Baked Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Chicken Sticks (or chunks) with Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip

These Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Oven Crisped Chicken Sticks aka Chicken Fingers aka Chicken Chunks aka Chicken Batons, etc etc, are so perfectly crunchy/crispy, they taste deep-fried! The Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip served alongside gives it a nice punch!

Why so many names (and name changes) for them? You’ll find out soon.

Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Oven Crisped Chicken Sticks (or chunks) with Spicy Yogurt Dipping Sauce. So crispy ad crunchy that it tastes deep-fried!

For this month’s Secret Recipe Club, I was assigned the blog, Edesia’s Notebook  (love the name) authored and photographed by Lesa.  For the first time since I joined, I didn’t have the urge to grab some gorgeous dessert, which Lesa has plenty of, and play with it.  Instead, the same thought kept going through my head.

Just.make.dinner.

Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Oven Fried Chicken Strips with Spicy Yogurt Dipping Sauce

You don’t often see posts where I just make dinner, nothing fancy, nothing extravagant, nothing you would only make for a special occasion.  It’s not that I don’t have a decent amount of simple recipes, but I just felt the need to cook dinner and blog it.  I chose her Crunchy Lemon Chicken
and turned them into Crunchy Coconut Lime Chicken Sticks.

 

Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Oven Fried Chicken Strips with Spicy Yogurt Dipping Sauce

Anyway…of course I ended up futzing with it because I honestly believe it’s nearly impossible for me not to futz with recipes, and I think I say this in almost every post (annoying).

So, I cut each breast into strips (sticks), used key limes instead of lemons, and added soy sauce and garlic to the marinade.  I also added desiccated coconut to the panko bread crumbs and beat the eggs with coconut milk for the breading station, then mixed the flour into the eggs and coconut milk to make a dipping paste for the coconut and panko crumbs to stick to.  Add to that a few other minor alterations, like the baking time and temperature, and there you have it.

Otherwise, it’s just a dinner of crunchy, breaded chicken sticks, and it was delicious.  I think these are the crunchiest, most delicious baked chicken sticks (or strips or fingers or chunks aka nuggets) I’ve ever had, and kids will go absolutely berserk over these.  Just my completely biasedunbiased opinion.

Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Oven Fried Chicken Strips with Spicy Yogurt Dipping Sauce
All that said, even though they were flavorful enough as is, I decided to make a dip to go with them; a Spicy Greek Yogurt dip, or what I call a garbage dip, where you rummage through your fridge and cabinets and just throw something together. It was interesting and tasty, (it looks like Thousand Million Billion Trillion -a joke between me and my boo-Island dressing that sat out too long, doesn’t it?), but, again, the chicken sticks (strips/fingers/nuggets) had so much flavor, it really wasn’t needed.  But, I love dips with my chicken sticks, strips, fingers, or chunks/nuggets. I think it stems from my chicken nugget phase in High School. I always got two of each dipping sauce, and used up all of them.

Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Oven Fried Chicken Sticks (or chunks) with Spicy Greek Yogurt Dipping Sauce. So crunchy that it tastes deep-fried!

I hope you try these crispy baked chicken sticks (fingers/chunks/nuggets), and I hope you enjoy them!

Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Oven Crisped Chicken Sticks with Spicy Yogurt Dip

Baked Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Chicken Sticks (or nuggets) with Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Yield: About 4 servings
 
These crunchy baked chicken sticks (or nuggets) seriously taste deep-fried! If you don't like lime, use lemon.If you don't like lemon, use orange or another citrus. If you don't like citrus, leave it out entirely and just make coconut chicken sticks. If you don't like shredded coconut, just make simple panko breaded chicken sticks. These chicken sticks can be customized to your taste in so many ways!
ingredients:
Chicken
  • 2 key limes, zested and juiced. If you can't find key limes, use just 1 regular lime, juiced and zested.
  • ½ cup coconut milk
  • 4 tablespoons light soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 2 large garlic cloves, smashed and chopped finely
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 chicken breasts (About 1 lb) cut into 1-inch wide strips. Cut each strip in half horizontally to make 'nuggets', if desired.
  • ½ cup flour + ½ cup flour **
  • salt and pepper to season both measurements of flour
  • 2 eggs beaten with ¼ cup of coconut milk or coconut water
  • 1½ cups Panko breadcrumbs (lightly toast them first for an even crunchier coating!
  • ⅔ cup desiccated coconut shreds *
  • Oil spray, doesn't matter what kind
Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons your favorite Asian chile sauce (or less, depending on how much heat you like)
  • 1 small handful cilantro leaves, chopped
  • salt and pepper to taste
directions:
  1. In a bowl, stir together lime juice, zest, coconut milk, ginger, light soy sauce, garlic and salt. Add the chicken strips and stir until they're completely coated with the marinade. You can also pour the marinade with the chicken strips, into a ziplock bag, which is what I did. Marinate for 4 to 5 hours at the most..stirring the strips in the bowl of marinade or squeezing around the bag every hour to an hour and a half to insure even marinating.
  2. Line a large baking sheet with foil sprayed lightly with oil. (you can optionally place a rack over the foil lined sheet pan, and spray it with oil, to place the chicken strips on, but it's okay if you don't)
  3. In a wide bowl,miix the ½ cup of flour (or more if needed to make a paste) , salt and pepper and egg/coconut milk mixture together to form a paste like batter. Place the remaining ½ cup flour plus a pinch of salt and pepper, in another bowl, and place the toasted panko and dessicated coconut together in another wide bowl. Remove the chicken strips from the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F*** see notes
  4. Lift up each chicken strip and shake off some of the marinade so it isn't overly-saturated. Lightly coat each chicken strip in the bowl with ½ cup seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Dip each floured chicken strip in the batter/paste, knocking off any excess, then dredge both sides in the panko - dessicated coconut mixture, pressing it well onto each strip. Place each chicken strip on the oiled baking sheet (or the oiled rack over the baking sheet) and continue until all chicken has been coated.
  5. Lightly spray some oil on the breaded chicken strips, then bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown, turning them over half way through. IMPORTANT - Do not let them sit on the baking sheet once out of the oven. Transfer them to a wire rack if not eating within a few minutes, or the bottoms will get soggy.
  6. Make the Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip. Mix all the ingredients together, then cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to let the flavors mingle.
notes:
* If you can't find desiccated coconut, you can use unsweetened, shredded coconut. If you can't find unsweetened, shredded coconut, sweetened is fine.
** If you have RICE FLOUR on hand, use that instead. Even crunchier chicken strips!

[b]***[/b ]If you prefer, you can also deep fry the chicken strips or nuggets. Heat about 1-inch of a neutral oil (like vegetable oil) in a shallow pan to 375F. Deep fry about 2 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Place on a paper towel lined wire rack to absorb any extra oil while you finish frying the rest of the strips. To keep them warm while frying the remaining strips/nuggets, place on a baking sheet and put them in 200F oven until they're all ready to serve..

If you get a chance, please click on the blue frog below to see all the amazing dishes recreated by Group A of The Secret Recipe Club.  Also, click on over to Edesia’s Notebook for some fantastic sweet and savory recipes!


These Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Oven Fried Chicken Strips aka Chicken Fingers aka Chicken Nuggets, are so perfectly crunchy/crispy, they taste deep-fried! Also, a recipe for Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip to go along with it if you like to dip! #chickenstrips #chickenfingers #chickennuggets #keylime #coconut #baked #lime #chicken #crunchy #greekyogurtdip
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Crunchy Coconut Baked Chicken Sticks (or chunks) with Spicy Greek Yogurt Dipping Sauce. So CRISPY/CRUNCHY that it tastes deep-fried! #chicken #coconut #panko #breadedchicken #chickensticks #chicken #bakedchicken #coconutchicken #keylime
These Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Oven Fried Chicken Strips aka Chicken Fingers aka Chicken Nuggets, are so perfectly crunchy/crispy, they taste deep-fried! Also, a recipe for Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip to go along with it if you like to dip! #chickenstrips #chickenfingers #chickennuggets #keylime #coconut #baked #lime #chicken #crunchy #greekyogurtdip
These Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Oven Fried Chicken Strips aka Chicken Fingers aka Chicken Nuggets, are so perfectly crunchy/crispy,they taste deep-fried! Also, a recipe for Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip to go along with it if you like to dip! #chickenstrips #chickenfingers #chickennuggets #keylime #coconut #baked #lime #chicken #crunchy #greekyogurtdip

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77 Responses to Baked Crunchy Coconut Key Lime Chicken Sticks (or chunks) with Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip

  1. cookingrookie says:

    Wow, that’s so flavorful, fresh and beautiful! Great pick for SRC :-). I am pinning it to try later and to share the yum! Happy Easter and have a great week!

  2. ohmygoodness, I am a chicken strips kinda girl and these sound amazing!

  3. sara says:

    Mmm, this chicken looks fantastic – love adding coconut to the breading, sounds super delicious!

  4. A gorgeous recipe! Those chicken strips must be so crunchy and flavorful.

    What a story… Can’t wait for part 10!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  5. Sounds like a great chicken strip recipe-great pick!

  6. susie says:

    I love this….I get sucked in reading this delicious story, and then here comes a photo of some great looking chicken and garbage dip!!!! Hahaha you are amazing. I hope things settle down for you….

  7. Delicious. Sorry to hear that you had a hard time at the beginning.

  8. Sorry to hear about someone passing and your father being ill. I hope he gets better soon. I love what you did with the chicken. The coconut and lime sound like an amazing combo!

  9. Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies says:

    Hope your dad is doing better. Even though you futzed with the recipe, I think you did it justice. I love the idea of lime and coconut chicken strips!

  10. Hey Lisa, I hope everything is going okay and your dad is getting well. I’m still very hooked on this story and am looking forward to the rest whenever you have a chance to write them.

  11. Shelley C says:

    I am absolutely going to try those chicken strips. And that is SO something that would have happened to me, with the pin!! LOL. Still sending love and hugs your way.

  12. Cathy says:

    Wow, those chicken fingers looks SO good!

  13. Beautiful recipe, Lisa! I love the flavors…

    Lisa, I am so sorry for your loss… And while the story is just thrilling, I don’t think you need to worry too much about leaving us hanging… just take your time and write the rest when your dad is better and you are feeling up to it!

  14. I am sorry to hear about your father. Your adaptions to these chicken fingers sound perfect. Love the idea of the coconut!

  15. Hope things get better for you Lisa, sorry to hear of loosing someone and about your dad. I like this recipe and the flavors too, the pictures are really good. Of course the story is great and takes me out of reality for a few minutes which is nice.
    love to you xoxoxo

  16. Tandy says:

    wishing you a belated Chag Sameach, and a long life. Blessings to you and your family – Tandy

  17. Dan says:

    I like the chicken fingers they look crunchalicious. If you can create a great dip out of “garbage” I want to taste the dips you create from fresh ingredients. This guy was a very calm person… don’t think I’d be getting something from the trunk in that situation. Crack me up about hoping he was “illiterate” funny stuff :).

  18. I want to know the ending!! In the meantime, those strips look absolutely delicious – I love the crunchy coconut coating and zing of lime…nom nom!

  19. Can’t decide which I like better, the chicken or the story. I *LOVE* the chicken, so that should tell you how much I love your story. I don’t want it to end. Fix it. 🙂

  20. Hi Lisa,
    I hope all is better in your world! These chicken strips sound delicious and just the kind of thing my boys love – will have to try them when the oldest comes home (in exactly 4 weeks… but I’m not counting or anything!:-)

  21. Jenni says:

    I am soooo making these! Maybe even for dinner tonight!! Plus, we should have a tutoring session on how to photography chicken because you did an awesome job!!

