These keto chicken thigh recipes are anything but basic!
Each one is juicy, tender, and packed with flavor. They’re all keto-friendly, too.
Adhering to the keto diet means high-protein, high-fat, and low-carb foods. So chicken thighs are a no-brainer.
They’re budget-friendly, easy to make, and diet approved.
Let’s face it, though. Eating the same chicken dinner week after week gets old.
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. I rounded up over two weeks’ worth of keto chicken thigh recipes.
There are quick dinner options, cookout musts, and plenty more. So pick out your favorite and let’s eat!
1. Keto Cheddar Ranch Chicken Thighs
How do you get crispy breaded chicken thighs on the keto diet? Use pork rinds!
It’s such a brilliant idea that reduces the carbs and refined flour.
Coat the thighs in the ranch sour cream mixture, then press them into the rinds.
The creamy cheesy mixture helps them stick and adds a ton of flavor.
Be sure to cook these in an oven-proof skillet like cast iron. You need to transfer the thighs to the broiler so they get extra crisp.
2. Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Whether you’re eating keto or reducing carbs, these fajitas are a must.
It’s that dish that always wins when you can’t decide on dinner. It’s also one that you find yourself yearning for all day.
The combo of chicken, peppers, and onions is a fajita classic.
Use a store-bought fajita seasoning to cut down on the work. Or get creative with your spice cabinet and toss one together.
When serving, keep it keto-friendly by opting for a low-carb tortilla or cauliflower rice side.
3. Creamy Chicken and Cauliflower
In a word, this dish is crave-worthy. Each component enhances the next to create a mouthwatering skillet of comfort food.
The juicy thighs, bacon, cauliflower, and spinach meld together in a rich garlic cream sauce.
And yes, there’s parmesan cheese in there, too.
With all that goodness, you won’t even miss the carbs.
Speaking of which, this dish has a total of 5 grams of net carbs.
4. Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs
If you want the juiciest, most succulent chicken thighs, then turn on the oven.
I have a whole post about how long to bake chicken thighs at 350. But really, the trick is to bake them with the skin.
You rub bone-in chicken thighs with a piquant spice blend similar to blackening. Meanwhile, the oven takes care of the rest.
It’s such an easy way to prepare chicken. Not only that, but it goes with a bunch of keto sides.
5. Keto Chicken Thighs with Creamed Spinach
When you find a decadent dish this easy, you know you’ve struck gold.
This is especially true when you find something diet-friendly.
There are no uncommon ingredients or a dizzying amount of steps.
You cook the chicken, make the sauce, and combine everything.
I know you want to know more about the sauce, so I’ll cave. It has cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, parmesan, and Rotel.
6. Keto Greek Chicken Skillet
Many keto dishes have a ton of bacon or cream. And rightfully so, it’s a high-fat diet.
But when you want something a little more fresh, go Greek.
Merging the ketogenic diet with the Mediterranean diet, it’s the best of both worlds.
There’s big meaty bone-in chicken, artichoke hearts, cauliflower rice, olives, and more.
It’s lemony, dairy-free, gluten-free, and best of all, yummy.
7. Creamy Paprika Chicken Thighs
Here’s a chicken dish you can make for weeknights and special occasions alike.
It’s savory, creamy, smokey, and surprisingly simple.
Smoked paprika adds a punch of flavor. Add white wine to the cream sauce to balance out the richness.
Use skinless chicken and make sure to pat it dry. That’s what helps give it a crispier texture.
Ready in 30 minutes, the whole dish only requires 10 ingredients.
8. Keto Chicken Thighs with Lemon
Perk up your chicken thighs with a twist of lemon.
Zippy and wholesome, this recipe gives keto-friendly chicken a fresh spin.
Charring the lemons concentrates the flavor. It also looks impressive.
Rather than drown the chicken in sauce, add canned tomatoes. It keeps costs low and adds more flavor.
9. Keto Chicken Caesar Thighs
The best parts about a chicken Caesar salad are the dressing and the chicken.
So why not cut out the middleman and ditch the greens?
This six-ingredient dish has the flavor you crave. And, it’s high-protein.
