What Are Chicken Chips Made Of? The Ultimate Ingredient Guide

November 12, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2025 analysis, the high-protein snack market is rapidly growing, with products like chicken chips gaining traction among health-conscious consumers. So, what are chicken chips made of, and how do they achieve their satisfying, crispy texture while remaining low-carb and often gluten-free?

Quick Summary

Chicken chips are primarily made from ground chicken meat combined with various seasonings and binders, then baked or air-fried until crispy. Ingredients vary significantly by brand and recipe, with some using coconut or cassava flour and others focusing solely on pure chicken and spices for a high-protein, low-carb snack.

Key Points

Core Ingredients: Chicken chips are primarily made from ground chicken, combined with seasonings and baked or fried until crisp.
Homemade vs. Commercial: Homemade versions use simple ground chicken and spices, while commercial varieties often include additional binders like cassava or coconut flour.
Keto and Paleo Friendly: Many chicken chip brands, like Wilde and EPIC, are formulated to be low-carb, high-protein, and grain-free, fitting well into specialty diets.
Health Consideration: While high in protein, some store-bought chicken chips can be highly processed, and ingredients lists should be checked for fillers or excessive additives.
Manufacturing Process: The creation involves grinding the chicken, mixing with spices, rolling the mixture paper-thin, and baking or frying to achieve the crispy texture.
Flavor Diversity: Various brands and homemade recipes use different spice blends, from simple sea salt and pepper to more complex flavors like sriracha, smoked BBQ, and garlic.

The Foundational Ingredients: From Farm to Chip

At their core, chicken chips begin with chicken, but the specific cut and other accompanying ingredients differ between homemade and commercial preparations. For home cooks, the process is often minimalist, while food manufacturers have perfected complex recipes to ensure a specific flavor, texture, and shelf life.

Homemade vs. Commercial Formulations

Homemade Chicken Chips: These are typically crafted from just a few simple ingredients: ground chicken (often thighs or breast), sea salt, and a blend of savory spices. The emphasis is on real, whole food, making it a popular choice for those on keto or paleo diets.
Commercial Chicken Chips: The ingredient list for packaged chicken chips can be more extensive, depending on the brand. Manufacturers may include binders, texturizers, and additional seasonings to enhance the product. Ingredients often include:
- Cassava Root Flour: Used by some brands as a grain-free binder to hold the chicken together and add crispness.
- Coconut Flour: Another popular grain-free option found in paleo and keto-friendly chips to achieve a desirable texture.
- Bone Broth: Added for flavor depth and nutritional value.
- Tempura-style Batter: Some mass-market varieties coat chopped and shaped chicken in a flour-based batter before frying.

An In-Depth Look at What are Chicken Chips Made Of by Brand

Specific brands have built their reputation on their unique ingredient combinations. Here are some examples:

Wilde Chips: These are known for their use of 100% chicken breast, cassava root flour, and coconut nectar, making them a popular keto and paleo-friendly option.
EPIC Provisions Crisps: Made with free-range chicken, EPIC crisps are oven-baked and combine chicken breast with coconut flour and quality spices like black pepper, onion, and garlic.
Doki Chicken Chips: This brand focuses on clean ingredients, using free-range chicken breast, bone broth, and bold spices to create a high-protein, savory snack.

The Manufacturing Process: How Chicken Becomes a Chip

Creating a Homemade Crispy Chicken Chip

The process for making chicken chips at home is straightforward and requires minimal equipment. It typically involves these steps:

Grinding the Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken is ground in a meat grinder or food processor until it forms a paste-like texture.
Seasoning the Mix: Spices such as paprika, cumin, onion powder, and sea salt are mixed thoroughly into the ground chicken.
Rolling Thin: The seasoned chicken mixture is rolled out paper-thin between two sheets of parchment paper using a rolling pin. This is the most critical step for achieving crispiness.
Baking or Air Frying: The flattened chicken sheet is then baked in an oven or air fried until it is golden brown and crispy, which can take around 30-45 minutes depending on the method.
Cooling and Breaking: After cooling for several minutes, the giant chicken chip is broken into smaller, snack-sized pieces.

