5.0 from 27 votes
Perfectly Crispy Coconut Chicken
Experience the perfect crunch and irresistible flavor with coconut chicken tenders. This easy-to-make dish brings together the best of both worlds: the comforting familiarity of chicken tenders and the exotic sweetness of coconut, making dinner time exciting again.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
40 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 430 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders or 2 breasts, sliced into strips 2"x 4"
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup panko
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- vegetable oil for frying
For the Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce:
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Chili garlic sauce
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Combine the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, ginger, and cayenne pepper in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
- Mix the panko breadcrumbs and coconut flakes in a third bowl.
- First coat each chicken strip in the flour mixture, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat in the panko/coconut mixture. Press the coating firmly onto the strips and set aside.
- Fill a large skillet with vegetable oil to a depth of about 2 inches and heat over medium heat until it reaches 350°F.
- Fry the chicken strips in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking each side for 3 minutes.
- Drain the cooked chicken strips on a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot, accompanied by the sweet chili dipping sauce.
Cup of Yum
For the Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce:
- In a saucepan, combine orange juice, brown sugar, chili sauce, and cornstarch.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil and thickens.
Notes
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
- Place the chicken in the air fryer tray, spray with cooking oil, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is cooked through and crispy.
- Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Arrange the coated chicken on the baking sheet and spritz with cooking oil.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until fully cooked.
Nutrition Information
Calories
430kcal
(22%)
Carbohydrates
59g
(20%)
Protein
23g
(46%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Saturated Fat
7g
(35%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
236mg
(79%)
Sodium
1852mg
(77%)
Potassium
442mg
(13%)
Fiber
4g
(16%)
Sugar
29g
(58%)
Vitamin A
518IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
31mg
(34%)
Calcium
129mg
(13%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 430
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 430kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 59g | 20% |
| Protein | 23g | 46% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 236mg | 79% |
| Sodium | 1852mg | 77% |
| Potassium | 442mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 29g | 58% |
| Vitamin A | 518IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 31mg | 34% |
| Calcium | 129mg | 13% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.