Description
These Golden Coconut Crusted Chicken Strips are a crunchy, juicy, flavor-packed twist on your everyday chicken tenders. With a crispy coconut and panko coating, they offer a tropical flair perfect for a quick dinner, a healthy snack, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Whether you bake, fry, or air fry them, the result is irresistible. This is one of those easy recipes that earns a permanent spot in your dinner ideas, quick lunch options, and easy recipe go-tos.
Perfectly golden. Slightly sweet. Unbelievably crunchy.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken tenders
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 cup unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
Neutral oil or cooking spray for cooking
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken dry using paper towels. If using chicken breasts, slice into 1-inch wide strips.
2. Prepare a breading station: one bowl with flour, one with beaten eggs, one with a mix of coconut, panko, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Dredge chicken in flour, then dip into eggs, and finally coat thoroughly in the coconut mixture. Press to adhere.
4. To bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line and grease a baking sheet. Place chicken in a single layer, spray with oil, and bake for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway.
5. To fry: Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken strips 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
6. To air fry: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Spray both sides of chicken. Air fry in a single layer for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
7. Let the chicken strips rest for 2 minutes before serving.
8. Serve hot with sweet chili sauce or your favorite dip.
Notes
Always pat chicken dry to help the coating stick better.
Use unsweetened coconut to avoid burning.
Reheat leftovers in the air fryer or oven for best crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: coconut chicken, crispy chicken strips, quick dinner, easy recipe, healthy snack, food ideas