Use Caesar dressing to make a creamy mixture, then coat the chicken. Next, dab the bone-in thighs in pork rinds and bake.
It takes little effort on your part and costs you 3 grams of net carbs.
10. Grilled Keto Chicken Thighs
Need a keto-friendly meal you can enjoy around the grill? The answer is simple, make grilled chicken thighs.
Between the marinade and the char, these chicken thighs are mouthwatering.
With each bite, you get smokey succulent meat with a touch of heat. That’s thanks to Frank’s Red Hot Sauce.
When your friends see this chicken, they will happily join in on the keto journey.
11. Keto Creamy Tuscan Chicken
A creamy Tuscan-style pasta might be out of the equation. But this chicken isn’t!
Fresh ingredients, creamy sauce, and boneless chicken come together in this tantalizing dish.
Garnish it with a handful of basil and freshly-shaved Parmesan cheese.
There’s no need to thicken the sauce with flour. Heavy cream creates the best consistency.
12. Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thighs
Spice things up with this vivacious dish!
It’s one of the best chicken thigh recipes to spruce up a mundane routine.
The sweet and spicy components are very well-balanced. So it’s not too fiery.
Honey itself is not very keto-friendly. So use the low-carb sweetener option.
Oh, and don’t forget the lime!
13. Creamy Mustard Chicken
Have you ever noticed how good Dijon is with chicken? More importantly, have you tried the two together in this dish?
It’s my newest obsession.
Whole30, paleo, keto, dairy-free, gluten-free, and low-carb, it adheres to all sorts of diets.
But how can that be so when it’s so creamy? The secret is coconut cream.
All that and it takes only 30 minutes to make.
14. Fiery Keto Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
Tired of mediocre chicken dinners that don’t have much flavor? Then you need murgh makhani.
This bold and rich Indian dish comes with a fiery kick.
The gravy and the masala both have a long list of spices. So it doesn’t skimp on flavor.
What makes it spicy are the whole peppers, cayenne, and heaping of warming spices.
Even if you need to dial back on the heat, it still tastes great.
15. Braised Chicken & Mushrooms
Here’s a romantic dinner idea for dining at home on a cold night.
It balances fine dining with comfort food to create one delectable skillet.
The chicken thighs first get browned. Then they bathe in a lavish umami sauce rich in butter, bouillon, and garlic.
With the help of bay leaves, mushrooms, and flavorings, it’s exquisite. And yes, it’s keto-friendly.
16. Keto Fried Chicken
Do you know what’s great about the keto diet? You don’t have to give up fried chicken!
This mouthwatering soul food is finger-licking good.
Pork rinds give it the most toothsome texture. While it’s the quick-fry and baking session that keeps the meat juicy.
Keto or not, you need to get in on this chicken while it’s hot.
17. Keto Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Smell that, that’s Jamaican jerk chicken cooking on the grill!
I can’t even begin to describe how tantalizing this chicken is. The marinade is full of spices, garlic, rum, and three habaneros.
Ingredients like that mean business. They also mean you’re in for a mouthful of flavor.
Coupled with the char from the grill, this chicken is sensational.
17 Best Keto Chicken Thigh Recipes (Quick & Easy)
Live the low-carb lifestyle with these keto chicken recipes! Enjoy fajitas, skillet meals, and fried chicken with these tempting dishes.
Ingredients
Keto Cheddar Ranch Chicken Thighs
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Creamy Chicken and Cauliflower
Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs
Keto Chicken Thighs with Creamed Spinach
Keto Greek Chicken Skillet
Creamy Paprika Chicken Thighs
Keto Chicken Thighs with Lemon
Keto Chicken Caesar Thighs
Grilled Keto Chicken Thighs
Keto Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Spicy Honey Lime Chicken Thighs
Creamy Mustard Chicken
Fiery Keto Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani)
Braised Chicken & Mushrooms
Keto Fried Chicken
Keto Jamaican Jerk Chicken
Instructions
- Select your favorite recipe.
- Organize all the required ingredients.
- Prep a chicken thigh recipe in 30 minutes or less!
