Description
Make crispy chicken tenders coated in coconut. This recipe uses simple ingredients for a sweet and savory weeknight meal.
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 or oil for frying/baking
Instructions
- Set up a standard breading station with three shallow dishes. Place flour in the first dish. Whisk eggs in the second dish. Mix panko breadcrumbs, shredded coconut, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in the third dish.
- Pat the chicken strips dry with paper towels.
- Dredge each chicken strip first in the flour, shaking off excess.
- Dip the floured chicken into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off.
- Press the chicken firmly into the coconut-panko mixture until fully coated on all sides. Place coated tenders on a plate.
- To bake: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 C). Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange tenders in a single layer and spray the tops lightly with oil. Bake for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165 degrees F).
- To pan-fry: Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tenders in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with rice flour and the panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Serve these tenders with a sweet chili dipping sauce or a simple lime aioli.
- To make these tenders in an air fryer, cook at 375 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking or Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 tenders
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 110