Bacon Ranch Chicken Poppers (Paleo, Whole 30, AIP)
These bacon ranch chicken poppers are a savory and flavorful option for the perfect snack or an easy meal! They’re gluten-free, dairy-free paleo, whole30, and AIP.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Poppers
I’ve seen so many folks share how much they love the sweet potato chicken popper, that I wanted to make a variation that’s even more flavorful, savory and delicious… and that’s how these bacon ranch chicken poppers were born! These are made with shredded bacon and an AIP ranch seasoning that’s dairy-free, and are insanely easy to make.
So now, you’ve got veggies, healthy fat, protein, and that amazing ranch flavor all in one little nugget, all while staying paleo, Whole30 and AIP! The ultimate healthy chicken nugget!
The Ingredients for Bacon Ranch Chicken Poppers
- Ground Chicken: You can buy chicken pre-ground, or simply grind up chicken breast yourself in a food processor. You can also sub ground turkey if you prefer.
- Shredded Carrots: You can shred them in a food processor or buy them pre-shredded.
- Bacon
- Coconut Oil
- Coconut Flour: This binds the poppers together.
- Dried Parsley
- Dried Chives
- Garlic Powder
- Dried Dill
- Onion Powder
- Sea Salt
How to make Bacon Ranch Chicken Poppers
- Prepare Ingredients: Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment Add the shredded carrots to a food processor along with the bacon and blend on high. You want both the carrots and the bacon to be very finely shredded. Remove the carrots and bacon from the food processor and add to a mixing bowl.
- Make Poppers: Stir in the raw ground chicken (or turkey), seasoning, coconut oil, and flour and thoroughly combine. Roll the mixture into small poppers and slightly flatten them (you’ll have 25-30 poppers).
- Bake & Serve: Bake for 30-35 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Place them under the broiler for 5 minutes to a crisp before serving if desired. Serve warm with compliant ranch dressing and enjoy!
How do you eat these bacon ranch chicken poppers?
Like I said with the sweet potato chicken poppers, these bacon ranch poppers don’t just have to be game day food! Here’s just a few of the many ways can use them as…
- They’re basically healthy chicken nuggets for kiddos & picky eaters
- They’re great to stash in the freezer for emergency dinners
- Perfect to bring along for a work lunch
- Amazing for a creative breakfast
- Great to serve alongside some compliant ranch and sliced veggies for a party or movie night snack
Can you use turkey instead?
Yes! Ground turkey is a great option to use in these poppers.
Can you leave out the bacon?
You can, no problem.
Can you use pre-shredded carrot?
I find it best to still pulse pre-shredded carrots in the food processor to make them even finer.
Can you use other flours or oils?
You can use avocado oil or olive oil. You can use cassava flour or almond flour, if tolerated.
You’ll also love…
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps
- Sweet Potato Chicken Poppers
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza
Bacon Ranch Chicken Poppers (Paleo, Whole 30, AIP)
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Ingredients
- 1 lb raw ground chicken, or turkey
- 2 cups raw shredded carrots
- 3 slices raw bacon, sugar-free for whole30
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 2 tbsp dried parsley
- 2 tsp dried chives
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper, omit for AIP
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment
- Add the shredded carrots to a food processor along with the bacon and blend on high. You want both the carrots and the bacon to be very finely shredded. Remove the carrots and bacon from the food processor and add to a mixing bowl
- Stir in the raw ground chicken (or turkey), seasoning, coconut oil, and flour and thoroughly combine
- Roll the mixture into small poppers and slightly flatten them (you’ll have 25-30 poppers)
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Place them under the broiler for 5 minutes to a crisp before serving if desired,
- Serve warm with compliant ranch dressing and enjoy!
Notes
This post originally appeared on Unbound Wellness in 2017 and was updated and republished in 2021.
Recipe by Michelle, Unbound Wellness. Photos by Eat Love Eats
This is one of my go to AIP recipes for make ahead lunches. If you haven’t made them- do it!!! They are so good!
Thank you so much, Bethany!!
These look super delish! I am curious if you think they might be something that could cook up in the airfryer? And, if so, do you have any recommendations for any tweaks you’d make if using that cooking method?
Yes you should be able to, I just haven’t tried it myself yet!
Hi! If I only have chicken breasts on hand and no meat grinder, could I process the breasts in the food processor? Or would it not be the right consistency do you think?
You can for sure do that! 🙂
Thank you!!
These are super yummy and the perfect appetizer or dinner. I made them for a movie night, and everyone enjoyed. A ranch dipping sauce is a much in my opinion!
So glad you liked it! Thank you!!
Thanks for posting! I would love make these although I am also restricted from coconut. Do you have any recommendations for substitutes for coconut oil and coconut flour?
Thank you!
You can use other flours like cassava or almond, and other fats of your choice also work 🙂
we love these poppers! Sooooo good!
These are sooo good! Especially when they crisp up. I didn’t have shredded carrots and subbed riced sweet potato and they were still amazing! Also added some red onion.
Thank you!!
Has anyone tried making this in an air fryer?
I haven’t tried myself but you should be able to!
These are delicious!! They have a ton a flavor and are perfect for meal prep. Thank you for the recipe!
Thank you so much, Kristen! So glad you like them 🙂
I have a question about the optional nutritional yeast. Do you use it and what is the difference with or without it? Thanks
It adds some umami flavor. I think it’s still good without it 🙂
I love this twist on your original Sweet Potato Popper recipe! 🙂
Do you think ground venison would work?
I haven’t tried that but let me know if you do!
All 4 of my kids (even my super picky cereal and pasta eating only child) loved these! Will definitely be making these again. Great idea for football Sunday grub. Thanks!
YAY! So happy to hear that! Thanks, Leslie!
I was lazy tonight and didn’t feel like getting out the food processor – so I chopped the bacon and grated 2 medium carrots on the fine side of my grater (which ended up being 1 cup packed) and proceeded with the recipe as written. They were fantastic!! A big hit with the whole family!
Excited to try these! Do you melt the coconut oil before mixing in?
I don’t 🙂 Enjoy!!