This Keto Cheesy Ranch Popcorn Chicken is not only easy to make, it’s also picky kid (and husband) approved! Get this quick and delicious low carb dinner on the table with a minimum of fuss and lots of rave reviews!!!
Life is busy, especially when you’ve got a job and a family to care for, so like most of you I’m constantly on the hunt for ways to make dinner that also save time, because seriously – who has extra time lying around to use whatever way we want?
Not this chick.
One of the ways I think we can spend more time with our kids especially is by including them in the cooking process at dinnertime.
You’re already spending time preparing dinner, and when you include the rest of the family it makes extra use of that time to chat about your day and how they are feeling, with the added bonus of teaching them a valuable life skill (which seems to be super rare these days BTW, but don’t even get me started because that is a rant for another time).
Obviously when you’re cooking with the kiddos the recipe needs to be quick and easy. Also you want it to be healthy, but still something they are invested in and looking forward to eating when it’s finished.
Since Hungry Jr. loves popcorn chicken, I chose to make this Ranch flavored chicken in bite sized form.
Can I just say that this keto Cheesy Ranch Popcorn Chicken recipe was not only incredibly easy, but also tasted amazing? I mean I know anything Ranch flavored is going to be good, but after the first bite I was like “WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?!”
Crunchy, Salty, Herby, Ranchy, Cheesy, Tender PERFECTION. But I knew it could be even better with a sauce (because everything is.)
Hungry Jr. likes honey mustard sauce so I made him some, but I wanted the same sweet tang for the rest of us without the carbs. I thought “why not use a sugar free maple flavored syrup in place of the honey?” – and this low carb Maple Dijon sauce was born literally seconds later.
I won’t go on and on about it other than to say that I could write an entire post around this delicious keto Maple Mustard dipping sauce alone! It perfectly complemented the savory Ranch flavored popcorn chicken – and pretty much any other Ranch-flavored item you’d like to dip!
Once you try it you’ll know what I mean.
Cheesy Ranch Popcorn Chicken – Keto
This quick and easy low carb Cheesy Ranch Popcorn Chicken recipe is a delicious and healthy way to get your family together! Keto and Atkins friendly.
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Low Carb Chicken Dinner
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 2 lbs chicken tenderloins (or breast) cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
- 1 packet Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix (or 2 Tbsp homemade Ranch Seasoning)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
For the dipping sauce:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup sugar free maple flavored pancake syrup
Instructions
To make the chicken:
- Combine the almond flour, cheese, and Ranch Seasoning Mix in a medium bowl.
- Combine the mayonnaise, mustard, and chicken pieces in another medium bowl – stir well.
- Dip the mayo coated chicken pieces in the seasoning mixture and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Bake the chicken at 400 degrees (F) for 15 – 18 minutes (depending on size of pieces) until golden brown and cooked through.
For the dipping sauce:
- Combine the ingredients and whisk until smooth. Adjust for your preference by adding a little more mustard or a little more syrup if necessary.
Notes
Approximate nutrition information per serving:
1 serving (5 oz) chicken: 351 calories, 20g fat, 4g net carbs, 40g protein
2 Tbsp sauce: 110 calories, 12g fat, 0g net carbs, 0g protein
This Summer we are trying to spend less time in the kitchen and more time as a family enjoying evenings together by the lake – fishing, sitting by the fire, and just chatting about whatever.
I’m happy to say that tonight’s Cheesy Ranch Popcorn Chicken was a great success, and we followed it up outside with lots of laughing and silliness – which is the best part about spending time with family isn’t it?
Once the snow flies we’ll still be having regular family nights together, but we’ll probably move on to playing cards and board games (any Parcheesi peeps out there??) inside until the weather is more conducive to outside time again!
Except for the occasional foray outdoors to make snowmen of course – we missed that while we were living in South Carolina!
I can tell you with the utmost confidence though that no matter what our family night activities are, this easy low carb ranch popcorn chicken recipe will be featured on the regular!
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We love these Cheesy Popcorn Chicken Bites: https://www.ibreatheimhungry.com/cheesy-ranch-popcorn-chicken-low-carb-gluten-free/
I do sub my homemade ranch seasoning.
