Crunchy Coconut Chicken
Crunchy Coconut Chicken features tender chicken pieces coated in a crispy coconut and panko breadcrumb crust, delivering a perfect balance of savory and tropical sweet flavors. Easy to prepare and versatile for various meals, this dish offers a satisfying crunch with every bite, ideal for family dinners or parties.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion / Tropical
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Coating
- 3/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika (optional)
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder (optional)
Cooking
- 1/4 cup cooking oil (neutral oil with high smoke point, such as vegetable or canola oil)
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim chicken breasts or thighs and slice into strips or leave whole as desired. Pat dry with paper towels to ensure coating sticks well.
- Set Up the Coating Stations: Place flour on a plate and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder if using. Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl. On a third plate, combine shredded coconut and panko breadcrumbs evenly.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Dip thoroughly into beaten eggs. Press firmly into the coconut and panko mixture, ensuring full coverage on all sides.
- Cook Until Golden and Crispy: Heat cooking oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry chicken pieces 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively, bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and fully cooked.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry for better coating adhesion and crispiness.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches to avoid steaming.
- Use unsweetened, fresh shredded coconut for best flavor.
- Press coating firmly onto chicken to prevent falling off during cooking.
- Let cooked chicken rest a few minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: Crunchy Coconut Chicken, Coconut Chicken, Tropical Chicken, Crispy Chicken, Gluten-Free Chicken, Easy Chicken Recipe