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AIR FRYER COCONUT CHICKEN

Tender chicken is coated in coconut and panko bread crumbs and then fried to a golden brown for a dinner the whole family will love! Perfect with a sweet chili dipping sauce!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 large egg whites
  • 1.5 cups shredded sweetened coconut
  • ½ cup panko
  • 1 1/2 lbs chicken tenders
  • vegetable oil (for frying)

Instructions

Mix cornstarch, salt and pepper in a small bowl and set aside.

Beat egg whites in a medium size mixing bowl until frothy.

Place coconut and panko bread crumbs in a shallow bowl and mix to combine.

Dredge chicken tenders in cornstarch mixture; shake off excess.

Dip chicken in egg whites, then press chicken into the coconut.

Turn over and press into coconut again to coat both sides.

Heat oil in a heavy skillet (oil should be about ½”-¾” deep – add more oil if needed).

Add chicken to the hot oil in batches.

Fry until cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

Serve immediately.

Notes

You substitute all-purpose flour for the cornstarch.

Feel free to omit the panko bread crumbs if you wish. They add a nice crispy coating but aren’t necessary.

You can add a dash of tabasco to the egg white for a little kick if you want.

I serve them with sweet chili sauce that is bottled in the ethnic section of my grocery store.