Description
Coconut chicken recipe brings tropical flavors to your dinner table with a perfect blend of creamy and crispy textures. Juicy chicken marinated in coconut milk delivers exotic Caribbean-inspired comfort for home cooks seeking delightful meal experiences.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (or tenders)
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup coconut, shredded (sweetened or unsweetened)
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
- ½ cup flour, all-purpose
- ½ cup oil, coconut (or vegetable)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- sweet chili sauce
- honey mustard
- pineapple salsa
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice chicken breasts into uniform bite-sized pieces for consistent cooking and optimal texture.
- Station Setup: Arrange three distinct seasoning zones – one for spiced flour, another for egg wash, and the final station for coconut-panko blend.
- Seasoning Technique: Infuse flour mixture with robust spices including salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to elevate flavor complexity.
- Coating Process: Dredge chicken pieces through flour, gently removing excess powder, then fully immerse in egg wash for complete coverage.
- Breading Method: Thoroughly press egg-coated chicken into coconut and panko mixture, creating a comprehensive crispy exterior.
- Cooking Technique: Heat coconut oil in a large skillet to moderate temperature, frying chicken in small batches to maintain optimal heat and prevent overcrowding.
- Frying Parameters: Cook each piece 3-4 minutes per side until golden-brown, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Alternative Preparation: For health-conscious option, arrange coated chicken on parchment-lined baking sheet, lightly mist with cooking spray, and bake at 400°F.
- Finishing Touch: Transfer cooked chicken to paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil, allowing slight cooling before serving with complementary dipping sauces.
Notes
- Manage Coating Technique: Press breadcrumb mixture firmly onto chicken to create a thick, even layer that prevents falling off during cooking.
- Control Oil Temperature: Maintain steady 350-375°F heat to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking chicken pieces.
- Prevent Moisture Buildup: Place fried or baked chicken on wire rack instead of paper towels to preserve crispiness and prevent soggy breading.
- Adapt for Dietary Needs: Substitute regular flour with gluten-free blend and use almond flour or crushed gluten-free cornflakes for alternative coating options that suit different dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg