Crispy Coconut Chicken with Spicy Honey Orange Sauce Recipe

Crispy coconut chicken crafts ordinary poultry into a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes taste buds with unexpected flavor combinations.

Tropical ingredients dance together, creating a sensational meal that breaks free from traditional cooking boundaries.

Crunchy exterior meets succulent meat, promising a dining experience far beyond standard weeknight dinners.

Delicate coconut coating provides an irresistible golden crunch that seals in remarkable juiciness.

Sweet and spicy notes from the accompanying sauce elevate this dish from simple to spectacular.

Layers of complexity emerge with each carefully crafted bite, blending textures and tastes into harmonious perfection.

Bold yet approachable, this recipe invites you to unleash your inner chef and reimagine what chicken can truly be.

Flavor Twists That Elevate This Coconut Chicken Dish

• Tropical Island Chicken: Replace Panko with crushed macadamia nuts for an extra Hawaiian-inspired crunch. Add lime zest to the coconut coating for a bright, tangy flavor profile.
• Spicy Caribbean Chicken: Mix cayenne pepper into the coconut breading for heat. Swap honey orange sauce with a mango-habanero sauce that brings bold, fiery Caribbean flavors.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Incorporate dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary into the coconut breading. Replace honey orange sauce with a tzatziki-style yogurt dip featuring cucumber and fresh mint.
• Curry Coconut Chicken: Blend mild yellow curry powder into the coconut mixture for an Indian-inspired version. Create a complementary sauce using mango chutney and Greek yogurt for a creamy, aromatic finish.

Crispy Coconut Chicken with Spicy Honey Orange Sauce That Pops

• Unlock Irresistible Crunch: The coconut and Panko coating creates an addictively crispy exterior that shatters beautifully with each bite, delivering a satisfying texture that elevates ordinary chicken to extraordinary.
• Effortless Flavor Explosion: This recipe brilliantly combines sweet coconut, zesty orange, and spicy honey in a simple method that transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish anyone can master in under 30 minutes.
• Versatile Weeknight Wonder: Perfect for busy families, picky eaters, and casual dinner parties, this chicken adapts easily to different dietary preferences and provides a fun twist on traditional breaded chicken with minimal prep work and maximum deliciousness.

The Crunch and Zing Inside Crispy Coconut Chicken Delight

• Chicken Breasts or Chicken Tenders: Lean protein that creates the main dish base, choose fresh and high-quality meat for best results.

• Shredded Coconut, Panko Breadcrumbs: Provides crispy exterior with nutty and crunchy texture, look for unsweetened coconut flakes for better coating.
• All-Purpose Flour: Creates first dry layer for coating, helps other ingredients stick to chicken.
• Eggs: Helps breading adhere to chicken, acts as binding agent for coating.

• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps create glossy sauce texture.
• Orange Juice: Provides bright citrus flavor and acidic balance.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Enhances overall seasoning and brings out other flavors.
• Coconut Oil: Used for frying and adds subtle coconut undertone.
• Optional Fresh Herbs (Cilantro or Parsley): Provides fresh garnish and additional aromatic touch.

Cooking Crispy Coconut Chicken with Sweet Heat Made Simple

Step 1: Prepare Chicken Pieces

Trim chicken and slice into even strips. For chicken breasts, pound to uniform thickness before cutting. For tenders, slice lengthwise.

Step 2: Setup Baking Station

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange three mixing bowls on counter.

Step 3: Create Crispy Coating

• Shredded coconut
• Panko breadcrumbs
• All-purpose flour
• Salt
• Black pepper

Pulse coconut in food processor until finely chopped. Mix with panko in first bowl. Combine flour, salt, pepper in second bowl. Crack eggs into third bowl and whisk thoroughly.

Step 4: Prepare Cooking Surface

Heat coconut oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Ensure oil is hot but not smoking.

Step 5: Coat Chicken Pieces

• Coat in seasoned flour
• Dip in whisked eggs
• Roll generously in coconut-panko mixture

Shake off excess coating between each step.

Step 6: Fry Chicken Strips

Fry 4-6 strips simultaneously. Cook 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to prepared baking sheet.

Step 7: Bake Chicken

Bake chicken strips 6-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Ensure thorough cooking.

Step 8: Create Spicy Honey Orange Sauce

• Honey
• Orange juice
• Hot sauce
• Zest from orange
• Salt

Whisk all ingredients together. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Step 9: Serve and Garnish

Plate warm chicken strips. Drizzle or serve sauce on side. Sprinkle fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley.

