scrambled or fried eggs can help round out the meal and add extra fat and protein.
- Bone Broth: Serve with a cup of warm, homemade bone broth to provide collagen, minerals, and added nutrients.
Storage and Freezing Tips
If you’ve made a large batch of these chicken nuggets, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze them for later use, arrange the nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze them until firm. Then, transfer them to a sealed container or zip-top bag, where they can be stored for up to 3 months.
Reheating: To reheat, bake or pan-fry the nuggets for 5-7 minutes until hot and crispy.
Final Thoughts
These Carnivore Chicken Nuggets offer an easy, protein-packed, and satisfying meal or snack that is fully compliant with the Carnivore Diet. They’re delicious, filling, and incredibly versatile. Whether you stick to the basic recipe or experiment with different meats and cheeses, you’ll have a snack that will leave you feeling full and fueled, all while sticking to animal-based ingredients. This recipe is ideal for those who want to simplify their cooking while still enjoying a satisfying, flavorful meal.