Description
Crispy coconut chicken with spicy honey orange sauce delivers a perfect balance of crunchy texture and zesty flavors. Caribbean-inspired ingredients combine to create an exciting meal that invites you to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ lbs (680g) skinless, boneless chicken breasts or tenders
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (80g) sweetened shredded coconut
- ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (65g) whole wheat flour (or all-purpose)
- ¼ cup (56g) coconut oil
- ½ cup orange preserves (or marmalade)
- ¼ cup (85g) honey
- 3 tbsps dijon mustard
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt, to taste
- Chopped cilantro or parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Transform chicken into uniform strips by thinly slicing breasts or halving tenders lengthwise to ensure consistent cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Oven Setup: Preheat oven to 400°F and line baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cleanup and optimal heat distribution.
- Coating Creation: Pulse coconut into fine fragments and merge with Panko breadcrumbs. Simultaneously, establish seasoned flour and egg dipping stations for comprehensive coating process.
- Initial Frying: Heat coconut oil in skillet over medium-high heat, creating an ideal golden-brown surface for initial chicken preparation.
- Breading Technique: Execute strategic coating method – dust chicken in seasoned flour, delicately dip in whisked eggs, then generously roll in coconut-Panko mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Cooking Process: Fry chicken strips 2-3 minutes per side until achieving rich golden coloration, working in controlled batches of 4-6 pieces.
- Finishing Technique: Transfer partially cooked strips to prepared baking sheet and complete cooking in preheated oven for 6-10 minutes, verifying internal temperature reaches safe consumption level.
- Sauce Composition: Whisk honey, orange juice, and complementary seasonings to create vibrant, zesty accompanying sauce with balanced flavor profile.
- Presentation: Serve immediately, garnishing with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley to enhance visual and gustatory experience.
- Storage Strategy: Refrigerate remaining chicken up to five days, reheating methodically in 350°F oven to restore original crispness and warmth.
Notes
- Slice Smart: Cut chicken into uniform strips for consistent cooking and maximum crispiness, preventing uneven textures.
- Breading Brilliance: Create a three-stage coating process by using seasoned flour, eggs, and coconut-Panko mixture to lock in moisture and develop a crunchy exterior.
- Temperature Control: Fry chicken in hot skillet for golden color, then finish in oven to ensure safe internal temperature without compromising crispy texture.
- Sauce Precision: Balance honey and orange juice with complementary seasonings, tasting and adjusting to create a perfect sweet-spicy harmony that elevates the chicken’s flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 20min
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 150mg