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Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders

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This Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders recipe makes a chicken tender that is crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside with a delicious hint of coconut.

If your kids love chicken – check out one of our most popular posts Toddler Perfect Chicken Nuggets.

Coconut Chicken Tenders Recipe

How Do You make Crispy Chicken Tenders?

There are a couple of tips and key things to making baked chicken tenders nice and crispy.

Tip #1:  Use Panko instead of regular breadcrumbs.  Panko is Japanese breadcrumbs that have a light flaky texture and definitely produce a more crispy crunch that regular breadcrumbs.

Tip #2:  If you want a really crispy baked chicken tender, drizzle or spray a little bit of oil on your chicken tenders before baking.

Tip #3:  Put a cooling rack on your baking sheet and let them bake on top of the cooling wrack.  This allows air to circulate around the entire chicken tender giving it a much more crispy texture on the top and bottom.

Coconut Chicken Tenders Recipe

What Sides Should I Make with Chicken Tenders for dinner?

Chicken tenders are a great main dish for kids because they can be served with SO many different sides.  Chicken is a great source of lean protein and contains all of the essential amino acids needed for kids to build, maintain, and repair the tissues in their body.   Because the protein part of your meal is taken care of, the world is your oyster as far as what to serve with chicken tenders!  Here are some of our favorite things to serve with chicken tenders:

Veggies Sides:

Recipe Sides:

Baked Mac and Cheese Cups

Aye Caramba Coleslaw

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Whole Wheat Veggie Biscuits

Super Crispy Homemade French Fries

Broccoli Salad

Quick and Easy Zucchini Fries

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4.3 from 6 votes

Coconut Chicken Fingers

This Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders recipe makes a chicken tender that is crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside with a delicious hint of coconut.

Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 4 ounces chicken, 1/2 cup rice
Calories: 598kcal

Ingredients

Serve With

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Slice chicken into thin strips, or use pre-cut tenders.
  • Roughly chop coconut flakes until they are about the same size as the Panko pieces; combine with Panko and spices in a shallow dish.
  • Place the flour in another shallow dish, and the egg in another; give the egg a quick beating.
  • Dredge one chicken tender at a time in the flour, then dip it in the egg and finally in the coconut mixture. Pat down firmly with your fingers to make sure the coating sticks and the chicken is well covered.
  • Place tenders on a foil-lined baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. You can drizzle a little olive oil over top to help them crisp if you want.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until juices run clear. Try not to overcook–they cook fast! (If on the small side, check after 15 minutes.) When done, the coconut will be nice and golden and the Panko crisp but still light in color.
  • While chicken is baking, cook rice as directed on the package.
  • Cut broccoli into smaller florets and toss with olive oil and Italian seasoning. Spread evenly onto a baking sheet and roast for 10 minutes. (Watch out–they can overcook quickly as well!)
  • Serve chicken with rice, broccoli, carrots, and strawberries on the side.

Nutrition

Calories: 598kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 176mg | Sodium: 697mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 16g
Keyword : Coconut Chicken Fingers

www.superhealthykids.com

Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders

Natalie Monson

I'm a registered dietitian, mom of 4, avid lover of food and strong promoter of healthy habits. Here you will find lots of delicious recipes full of fruits and veggies, tips for getting your kids to eat better and become intuitive eaters and lots of resources for feeding your family.

Learn More about Natalie

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4 Comments

Hi Michelle, good question! Use unsweetened coconut flakes in this recipe for the best taste (and nutrition too!)

Hi Zoe, this is a recipe for baked chicken with a side of brown rice and vegetables. We feel good about serving our kids balanced meals like this that include protein, veggies, fruits, and whole grains.