Description
Crispy, golden, and full of tropical flair, these Golden Coconut Crusted Chicken Strips are a must-have for quick dinners, easy party appetizers, or satisfying snacks. With juicy marinated chicken coated in a crunchy panko-coconut crust, this dish is both family-friendly and crowd-pleasing. Whether you’re looking for new dinner ideas, a fun twist on classic chicken tenders, or simply a deliciously easy recipe, these coconut chicken strips hit the mark every time. Great for air fryer or oven, this recipe is the perfect mix of flavor, crunch, and convenience.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
3⁄4 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
cooking spray or oil for baking/air frying
Instructions
1. Place chicken in a bowl with buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight.
2. Set up three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mix of panko and shredded coconut.
3. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge in flour, dip in eggs, then coat thoroughly in coconut-panko mixture.
4. Arrange strips on a parchment-lined baking tray or air fryer basket. Spray lightly with cooking spray.
5. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, or air fry at 375°F for 14–16 minutes until golden and cooked through.
6. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces or sides.
Notes
For extra crispiness, press the coating firmly into the chicken.
Don’t skip the marinade—it’s the key to juicy, flavorful chicken.
If using sweetened coconut, reduce baking time slightly to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake or Air Fry
- Cuisine: Tropical, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 412
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: chicken tenders, coconut chicken, easy dinner, air fryer recipe, oven baked chicken