I am so happy to finally find a meal both of my kids enjoy and the fact that it’s low carb makes me even happier! Thank you so much! I’m making it again tonight!
★★★★★
What did you seeve with these bites(if anything)? Thanks
I made this tonight and we all loved it (kids 9 & 11). I did end up having to make twice the amount of breading mixture. I tossed a few pieces at a time in the mixture and shook off the extra, but still ran out after only a pound of chicken. I also had to cook it for 20-22 minutes at 400 degrees, then under the broiler for about 3 minutes. The broiler really helped to crisp them up – after baking they were still a little soggy. So after all that, they turned out so well. My extremely picky kids ate them all up!
★★★★
So so good! So delicious and hubby approved!
OMG!!! The popcorn chicken is AMAZING! I used my homemade mayo, and since I didn’t have any “ranch” packets, I used some chicken broth (herbs) healthy flavoring I had at home. I also used extra parmesan cheese. Super fast, easy to make and delicious.
Can’t wait to try the popcorn! Who’d have thunk it?? We love Hidden Valley for so many recipes. Popcorn it is! Peace.
★★★★★
A few people were commenting on the MSG, as a popcorn lover, I make my own popcorn seasoning, been tweaking it for years but the secret is salt Parmigiano-Reggiano nutritional yeast flakes and I have a few other things I use them there some crazy Ethiopian spices and then you have to grind them in a spice grinder I cook my popcorn in coconut oil and then whoever I’m watching a movie with gets to shake the bowl while I slowly drizzle homemade butter from local cream over it then we put the spice mix and Shake which perfectly coats butter Laden popcorn, nutritional yeast flakes have a very cheese like flavor, but need to be ground up to distribute their flavor well
Do you know what the sugar content is? Looks delicious!
★★★★★
Hey there! Just wanted to say I LOVE this recipe. I’ve tried several of your recipes over the past four weeks. This website has kept me from getting sick of my low carb diet and has helped me lose almost 20 pounds in under a month! Thank you so much for the creative and simple recipes that have made this diet very enjoyable.
I wanted to ask if you’d ever tried frying these. I haven’t worked much with almond flour before so I don’t know how well it will work but I’d like to give it a shot in the hopes of crisping up the batter a little more.
Thanks again,
Dyl
★★★★
What sugar free maple flavored pancake syrup do you use?
I was disappointed…not really crispy?! More like a mushy coating on the outside…any tips
My experience as well! The next time I make it, I’m going to substitute crushed pork rinds for part of the almond flour and increase the temp. Alternatively, maybe we could deep fry? I’m not sure if the breading would survive the deep fry process, though.
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/peg42/status/682343706117181440
Thanks again.
I really enjoy when we either has a family movie or game night. Thanks so much.
My idea of a perfect family night is a good meal followed by a movie or a game.
https://twitter.com/ThatTuxedoCat/status/682284336654217216
Tweet – https://twitter.com/willitara/status/681624460365934592
I no longer have family at home so when we get together it’s usually for a holiday or other special occasion. We like to watch football together and cheer on the home team. Snacks are mandatory of course.
Our favorite family night is cooking together and sharing our day with one another.
★★★★
https://twitter.com/prizepuzzle/status/681290963063422976
My perfect family night would involve eating a meal together. Maybe checking out a new restaurant so we can all share this new experience together.
Tweeted https://twitter.com/JalapenoMama/status/680970264704729089
My perfect family night is when we plan cook and clean up dinner together.
After we dance like crazy with Just Dance!
thank you
Family night is hanging out together with a board game or movie with the fire popping & munching on some great snacks. Can’t wait to try the Hidden Valley seasoned popcorn!
watching movies with hidden valley ranch popcorn (we already do this)
https://twitter.com/mijames82/status/680733860733317120
Any night I am not working and home with my 5 kids is perfect for me. Being a single dad raising them all alone, we all enjoy our time together And having a quick macaroni salad with ham, cheese, mayo, ranch and a bit more my kids love.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/680635520234438656
I like getting pizza and watching movies with my family.
i posted a tweet here:
https://twitter.com/purplepanda1966/status/679873337963642880
a perfect family night includes watching a movie and a variety of snacks or appetizers
#SweepstakesEntry – comment
definitely enjoying a quick, easy tasty meal (such as your recipe) with family, no electronic devices and some good conversation & easy clean up- that’s a perfect family night
Kathryn C
#SweepstakesEntry – tweet:
https://twitter.com/thrincor/status/679798903567446017
Kathryn C
Eating a good, healthy dinner together and sitting by the TV watching movies together
https://mobile.twitter.com/kytah00/status/678987087778025474
https://twitter.com/purplelover04/status/679783824738377728
games and fun and pizza
I tweeted here: https://twitter.com/MsTofuFairy/status/679729669818695680
A perfect family night is myself, my partner, and our three cats all snuggled up in bed watching a movie on Netflix. I am simple. hahaha!
https://twitter.com/ChelleB36/status/679704552195645442
When we play board games and then end the night with smores over the fire pit
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I like to cook a family dinner and then have a movie and game night.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/679538480821608449
A nice meal and then snuggling up for a movie or playing games is my idea of a great family night.
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/my4boysand1/status/679522110180556800
★★★★★
My perfect family night would be a great meal such as grilled chicken with Pico de Galloand rice with a broccoli then a great board game or cards!
★★★★★
Our family night consists of snacks and a family movie.
https://twitter.com/sweetums82/status/679479297439076352
baking cookies and watching movies
tweeted: https://twitter.com/KerryBishop/status/679438598337404928
I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: https://twitter.com/versatileer/status/679401435197403139
My idea of the perfect family night is to have a quaint dinner with a great recipe of Chicken with a salad using cheese and Hidden Valley dressing.
★★★★★
Tweet: https://twitter.com/PrettyHotPink6/status/679396088910974977
The perfect family night is spent playing games, watching a movie together, eating at the table together as a family and enjoying one another’s company.
https://twitter.com/eliza_elliott/status/679037748481687552
I want to try this recipe it looks delicious! I usually add it to a pasta salad.
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/pixel_berry_pie/status/679081655714222080
Right now we’re binging on Christmas movies. We’re wanting to try a new recipe that flavors saltine crackers with Hidden Valley ranch flavoring!
https://twitter.com/kytah00/status/678987087778025474
I PLAN ON TRYING SOME NEW HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH RECIPES!
A perfect family night is sitting outside and playing badmitten as a gang or swimming in the pool and having some good snacks. In the winter, our perfect family night we kids would put on skits for my parents and aunts if they were there, and little plays or sing or put on a little show – and we’d have good snacks to go with it!
★★★★★
My favorite family night is homemade pizza and a movie.
I tweeted about your Cheese Ranch Popcorn Chicken recipe and the Hidden Ranch giveaway:
https://mobile.twitter.com/NotherAnneOther/status/678235600969969664
Thank you!
We’re a family of two, so we have “family night” quite often. It starts with a nice meal, then we take the dog for a little walk, then either read or choose a movie or show to watch together. Simple, but we enjoy the time we spend with each other.
That would be watching a movie we all enjoy.
https://twitter.com/Esham4life/status/676209476203061248
Sitting down together, eating and watching TV or movies… something everyone can agree on to eat and watch =)
https://twitter.com/raggammuffin/status/675817068034400259
the perfect family night here is pizza is movie night
tweeted:
https://twitter.com/uTry_it/status/675598809662013442
amy [at] utry [dot] it
my idea of perfect family night is that we prepare dinner together. Enjoy a nice meal with laughter and then curl up on the sofa and chat or watch our favorite show together.
amy [at] utry [dot] it
tweet–https://twitter.com/WildOrchid985/status/674635852476207104
Our perfect family night involves board games and a fire in the fire place!
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Tried this recipe this week- the results weren’t exactly like the picture- the ‘breading’ didn’t stick very well. Though I did try to ‘shake & bake’ the chicken (where you dump the wet coated chicken straight into the dry mix & toss), which I don’t think worked very well; maybe I should have dry-coated the chicken one piece at a time (ahhh tedium). And the dipping sauce, I followed the recipe exactly but it was WAY too sweet for my taste. All we were tasting was syrup. I upped the mustard a little to balance it out, but it still was pretty sweet. Maybe I’ll try this again with some adjustments.
