Keto Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders

Nashville Hot Chicken is loved globally! It’s fried chicken with a major kick! The famous chicken is coated in a cayenne spice blend and drizzled with spicy oil. My low-carb version of this iconic spicy chicken is close to the real deal and doesn’t lack the flavor it’s known for.

Where did Nashville Hot Chicken come from?

Chances are you’ve seen the iconic Nashville Hot Chicken on a restaurant menu. It’s not only popular in Nashville but around the country. Its popularity has increased in recent years, and there’s a lot of chatter about where it originated.

Legend has it that Thornton Prince inspired the original Nashville Hot Chicken over 80 years ago. He was known to be handsome and quite the lady’s man. After a late night out, the frustrated woman waiting for him at home decided to make a “special” chicken for him. She doctored it up and made it EXTRA spicy. To her surprise, he loved his punishment!

He started sharing with his friends, opening up the BBQ Chicken Shack and serving his specialty, hot chicken. Along the way, the name was changed to what it’s known today, Prince’s Hot Chicken Shack and is run by Thornton’s great-niece André Prince Jefferies. Her family’s legendary signature dish is now a global sensation! They now have several locations around Nashville.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This great fried chicken recipe is for passionate lovers of spicy food! Nashville Hot Chicken is breaded in a spicy seasoning and drizzled with hot spicy oil. It is typically served on a piece of white bread and is topped with dill pickles.

My keto version is similar in crispy texture, but with all of the next level flavor this spicy fried chicken is known for! The low-carb breading is unique because it doesn’t have almond flour, parmesan cheese or pork rind crumbs. Instead, I use whey protein powder as the base. It’s so versatile to make. You can use your favorite keto bread to make a Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich. It makes a great appetizer or main dish!

Ingredients and Substitutions

Oil – Use high-quality oil with a high smoke point. I use avocado oil for most of my deep-frying, but you can use your favorite oil. 

Egg and heavy cream – This mixture binds the coating to the chicken.

Unflavored Whey Protein Isolate – This replaces regular flour for the breaking. I linked the brand I use in the printable recipe card. It’s zero carbs, and it’s my go-to.

Cayenne pepper, paprika and salt – This recipe has a lot of cayenne! You can cut back on it if you want less heat.

Dill pickles – They interrupt the spicy flavor of the chicken in a good way.

Spicy oil ingredients:

Hot oil – leftover oil from cooking the chicken tenders.

Brown Sugar Substitute – Brown sugar adds a nice sweet contrast to a large amount of cayenne pepper in the chicken.

Paprika, chili powder, garlic powder and salt – round out the seasoning blend.

Chicken – This recipe can be made with any chicken pieces you like. I use chicken tenders, but you can also use chicken breasts or thighs. Bone-in chicken and boneless chicken will both work.

How to make Keto Nashville Chicken Tenders

Gather your ingredients, and let’s get started!

Step 1

Attach the candy thermometer to a large dutch oven or heavy pot. Pour the oil in and set the pot on medium-high heat. Heat the oil to 350 degrees.

Step 2

While the oil is heating up, make the egg wash. Whisk egg and cream together in a shallow dish.

Step 3

Put the protein powder and seasonings in a large resealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and shake to mix up the spices. A container with a lid will also work.

Step 4

I like to use a small pair of tongs to make this step less messy! Dip both sides of a chicken tenderloin in the egg mixture allowing the excess to drip back into the bowl, then place tenders in the bag of breading mixture. Repeat with 2 or 3 more pieces. Seal the bag and gently shake to coat the chicken. Remove the coated pieces of chicken from the bag and set aside. Repeat until all of the chicken tenderloins are coated.

Step 5

Working in small batches, fry the chicken for 3-4 minutes, then use tongs to gently turn the tenders and cook for 3-4 more minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown on all sides. Transfer the chicken to a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining chicken tenderloins.  If you have a meat thermometer, insert it at the thickest part of the chicken strip and make sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees.

Step 6

To make spicy oil, carefully remove 1/2 cup of the hot cooking oil from the pot. Pour the oil into a small heatproof bowl. Add the brown sugar substitute, spices and salt and whisk until the oil and spices are well combined. Brush or drizzle the spicy oil mixture on both sides of the chicken strips.

Storage Instructions

Because of the whey protein powder breading, these chicken tenders are best served fresh and hot. Store the chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can reheat the tenders in the oven at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes. I don’t recommend freezing them.

Pro Tips

Tips for Deep Frying

Use a dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot to help maintain the temperature of the oil. It’s essential to maintain a consistent temperature when deep-frying. If the oil temperature is too low, the food will absorb the oil and become soggy instead of crispy. I use a candy thermometer to monitor and maintain a consistent temperature. Adding too much food to the oil at one time will lower the temperature too quickly. That’s why it’s important to fry food in batches so as not to overcrowd the pot. When you are frying in batches, ensure the oil has returned to the ideal temperature before adding the next batch of food.

Tips for Reusing Oil

You could use a fresh batch of oil every time, but high-quality oils are expensive. The oil used for frying can be reused as long as it’s stored properly. Allow the oil to cool completely. Then, use a fine-mesh strainer to strain the oil into a container with a lid; a glass jar works well. Store oil in a cool, dry place. It does not have to be refrigerated. If the oil looks cloudy or smells bad, it’s time to discard it.

Do not use an air fryer for this recipe!  The whey protein powder requires oil for the right results.

My Low Carb Crispy Onion Rings would go great with these Keto Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders!