This recipe for Coconut Chicken Tenders has a lot going for it! Here are some of the reasons why it’s so good:

Flavorful Breading: The combination of panko breadcrumbs, shredded coconut, sesame seeds, and spices creates a flavorful and crunchy coating that complements the chicken perfectly.
Tender Chicken: The chicken is marinated in a simple mixture of salt and Sriracha, which helps to keep it moist and flavorful during cooking.
Crispy Texture: Baking the chicken tenders on a wire rack helps them to cook evenly and become crispy on all sides.
Versatile Dipping Sauce: The dipping sauce, made with mayonnaise, Asian sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha, is a delicious blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors that complements the chicken tenders perfectly.
Easy to Make: This recipe is relatively simple to follow, even for beginner cooks. With just a few steps, you can have a delicious and satisfying meal on the table.
Healthier Option: Baking the chicken tenders instead of frying them is a healthier option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture.
Crowd-Pleaser: This dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to parties and potlucks.

Overall, this recipe for Coconut Chicken Tenders is a winner because it’s delicious, easy to make, and versatile. It’s a great option for anyone who loves chicken and wants to try something new and exciting.

Coconut Chicken Tenders

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Course: Appetizer, Lunch, Snacks

Cuisine: American, Caribbean, Southeast Asian

Keyword: American, Caribbean, Chicken, Coconut, Southeast Asian, Tenders

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 9

Servings: people

Calories: 375kcal

Escape to a tropical paradise with every bite of these incredible Coconut Chicken Tenders! Imagine sinking your teeth into tender, juicy chicken coated in a golden-brown, crispy coconut batter. The combination of sweet and savory flavors is an absolute delight, and the satisfying crunch will have you reaching for more. Whether you're dipping them in a tangy sauce, serving them alongside a refreshing salad, or enjoying them as a fun appetizer, these Coconut Chicken Tenders are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. ☀️🌴

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Ingredients

1 lb Chicken Breast boneless & skinless, tenderloins or breast. cut into 1-inch thick strips.
¾ tsp Salt divided
3 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
1 Large Egg
1½ tsp Sriracha
1 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs
½ Cup Coconut unsweetened, shredded.
2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds
½ tsp Paprika
½ tsp Garlic Powder
1 Tbsp Olive Oil

Dipping Sauce

⅓ Caup Mayonnaise
¼ Cup Asian Sweet Chili Sauce
1 Tbsp Sriracha

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Instructions

Take a moment to gather all of the ingredients needed for this recipe. This will help ensure a smooth and efficient cooking process.
1 lb Chicken Breast, ¾ tsp Salt, 3 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour, 1 Large Egg, 1½ tsp Sriracha, 1 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs, ½ Cup Coconut, 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds, ½ tsp Paprika, ½ tsp Garlic Powder, 1 Tbsp Olive Oil, ⅓ Caup Mayonnaise, ¼ Cup Asian Sweet Chili Sauce, 1 Tbsp Sriracha
Begin by preheating your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Place a wire rack in an 18x13-inch rimmed baking sheet. Spray the wire rack with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent the chicken from sticking to the rack. Next, sprinkle the chicken tenders with 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Set the chicken aside while you prepare the breading.
1 lb Chicken Breast, ¾ tsp Salt
Prepare your breading stations. You'll need three shallow dishes. In the first dish, place the flour. This will be your first coating for the chicken. In the second dish, whisk together the egg and Sriracha. This will help the breading adhere to the chicken. In the third dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, shredded coconut, sesame seeds, paprika, garlic powder, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt. Drizzle the panko mixture with the olive oil and use your hands or a fork to mix until all the panko is lightly coated with the oil. This will help create a crispy coating.
¾ tsp Salt, 3 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour, 1 Large Egg, 1½ tsp Sriracha, 1 Cup Panko Bread Crumbs, ½ Cup Coconut, 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds, ½ tsp Paprika, ½ tsp Garlic Powder, 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
Now it's time to coat the chicken! Working with one chicken tender at a time, dip it into the flour, shake off any excess, and then dip it into the egg mixture to coat. Next, dredge the chicken tender in the panko mixture, making sure to coat all sides. Press the panko mixture gently onto the chicken to help it adhere. Place the breaded chicken tender on the prepared rack. Repeat this process with the remaining chicken tenders.
3 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour, 1 Large Egg
Carefully place the baking sheet with the breaded chicken tenders in the preheated oven. Bake the chicken tenders until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked on the inside. This should take about 15 minutes. To ensure the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The safe internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
1 lb Chicken Breast
In a small bowl, add the mayonnaise, Asian sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha. Stir the ingredients together until they are fully combined and the sauce is a uniform color.
1½ tsp Sriracha, ¼ Cup Asian Sweet Chili Sauce, ⅓ Caup Mayonnaise
Arrange the crispy coconut chicken tenders on a platter and serve them immediately while they are still hot and crispy. Serve the dipping sauce alongside for dipping.

Notes

Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins. Cut them into even strips for consistent cooking.
Breading: Panko breadcrumbs create a light and crispy coating.
Coconut: Unsweetened shredded coconut adds a sweet and nutty flavor. If you don't have shredded coconut, you can use flaked coconut or even finely chopped almonds or walnuts.
Seasonings: Paprika and garlic powder add flavor to the breading. You can experiment with other spices like onion powder, chili powder, or cayenne pepper.
Sriracha: Sriracha adds a spicy kick to both the chicken and the dipping sauce. Adjust the amount to your liking.
Dipping Sauce: The combination of mayonnaise, Asian sweet chili sauce, and Sriracha creates a sweet, spicy, and tangy dipping sauce. You can use other dipping sauces like honey mustard, ketchup, or barbecue sauce.

Cooking Tips:

Even Coating: Make sure the chicken tenders are evenly coated in each of the breading ingredients. This will ensure a crispy and flavorful crust.
Don't Overcrowd: When baking the chicken tenders, don't overcrowd the baking sheet. This will ensure that they cook evenly and become crispy.
Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken tenders are cooked through. The safe internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).
Keep Warm: If you're making a large batch, keep the cooked chicken tenders warm in a low oven while you finish cooking the rest.

Serving Suggestions:

Sides: Serve with your favorite sides, such as french fries, mashed potatoes, or a salad.
Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces for people to choose from.
Presentation: Arrange the chicken tenders on a platter with the dipping sauce on the side.

Variations:

Spicy: Add more Sriracha or another hot sauce to the breading or dipping sauce.
Sweet: Add a touch of honey or maple syrup to the breading for a hint of sweetness.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs and all-purpose flour.
Air Fryer: You can also cook the chicken tenders in an air fryer. Follow your air fryer's instructions for cooking time and temperature.

With these tips, you'll be able to make delicious and crispy coconut chicken tenders that are perfect for any occasion!

Nutrition

List of Ingredients:

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast tenderloins or chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch thick strips
- ¾ teaspoon salt, divided
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ teaspoons Sriracha sauce
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Dipping Sauce:
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Asian sweet chili sauce
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce

Image Gallery

Coconut Chicken Tenders Breading Stations

Mayonnaise

Coconut Chicken Tenders Rack Baking

Coconut Chicken Bang Bang Sauce

Coconut Chicken Tenders

Coconut Chicken Plated with Bang Bang Sauce

Coconut Chicken Tenders Sprinkle Salt

Coconut Chicken Tenders Rack

Coconut Chicken Tenders Mise En Place

History of Coconut Chicken Tenders

While coconut chicken tenders are a popular dish, pinning down their exact origin and a definitive history is tricky! There’s no single inventor or a precise date we can point to. However, we can trace the likely influences and factors that led to their creation:

Possible Influences:

Chicken Tenders: The concept of chicken tenders—strips of chicken breast breaded and fried—has been around for a while. Some food historians trace their origins back to a restaurant in Manchester, New Hampshire, in the 1970s.
Coconut in Cuisine: The use of coconut in savory and sweet dishes is prominent in various cuisines, particularly those in the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. This likely played a role in inspiring the idea of using coconut in a breading for chicken.
Fusion Cuisine: The rise of fusion cuisine, which blends elements from different culinary traditions, likely contributed to the experimentation with flavors and ingredients that led to coconut chicken tenders.

Likely Emergence:

Late 20th Century: It’s probable that coconut chicken tenders started appearing sometime in the late 20th century, as global flavors became more popular and cooks began experimenting with new ways to prepare chicken.
Restaurant and Home Kitchens: The dish likely gained popularity both in restaurants and home kitchens, as people sought new and exciting ways to enjoy chicken.

Factors Contributing to Popularity:

Flavor and Texture: The combination of crispy coconut and tender chicken offers a satisfying contrast of textures and a delicious blend of sweet and savory flavors.
Versatility: Coconut chicken tenders can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, making them adaptable to different tastes and occasions.
Ease of Preparation: They are relatively easy to make, which adds to their appeal for home cooks.

Modern Variations:

Today, you’ll find many variations of coconut chicken tenders, with different seasonings, breading mixtures, and dipping sauces. They remain a popular dish in restaurants and home kitchens, enjoyed by people of all ages.

While the exact history of coconut chicken tenders may remain somewhat elusive, it’s a testament to culinary creativity and the fusion of different culinary traditions.

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