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Unfortunately that doesn’t work well (I tried it too and it just gunked up and fell off) so you do have to dip them just a few at a time to get the coating on right. As far as the sauce goes, it will depend the brand of syrup and mustard I think so you definitely have to play with the ratios to get the right balance of flavors for your taste!
A yummy dinner, followed by playing with my toddler and baby — and then they go to bed so my hubby and I can hang out! haha
https://twitter.com/HappyTina0115/status/671897686661033985
that looks pretty easy and yummy
Just made these tonight for dinner and they were FAB-U-LOUS! Wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about the dipping sauce but it was a delicious combo!
★★★★★
Curious if the HV Ranch has any grain/flour in the dry packets? I am unable to eat flour/grains but this sounds yummy! And my perfect family night is a campfire in the backyard overlooking the river.
A pizza sounds yummy.
I tweeted: https://twitter.com/FireRunner2379/status/671097120796106753.
My perfect family night involves a wholesome meal followed by a bicycle ride (in the summer) and a campfire with s’mores. In the winter months we usually all curl up in front of the fireplace and play cards or watch movies.
A perfect family night for me would be something at home, or something out that the kids would enjoy, like a Christmas carol concert.
chambanachik(at)gmail(dot)com
My perfect family night is playing board games with as many family members as possible.
tweet-https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/670313278074064896
The perfect family night is one in which we all sit down together to eat and share the events of the day: good food and conversation :)
tweeted https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/670052102828355584
My perfect family meal is everyone discussng their day and feeling connected.
tweet-https://twitter.com/JewelWood/status/669924702689759232
★★★★★
It is so funny, but a perfect family night for us now is playing card games or Scrabble and listening to music and eating our favorite snacks. I want to make your awesome Cheesy Ranch Popcorn Chicken. It looks delicious!!
★★★★★
Prepping this chicken recipe tonight to stick in the oven before we head out to Friendsgiving tomorrow–already got the dip mixed! I can tell this’ll be something everyone will try. Thanks for posting something simple yet substantial.
The real reason I’m commenting, though, is to thank you for being such a good writer. So many people vomit out content. Even if it feels sometimes like that’s what you’re doing, know that people with an appreciation for the language appreciate the care you take and the voice you’ve honed. Thanks so much for keeping keto interesting! I’ve eaten this way for the better part of two decades, and even still, I love your perspective. Keep it up!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I tweeted https://twitter.com/miainthewoods/status/669696639225888768
My perfect family night would be baking cookies with my family and eating them while watching our favorite tv shows.
tweet-https://twitter.com/tcarolinep/status/669599063256399872
My idea of the perfect family night is food with movie.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Tweet link: https://twitter.com/shala_darkstone/status/669550719838613504
My perfect family night is a dinner, then playing card games together, or maybe going out for a movie.
Any time with my family would be amazing; they live across the United States, so our time together are few and far between. A perfect family night would be to make dinner together, then bake some cookies, and watch a movie. Such an awesome giveaway!
I could put ranch on ranch but the chicken sounds amazing!
★★★★★
The perfect family night for me is going over to my parent’s house to watch a hockey game (Lets Go Red Wings!) and have some yummy nibbles such as chicken wings, veggies with dip (ranch of course) or her famous lasagna for which I’ll always go off low-carb if she makes that! :-)
Also this recipe looks delicious, can’t wait to make it! And I want to try that with the popcorn!
Perfect family night is making Popcorn for my hubby & watching a good movie. I am sure he will love the new ranch popcorn that I will be making tonight!!! Thanks for all your hard work in helping us stay on LCHP.
★★★★★
My idea of a perfect family night would be baking desserts as a family, playing games and watching movies.
https://twitter.com/yarbr012/status/669135721572102144
This recipe sounds amazing! Can’t wait to try it.
My perfect family night is when we can all spend the evening together, playing and having a great time. My kids are 1, 4 and 7, so they just love to play, play, play. When we’re all home in the evening and get to enjoy being together, it makes wonderful memories.
Mellissa, I love, love, love your recipes. The recipe itself sounds great, but I’m really surprised that you would use the actual Hidden Valley seasoning mix. It’s got MSG in it – like the second ingredient or so – which is an excitotoxin, and not good for us at all.
The recipe sounds great, so I’m pretty sure I’ll make it, but I’ll make my own seasoning mi.
Thanks!