Step 10: Store Leftovers

Refrigerate remaining chicken in sealed container. Consume within 5 days. Reheat at 350°F for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Texture in Crispy Coconut Chicken

• Pound Perfectly: Ensure even thickness by gently pounding chicken to uniform size for consistent cooking and crispy coating.
• Coconut Crush: Pulse or chop coconut finely to create a more adherable and evenly distributed breading that sticks better to chicken.
• Oil Temperature Trick: Monitor oil heat to prevent burning; aim for a steady medium-high temperature that allows golden-brown crust without overcooking chicken.
• Breading Station Setup: Organize flour, egg, and coconut-panko stations in order to create a smooth, mess-free coating process.
• Sauce Balance: Taste and adjust sauce sweetness and spiciness by gradually adding honey or hot sauce to achieve your desired flavor profile.

How to Store and Crisp Up Leftover Coconut Chicken

• Refrigerate: Store crispy coconut chicken in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Cooling: Allow chicken to cool completely before sealing to prevent condensation and soggy texture.
• Reheating: Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwaving to preserve the crispy coconut crust. Drizzle with a little fresh sauce to revive moisture and flavor before serving.

Sidekicks That Shine with Crispy Coconut Chicken

• Pair with Tropical Cocktail: Mix a refreshing pineapple-coconut mojito that complements the coconut chicken's tropical flavors, enhancing the dish's island-inspired profile with a zesty rum-based drink.
• Serve with Crisp Salad Companion: Create a light mango-cucumber salad with a lime-cilantro dressing that cuts through the richness of the crispy chicken and provides a fresh, vibrant counterpoint.
• Match with Cooling Side Dish: Prepare a creamy coconut rice with a hint of ginger, which echoes the coconut breading and helps balance the spicy honey orange sauce's heat and sweetness.
• Elevate with Sparkling Beverage: Choose a chilled Riesling or a light wheat beer that can handle the dish's complex flavor profile, offering a refreshing contrast to the crispy, spicy-sweet chicken.

Crispy Coconut Chicken with Spicy Honey Orange Sauce Recipe

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4.6 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy coconut chicken delivers a Caribbean-inspired flavor explosion with golden-brown exterior and juicy interior. Tangy orange honey sauce complements the crunchy coconut coating, creating an irresistible meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 ½ pounds (680g) skinless, boneless chicken breasts or tenders

Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup (80g) sweetened shredded coconut
• ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup (65g) whole wheat flour (or all-purpose)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup (56g) coconut oil

Sauce Ingredients:

• ½ cup orange preserves (or marmalade)
• ¼ cup (85g) honey
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt, to taste

Optional Garnish:

• Chopped cilantro or parsley

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Instructions

1. Transform chicken breasts into thin strips or halve chicken tenders lengthwise for uniform cooking and optimal crispiness.
2. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup and even cooking.
3. Create a textural coating by processing coconut into fine fragments, then combining with Panko breadcrumbs in a mixing vessel. Simultaneously, establish two additional bowls: one with seasoned flour mixture and another for whisked eggs.
4. Warm coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, creating an ideal frying surface with consistent temperature.
5. Develop a three-stage breading technique: first, thoroughly coat chicken in seasoned flour, eliminating excess; next, immerse in beaten eggs, allowing minimal dripping; finally, roll generously in coconut-Panko mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
6. Execute controlled frying, introducing 4-6 chicken strips simultaneously and cooking approximately 2 minutes per side until achieving a golden, crisp exterior.
7. Transfer partially cooked strips to prepared baking sheet and complete cooking in preheated oven for 6-10 minutes, guaranteeing thorough internal temperature.
8. Construct a vibrant sauce by whisking together honey, orange juice, and complementary seasonings, adjusting salt levels to personal preference.
9. Present chicken immediately with accompanying sauce, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.
10. Preserve remaining chicken in refrigerated conditions, maintaining quality for up to five days. Reheat methodically in oven at 350°F to restore initial crispness and warmth.

Notes

• Prep Ahead: Break down coconut and set up three-bowl breading station before starting to make coating process smoother and faster.
• Frying Technique: Use medium-high heat and fry chicken strips in small batches to ensure even golden-brown crispy exterior without overcrowding the pan.
• Baking Finish: After frying, bake chicken to guarantee fully cooked internal temperature and maintain crispy coconut crust.
• Sauce Balance: Whisk sauce ingredients carefully and taste before adding salt to achieve perfect sweet-spicy-tangy flavor profile.
• Serving Tip: Warm chicken right before serving and garnish with fresh herbs for added color and brightness.
• Storage Wisdom: Refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat in oven to preserve crispiness, avoiding microwave which can make coating soggy.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 580
• Sugar: 20g
• Sodium: 720mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 24g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 180mg