Industrial Manufacturing

Large-scale production can be more complex, involving advanced machinery to create uniform products:

Preparation: A chicken meat mixture, sometimes including binders and starches, is prepared.
Forming and Freezing: The mixture is shaped into a log, flash-frozen to -40°C, and then sliced into precise, thin pieces.
Battering and Frying: The sliced chips are then coated in a batter and deep-fried at high temperatures for a short duration.
Freezing and Packaging: The finished chips are frozen and packaged for circulation.

The Nutritional Debate: Healthier Snack or Still Processed?

Chicken chips are often marketed as a healthier, low-carb alternative to potato chips due to their high protein content. A product like EPIC's Chicken Crisps offers 22 grams of protein and only 2 grams of net carbs per serving, for example. While this is a significant advantage, some dietitians warn that store-bought options can still be highly processed, especially if they contain a long list of additional ingredients. Homemade versions, with their simple ingredients, are a cleaner option. For those following a keto or paleo lifestyle, chicken chips can be an effective way to get a crunchy snack without breaking dietary rules.

Chicken Chips: Ingredient & Method Comparison


Attribute	Homemade Chicken Chips	Wilde Chicken Chips	Ingham's Chicken Chips
Base Ingredient	Ground Chicken (Breast or Thigh)	Chicken Breast	Chopped Australian Chicken
Texture Agent	None (pure meat & spices)	Cassava Root Flour, Coconut Nectar	Flour (Wheat, Maize), Starch
Cooking Method	Baked or Air Fried	Baked	Battered & Fried
Key Flavor Profile	Savory, adaptable with spices	Seasoning Dependent (e.g., Pink Salt)	Tempura Style, Savory
Health Claim	High Protein, Low Carb, Paleo/Keto	Paleo, Keto, High Protein, Low Carb	Good Source of Protein (with batter)

Conclusion: A Savory, High-Protein Snacking Alternative

In conclusion, what chicken chips are made of ultimately depends on the source. While they offer a high-protein, low-carb, and gluten-free alternative to traditional snacks, the specific ingredients and processing methods vary widely. Homemade versions offer the most control over ingredients, typically comprising ground chicken and spices, while commercial brands incorporate additional binders like cassava or coconut flour. For consumers with specific dietary goals, such as following a keto or paleo lifestyle, chicken chips can be a satisfying option. However, reading labels and understanding the manufacturing process is essential to ensure the product aligns with your health needs. By understanding the core components and brand differences, you can make an informed choice about this innovative and crunchy protein snack. You can find more information on healthy chip alternatives at Medical News Today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, chicken chips are made from real chicken, typically ground chicken breast or thigh meat. The amount of chicken and the inclusion of other ingredients can vary significantly by brand.

Yes, chicken chips have a distinct savory chicken flavor, often compared to the taste of crispy chicken skin. The overall taste profile is also influenced by the spices used in the recipe.

Chicken chips can be a healthier alternative to traditional potato chips due to their high protein and low-carb content. However, healthiness can depend on the specific brand's ingredients, as some are more processed than others.

Yes, you can easily make chicken chips at home using ground chicken, spices, and an oven or air fryer. The key is to roll the chicken mixture out very thinly before cooking for maximum crispiness.

Many brands of chicken chips are specifically formulated to be gluten-free by using grain-free binders like cassava or coconut flour. However, you should always check the product label to be sure.

The signature crunch comes from flattening the ground chicken mixture into a paper-thin layer and then baking or frying it until all the moisture is removed. The thinness of the layer is crucial for a crisp result.

Cassava root flour is a starchy, grain-free flour derived from the cassava plant. Some brands use it as a gluten-free binding agent to help hold the chicken chips together and achieve a crispy texture.