For me the perfect family night includes BOARD GAMES & POPCORN!
Listening to the rain,a nice fire in the stove and putting a puzzle together with the whole family and cheesy ranch popcorn and just talking together, no music or tv
My favorite family night is cooking and eating crispy ranch seasoned chicken wings with my grandchildren, son, daughter and son-in-law. Then we play Just Dance until we drop from all the dancing, singing and laughing. I would love to try this recipe, but my family is allergic to mustard and hates mayo. Maybe if I can figure out something else to use in place of the mayo, skip the mustard and come up with a different dipping sauce? LOVE your site and recipes – you’ve been a God-send to me!
You really can’t taste the mayo or mustard but if they are really sensitive to it you can try a regular egg wash instead of the mayo mixture!
We’re allergic to mustard but I’ll give the mayo (and egg wash) a try. :) Thank you for sharing yourself (you always make me laugh) and your great recipes! Your site is the one I use the most for ideas.
Family night is finding a good movie to watch together.
Perfect family night is Hidden Valley Ranch crispy chicken and a family new release movie.
I LOVE the idea of popcorn chicken! I think my husband would love them as well. I can see making this along with some cut up veggies to go with the dip as well and enjoying it all in front of a basketball or football game! Thanks for the recipes!
★★★★★
tweet-https://twitter.com/mami2jcn/status/668965380333924352
We like family game night.
A fun family night is making hot chocolate and cookies for the little ones, turning on a fun movie and snuggling on the couch. My kids love ranch and they love popcorn chicken, so I will be making this tomorrow.
Family dinner other paprika chicken followed by a night of care games. Such a great time. Can’t wait to try this popcorn chicken recipe. Yummy
★★★★★
My idea of the perfect family night is me and my husband playing games and having a bonfire with our families- whether it’s my dad and siblings, or his mom and sister. It’s a little cold here now for a bonfire, but the fireplace will also work. :) Also, chili is usually involved since it’s an easy meal everyone loves.
When the snow starts falling we love picnics in front of the fireplace! Bring on the holiday songs, yummy food (maybe this chicken!) and time in front of a warm fire together while the snow piles up for us to play in tomorrow!
This came in the nick of time..Wednesday I am babysitting 3 of my grand kids. They love ranch dressing and chicken nuggets and now it is combined. Hidden Valley is the only brand I can use..My one grandson is allergic to all other commercial brands. Thanks!
★★★★★
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/668874677914378240
A perfect family night is watching a movie that everyone likes and enjoying some snacks.
Our perfect family night is filling yet semi-healthy dinner, snuggling and then…a dance party.
We move the coffee table, put on some good music, then my husband, myself & our three kids, ages 12, 9 & 3, dance until we are all rolling, laughing & out of breath on the floor.
No matter how stressful of a day we have and even if the kids are bickering, the moment we start dancing it out, everything comes together & we have a blast.
Hope everyone has a safe, peaceful & YUMMY Thanksgiving!
This Cheesy Ranch Popcorn Chicken recipe sounds great…look forward to making it. My family loves it when I make Ranch Popcorn. I do it a little different and add the dry Hidden Valley Ranch dressing to melted butter and then put it on the popcorn. So yummy! Thanks for all the great recipes!
I like that idea Heather because then you can get an even distribution of the flavor!
Even better, invite a single or single mom over to laugh with your family!
That is a fantastic idea Helene!
Roasting hot dogs and marshmallows around our fire pit up here on cool Michigan nights surrounded with family and friends lends fond memories that will last us forever!!
https://twitter.com/ElenaIstomina/status/668802132351414272
My idea of a perfect family night is cooking dinner together and watch a favorite movie
Already printed and on the menu this week since I have everything I need to make it in the house. Sounds delicious!
I’m sure this will be another great recipe! Thanks :)
★★★★★
I love putting the HV dressing mix over a roast and having roast with veggies. The flavoring is fantastic.
I’ll be making this recipe for sure!
I live away from my family, so a perfect family night usually centers around a holiday, when we can all be back together again. We absolutely love having a great homemade meal, and then settling down for a raucous card game with lots of laughter.
Card games with family are the BEST Tracy! We love trump games like Spades especially but we play Hearts and 9-5 (setback) sometimes too!
Sounds great!