Introduction
Welcome to our culinary journey where we explore a delicious and effortless recipe: Coconut Chicken Bites, cooked to perfection using an air fryer. This method ensures a healthy, crispy, and flavourful dish, perfect for any occasion. Whether you are hosting a party or preparing a quick family dinner, these coconut chicken bites are a delightful addition to your menu.
Ingredients
- 500g chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup plain flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cooking spray or a little vegetable oil
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to prepare your coconut chicken bites:
- Prepare the breading: In a shallow bowl, mix the desiccated coconut and breadcrumbs together. In another bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken: Dip each chicken piece into the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully covered. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally coat it with the coconut and breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure it sticks well.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 180°C and preheat for about 3 minutes.
- Cook the chicken: Arrange the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spray with cooking oil. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through, turning halfway.
- Serve: Once cooked, remove from the air fryer and let them cool slightly before serving. Accompany with a dip of your choice for added flavour.
Tips and Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add a dash of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture for an extra spice kick.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version of this recipe.
- Herb Infusion: Incorporate dried herbs like thyme or oregano for a herby twist.
- Storage: Store any leftover chicken bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes to retain crispiness.
Nutritional Information
These coconut chicken bites are not only delicious but also a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken nuggets. Here’s an approximate nutritional breakdown per serving:
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fibre: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
Conclusion
Coconut chicken bites are a versatile dish that easily fits into your meal plan, thanks to their quick preparation and use of the air fryer, which cuts down on oil without sacrificing taste or texture. We hope you enjoy making and, more importantly, eating this scrumptious recipe!