These 15 Flavorful Recipes Make Chicken Breast a Keto-Friendly Food (2024)

Indian-Inspired Butter Chicken

The name of this recipe (ahem, butter chicken!) just says keto, don't you agree? Richer chicken thighs paired with butter and heavy cream pump up the fat, keep carbs low, and still deliver some satisfying protein. Skip the rice that's pictured to keep it keto-friendly.

Pan-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Thai Coconut Sauce

Chicken thighs (with the skin on) are perfect for when you're on the ketogenic diet. The meat is a little richer and fattier than breast meat, plus keeping the skin on ups the fat count. In this keto chicken recipe, 70% of the calories come from fat, and there are a mere 3 grams of net carbs thanks to mushrooms and green onions serving as the veggie portion of the keto chicken dinner.

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Chicken in Avocado-Buttermilk Marinade

Thanks to avocado, buttermilk, and the chicken skin, this keto chicken thigh recipe delivers more fat than protein and only 5 net carbs. (You can calculate net carbs by subtracting the grams of fiber from the grams of carbohydrates.) If you follow a version of the keto diet that doesn't allow buttermilk, substitute a sour milk made from 1 cup milk or coconut milk and 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar.

Chicken with Pan Sauce

This keto-friendly chicken breast dinner recipe is sure to become a favorite. Ready in just 35 minutes, it's super low in carbs (just 2 grams), and is ample in fat with moderate amounts of protein. Keep in mind the additional pan sauce variations listed in the recipe will add carbs so only add those if your diet allows.

Pickle-Brined Chicken

This is hands down one of our favorite keto chicken thigh recipes. Using pickle juice to brine chicken thighs (that's right, don't dump that empty jar of pickles, put the juice to work) makes them that much more succulent. Although you coat the chicken thighs in a touch of flour, this recipe is still low-carb, clocking in at just 5 grams. Don't get overzealous with the fat drippings: stick to using just 1 Tbsp. or your sauce could end up too oily.

Chicken Picatta

This easy recipe has over 45,000 ratings! It's bound to become a weeknight favorite. Better yet, it's ready in just 25 minutes for a quick keto-friendly dinner.

Chicken and Asparagus Skillet Supper

This keto-friendly chicken recipe is equally flavor-packed and hearty thanks to the bacon and low-carb veggies that accompany juicy chicken thighs. It's also a quick dinner recipe—clocking in at just 20 minutes.

Grilled Feta-Brined Chicken

With only 2 grams of carbohydrates per serving, these grilled chicken thighs are one of our lowest carb keto chicken thigh recipes. For a little extra fat, use skin-on chicken thighs instead of skinless. A generous drizzle of olive oil adds fat grams too. Serve with a simple side salad of non-starchy veggies to round out the meal.

Chicken, Tomato, and Cucumber Salad

You might think that a keto chicken salad is nearly impossible, but we make the impossible possible with this quick and easy dinner. It also doubles as a tasty lunch. The recipe calls for chicken breasts, healthy fats via olives and olive oil, and lower-carb veggies like cucumber.

Lemon Butter Chicken Breasts

This keto butter chicken dinner recipe is easy-peasy. Dredge the chicken in seasonings and a little flour (which you could omit to shave a few more carbs), cook it in a buttery sauce, then add lemon. You have dinner for six in 30 minutes.

Harissa-Spiced Chicken

Add this dish to your collection of must-make keto baked chicken recipes. It is packed full of flavor (and a little bit of heat) courtesy of harissa and other key spices. The higher fat count and moderate amount of protein are what make it so perfect for keto. Pair the thighs with a low-carb veggie like cauliflower to round out your meal while keeping carbs in check.

Chicken in Peanut Sauce (Pollo Encacahuatado)

The combination of chicken thighs and peanuts, which are fairly low in carbs and have a nice amount of fat, really makes this recipe ideal for a keto diet. As long as you skip the optional rice, your carb count clocks in at 8 net grams. And there's more fat than protein in this recipe, so you should have no trouble staying in ketosis.

Grilled Chicken Thighs with Spring Onions and Baby Bok Choy

If you are eating keto and have any plans to entertain, this chicken dinner should be your go-to. Grilled onions and bok choy, egg relish, and crispy chicken thighs make for a stunning platter, ideal for any low-carb or keto dieter.

Ham and Asparagus Stuffed Chicken

Think of this as the lower-carb, keto-friendly cousin to Chicken Cordon Bleu. We skipped the breaded exterior and cheese stuffing to save on carbs and instead added low-carb asparagus for crunch, color, and flavor.

Spiced Chicken Thighs and Bean Salad

Pairing keto chicken thighs with lower-carb beans, rich and creamy avocado, and salty blue cheese makes for a delicious all-in-one meal. All that fiber (7 grams) pulls your net carb number down to 8 (out of your day's worth of 15 grams). Look for a bottled salad dressing low in carbs and, preferably, without any added sugar.