Dajaj Maqli (Keto-Style)
Fried Spiced Chicken (without breading/flour)
Yes, with a tweak: ask for the chicken to be fried without any breading, flour, or cornstarch. About 3g net carbs per serving, lower than 9 in 10 Saudi dishes.
What it is
Crispy and flavorful chicken pieces marinated in traditional spices and pan-fried or deep-fried without any breading or flour, preserving its keto-friendly nature.
Key ingredients
Chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breast), traditional Saudi spices (garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, coriander, paprika, black pepper, salt), cooking oil (e.g., vegetable oil, ghee).
How to make it keto
Crucially, ask for the chicken to be fried without any breading, flour, or cornstarch. Request no sugary marinades.
Say this to the waiter (Arabic)
دجاج مقلي من فضلك، إقلي الدجاج بدون أي بقسماط، طحين أو نشا ذرة. ولا تتبيلة سكرية.
For the Dajaj Maqli, please fry the chicken without any breading, flour, or cornstarch. No sugary marinades.
Watch out for
Most fried chicken is coated in flour or breading. Hidden sugars in marinades or spice rubs. The cooking oil type might be a concern for some (e.g., seed oils).
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
More on the Saudi menuAll 156 Saudi dishes ›
