Gluten-Free Crunchy Coconut Chicken Bites

Gluten-free crunchy coconut chicken nuggets are scrumptious bites from tropical heaven. Baked, not fried, mimics the texture and flavor of being a perfectly fried bite of yumminess.

Coconut Chicken Bites

I have something to admit. I miss fried food. Especially coconut shrimp (Hello, Outback!) Oh, and let’s not forget about fried chicken bites, nuggets, and strips.  There is something exotic and tropical about coconut shrimp and nothing reminds me of homestyle cooking like fried chicken.

I have not been brave enough to try my hand at making coconut shrimp, but I have copied the flavors with her close cousin, the gluten-free crunchy coconut chicken bites.  Here’s the big secret, these scrumptious bites from tropical heaven are not fried. No, no they are not. But they are baked.

The Honey Nut Chex cereal coating mimics the texture and flavor of being a perfectly fried bite of yumminess. This recipe is not difficult, especially if you have a food processor. Don’t worry, my friend, if you don’t have one. You too can still make these tropical crowd pleasers.

Serve these gluten-free crunchy coconut chicken bites at your next party or make dinner a tropical delight. Oh, and don’t forget to dip these beauties in the orange sauce.

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Gluten-Free Crunchy Coconut Chicken Bites

Gluten-free crunchy coconut chicken nuggets are scrumptious bites from tropical heaven. Baked, not fried, mimics the texture and flavor of being a perfectly fried bite of yumminess.

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword coconut chicken, gluten-free chicken nuggets, gluten-free coconut chicken

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 33 minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 284 kcal

Author Audrey

Ingredients

• 2 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal It is a gluten-free cereal
• 1 cup of sweetened shredded coconut
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1x1-inch pieces nugget size
• 1 /2 cup of mayonnaise
• Orange marmalade dipping sauce

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray.
3.  Crush Honey Nut Chex cereal in a food processor.  If you do not have a food processor, you can easily crush the cereal by placing in a plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin.
4. Add the crushed cereal and coconut to a large plastic storage bag. (Think Shake and Bake)
5. Cut your chicken into nugget sized pieces. I find it easiest to cut the breasts in half and then cut the halves in half again. Then cut the quarter chicken breast pieces into nugget sized pieces.
6. Put chicken into a bowl of mayonnaise and stir to coat the chicken evenly with mayonnaise.
7. Place the mayonnaise-covered chicken pieces in the plastic storage bag of cereal and coconut mixture. Turn the plastic storage bag over and over until the chicken pieces are coated evenly.
8. Place chicken on a large greased baking sheet.
9. Bake for 18-20 to minutes; until the coating is light golden brown. All ovens are different, so please watch the chicken towards the end so the coconut does not burn.
10.  Serve with melted orange marmalade.

Recipe Notes

Mama says "Check all of your labels!"

Nutrition Facts

Gluten-Free Crunchy Coconut Chicken Bites

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 284 Calories from Fat 90

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 10g 15%

Saturated Fat 7g 35%

Cholesterol 36mg 12%

Sodium 301mg 13%

Potassium 399mg 11%

Total Carbohydrates 36g 12%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 12g

Protein 15g 30%

Vitamin A 6.9%

Vitamin C 5.6%

Calcium 7.2%

Iron 56.3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.