Description
This Carnivore Mac and Cheese with Fried Chicken Strips is the ultimate comfort food made fully animal-based. Featuring crispy pork crackling-coated chicken thighs and gooey cheese-covered chicken “pasta,” this dish is rich, satisfying, and totally grain—and veggie-free. It is perfect for anyone on the carnivore diet craving nostalgic, indulgent flavors without compromise.
Ingredients
Fried Chicken Strips:
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400g chicken thighs (approx. 14 oz)
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50g pork cracklings (approx. 1.75 oz)
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2 large eggs
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1 tsp sea salt
Mac and Cheese:
Breadcrumb Topping:
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30g pork rinds (approx. 1 oz)
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30g raw cheese (approx. 1 oz)
“Mac” Base:
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2 large eggs
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200g raw ground chicken (approx. 7 oz)
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1 tbsp grass-fed ghee or butter (15g)
Cheese Sauce:
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100g raw cheese (approx. 3.5 oz)
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2 tbsp heavy cream or milk (30 ml)
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1 tsp lemon juice (optional)
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1/2 tsp yellow mustard (optional)
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Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
Fried Chicken Strips:
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Cut chicken thighs into even strips.
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Beat eggs in one bowl and crush pork cracklings into crumbs in another.
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Dip each chicken strip into egg, then into pork cracklings to coat.
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Season with sea salt.
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Pan-fry in ghee or tallow over medium-high heat for 4–6 minutes per side until crispy and cooked through.
Mac and Cheese:
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Blitz pork rinds and raw cheese in a food processor until crumbly. Set aside.
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Whisk eggs and mix with ground chicken in a bowl.
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Shape mixture into small pasta-like pieces and sauté in ghee until firm and golden.
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In a saucepan, melt cheese with cream over low heat until smooth.
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Stir in lemon juice, mustard, and salt.
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Toss the cooked chicken “pasta” in the cheese sauce.
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Top with pork rind “breadcrumbs” and serve hot.
Notes
Double-dip chicken in egg and cracklings for extra crunch.
Use raw cheese for optimal melt, or substitute with aged cheese if needed.
Add crispy bacon or smoked salt for elevated flavor.
Make components ahead and reheat separately for the best texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Frying + Sautéing
- Cuisine: Carnivore / Comfort Food