Keto Chicken Strips

Since I was a little girl, my favorite thing to eat has been chicken; chicken nuggets, chicken strips, chicken burgers, chicken parmesan, etc. But I would only eat my chicken breaded! I don't know why, but I never liked grilled chicken. If it was grilled, I didn't eat it. It had to be breaded. (This is probably the main reason I had to resort to the keto diet! 😂)

Starting the keto diet was extremely difficult for me because I have always had that breading on pretty much everything. To lose it overnight was like losing a part of me, a part of who I am. It has always been there, and now it's gone just like that. I know this sounds crazy, but I'm being 100% honest here. A lot of diets fail because people cave into the things they've been eating for years, that we're a huge part of their lifestyle, like the breading was to mine. It was my lifestyle, and I made the choice to give it up. It's like giving up smoking or drinking. (I'm not proud to say this, but I used to be a smoker, so I know!)

I had to come up with a way to replace the breading and fulfill my cravings. I needed to do something quick before I gave into temptation. I almost sent my husband to pick up some Panda Express! I would have completely ruined my attempt at a keto diet and been horribly disappointed in myself. I can't fail. I have to push through these cravings and succeed! I have to keep in mind the main reason I'm doing this... For my health!

Again, I scrolled through recipe after recipe trying to find something to satisfy my cravings. I couldn't find anything that interested me. Then I had an idea. What if I look through my old recipes that I know and love, but change the ingredients to make them keto-approved? Then I found it, my favorite chicken strips recipe. Oh, how I missed that Italian flavor in that crunchy breading! Then, I brainstormed for a couple hours to come up with the perfect recipe! I cooked it that night, and everyone in my family, including myself, was surprised at how it turned out. Juicy, crunchy, flavorful, and hit the spot! It was exactly what I needed to eliminate that carb craving! I ate three chicken strips and veggies I prepared to go with it, and I was full! It was absolutely delicious! Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

3 skinless boneless chicken breasts

1 cup crushed pork rinds

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried basil

2 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 cup melted butter

Directions:

1. Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Cut chicken breasts into thin strips, about 3/4-inch thick.

3. Dip each strip in the melted butter, then into the dry breading mixture, coating the entire chicken strip.

4. Place coated chicken strips on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.

5. Bake in preheated oven at 400°F for 20 minites, or until chicken is cooked thoroughly.

6. Serve with veggies and a small side of ranch dressing!