Description
Make crispy coconut chicken tenders without deep frying. These tenders bake up golden brown and are served with a simple homemade sweet chili dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Cooking spray
- For the Sauce: 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- For the Sauce: 1 tablespoon lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat it with cooking spray.
- Set up a standard breading station with three shallow dishes.
- In the first dish, place the flour, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- In the second dish, place the beaten eggs.
- In the third dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and shredded coconut. Mix thoroughly.
- Take each chicken strip and dredge it first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the floured chicken into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off.
- Press the chicken firmly into the coconut-panko mixture until fully coated on all sides.
- Place the coated chicken strips onto the prepared baking sheet without overcrowding. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray for extra crispness.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crisp.
- While the chicken bakes, prepare the sauce by whisking together the sweet chili sauce and lime juice in a small bowl.
- Serve the hot baked coconut chicken tenders immediately with the dipping sauce.
Notes
- For a lower-carb option, substitute almond flour for the all-purpose flour.
- If you prefer a spicier sauce, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dipping sauce mixture.
- You can use unsweetened coconut flakes if you want to reduce the overall sugar content.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 tenders
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 95