Appetizers / Snacks
Coconut Chicken Bites
This recipe for Coconut Chicken Bites is totally worth celebrating. Meant to keep things nearly effortless — and sure to bring cheer to every hostess — these nuggets are a perfect year-round appetizer option. Crispy, crunchy, and sweet, it wins the trifecta of textures and flavors, too.
Ingredients
FOR THE CHICKEN, COMBINE:
FOR THE SAUCE, PURÉE:
Be sure to use unsweetened coconut for coating the chicken. Sweetened varieties are much more likely to burn while frying.
Instructions
For the chicken, combine cornstarch, 1 tsp. salt, and cayenne in a plastic bag. Pour coconut milk into a bowl. Combine coconut, panko, and remaining 1 tsp. salt in a shallow dish. Coat chicken chunks in cornstarch mixture, then in coconut milk.
Dredge chicken chunks in coconut-panko mixture; transfer chicken to a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Chill chicken chunks until ready to fry, up to 2 hours.
Heat ½ inch oil to 350° in a large sauté pan over medium. Fry chicken chunks in batches until golden, 2–3 minutes per side; drain on a paper-towel-lined plate.
For the sauce, purée bell peppers, sugar, vinegar, ginger, and pepper flakes in a food processor or blender; transfer to a saucepan and simmer over medium heat, 4–5 minutes.
Combine cornstarch and water; whisk sauce and simmer until thickened, about 2 minutes. Season sauce with salt; chill before serving.
Nutritional Facts
Nutritional Facts
Per "bite" with 1 Tbsp. sauce
Calories: 120
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 15mg 5%
Sodium 139mg 5%
Carbs 17g 5%
Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 5g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.