Gluten-Free Keto Chicken Cutlets with Lemon & Parmesan
These crispy chicken cutlets are coated in a Parmesan-almond flour crust, pan-fried until golden, and finished with a zesty lemon kick. They’re completely gluten-free, keto-friendly, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a Mediterranean-inspired feast.
Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients
Chicken Cutlets:
4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 large egg
2 tbsp heavy cream
½ cup (50 g) almond flour
½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
3 tbsp olive oil (or avocado oil) for frying
Lemon Finish:
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Extra Parmesan, for garnish
Instructions
Prep chicken
Place chicken breasts between parchment and pound to ½-inch thickness. Pat dry with paper towels.
Set up breading station
In one bowl: whisk egg + cream.
In another: mix almond flour, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Coat chicken
Dip each cutlet in egg wash, then dredge in Parmesan-almond mixture, pressing to coat well.
Cook cutlets
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Pan-fry cutlets 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (internal temp: 165°F / 74°C).
Finish with lemon
Squeeze fresh lemon juice over chicken. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan.
Serve
Pair with zucchini noodles, roasted vegetables, or a fresh arugula salad.
Notes & Tips
Make it crispier: double-dip cutlets (egg → coating → egg → coating again).
Add heat: sprinkle red pepper flakes or cayenne in the coating.
Air fryer option: cook at 375°F (190°C) for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway.
Store leftovers in fridge up to 3 days — reheat in oven or air fryer to keep crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes — replace Parmesan with dairy-free nutritional yeast.
Q: Can I use chicken thighs instead?
Yes — boneless thighs work well; just adjust cooking time slightly longer.
Q: What oil is best for keto frying?
Olive oil, avocado oil, or ghee all work well.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~330 kcal
Protein: 36 g
Fat: 18 g
Carbohydrates: 4 g (net: 2 g)
Fiber: 2 g
Sodium: ~420 mg