Description
Crispy coconut chicken tenders blend Caribbean flavors with crunchy coating and tropical notes. Juicy chicken strips promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 eggs
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken tenderloins
- ½ cup (60 grams) flour
- ⅔ cup (55 grams) shredded sweetened coconut flakes
- ⅔ cup (75 grams) panko bread crumbs
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) water
- ½ tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Oil for frying
- Sea salt flakes (optional)
- Sweet chili sauce
Instructions
- Coating Preparation: Arrange three shallow dishes – one with seasoned flour, another with whisked eggs, and the third with a blended mixture of coconut flakes and panko breadcrumbs.
- Dredging Process: Thoroughly coat each chicken tender in the seasoned flour, ensuring complete and uniform coverage, then dip into the egg wash, allowing excess to drip off, creating a tacky surface.
- Breading Technique: Generously roll the egg-coated tender in the coconut and panko mixture, gently pressing to secure a crisp, textured exterior.
- Frying Setup: Heat a robust skillet with sufficient oil for shallow frying, maintaining a medium temperature to achieve a golden, crispy crust.
- Cooking Method: Carefully place the breaded tenders in the hot oil, maintaining space between each piece to prevent overcrowding and ensure even cooking, frying for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
- Finishing Touch: Transfer the crispy tenders to a wire rack over absorbent paper to drain excess oil, then optionally sprinkle with delicate sea salt and serve with sweet chili sauce.
- Alternative Baking Option: For a healthier alternative, arrange coated tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast in a preheated 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping midway to ensure uniform browning.
Notes
- Coating Technique: Ensure each chicken tender is thoroughly and evenly coated by pressing the coconut-panko mixture gently, creating a crispy, textured exterior that locks in moisture.
- Oil Temperature Control: Maintain medium heat to achieve a golden-brown crust without burning, allowing the chicken to cook through evenly and remain juicy inside.
- Spacing Matters: Avoid overcrowding the skillet to prevent soggy tenders, giving each piece enough room for proper heat circulation and crisp development.
- Draining Method: Use a wire rack over paper towels to keep the tenders crispy by allowing excess oil to drip away, maintaining the perfect crunch and preventing sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 15min
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg