Go Back Email Link
–+ servings
Coconut chicken tenders.
Print Recipe
5 from 9 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 Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: crispy coconut chicken
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Caytlin McCleery

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 corn starch

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.

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.

Video

[yeetvid]

Notes

Air Fryer Instructions:

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
  2. 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.
  3. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.

Oven-Baked Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Arrange the coated chicken on the baking sheet and spritz with cooking oil.
  4. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until fully cooked.

Nutrition

Calories: 430kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 236mg | Sodium: 1852mg | Potassium: 442mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 518IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 129mg | Iron: 3mg