  22. junglefrog says:

    So sorry to hear about your dad Lisa. I hope it’s going better now but I can imagine you had other things on your mind. Still I totally enjoyed part 9 of the series and can’t wait for the sequel. You should seriously write a novel!

  23. I love the addition of coconut in the chicken strips, and that dip sounds fantastic!!! Hugs, Terra

  24. I can’t edit my comment…I wanted to let you know I am sending you light and love during this tough time. oxox, Terra

  25. rhisomers says:

    Looks like restaurant quality to me.

  26. jamielifesafeast says:

    Hope your dad is doing well. And hope you are taking care of yourself so you can help him get better. xoxo

  27. Sue says:

    Lisa, I hope your father is on the mend! I’m sorry to hear about the “sudden passing”. Life sure is difficult at times:( Hang in there, my friend. XO.
    Your chicken strips look amazing; I can almost hear the CRUNCH! They remind me of the coconut shrimp I had in Hawaii:)

  28. Dinavia says:

    So sorry to hear all that has been happening in your life. My best wishes and prayers to your family! I loved this part of the story…action filled! Looking forward, as usual, to the next part. I’m making these chicken fingers this weekend, they do look super crunchy and I lkove the coconut lime flavor!

  29. Crumbs of Love says:

    Hope your dad is doing better Lisa and that you were able to enjoy passover. I was in Yellowstone National Park over the weekend and picked up some matzo ball soup (my favorite).

  30. samology says:

    It’s not just kids, but I would probably go nuts over this too!! And yeah, I’m the same way such that I can never leave a recipe untouched! Some way or another they’d get modified when they’re in my hands! haha.. Anyway, hope your dad is doing better!! Take care dear Lisa!

  31. Jenny says:

    Lisa these look so good! I love anything coconut!

  32. teaandscones says:

    What a great way to make dinner. Chicken strips are always a hit here. And these would be no exception.

  33. I am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for the rest of the story. However also hoping that your family is doing okay, keeping you in my prayers and maybe the writing will help settle you. On a side not the chicken dish looks fabulous, but your writing rocks. Take care, BAM

  34. Hope your doing well, a delish dinner and a story… you spoil use, your a talented writer…keep them coming!!

  35. Cake Duchess says:

    Teasing us again with another cliffhanger on this fun story. This chicken is what I need to make tonight. I love coconut and lime and that sauce…just for me b/c it’s spicy the way I like it:)Your photos are so pretty. I’m sending you tons of hugs and love. xx

  36. Coconut just went on my grocery list…this sounds fabulous. I would probably want a sauce too but I’m thinking honey mustard. But then I could probably eat honey mustard sauce with a spoon so it’s my go to for fried anything and this is fried Heaven!

  37. Best looking chicken strips EVER. Oh no, the age bomb! Very sorry again for your sudden loss.

  38. Sorry to hear things have been rough Lisa, I hope your dad feels better real soon.
    My kids love chicken strips but I have never made them with coconut. This sounds like an amazing new twist

  39. bunkycooks says:

    Lots of hugs from me. I know how hard it has been. I hope things start looking up soon so you can get back to writing and cooking/baking. 🙂

  40. Tina says:

    hi!,your love story is awesome! I love your writing so much! Romantic, but Many laughs! Please don’t end it in part 11!

  41. Lisa~~ says:

    Your chicken looks wonderful…of course. Hugs to you and hope that your Dad is doing better. Talk soon.

  42. These chicken fingers look so delicious, but your story is twice as delicious…you’re such a character!!

  43. Leo says:

    You’ve got a major gift in the way you write, so honest and real. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers such as you who are not afraid to let it all out, bumps and all. Always follow your heart. Love the chicken fingers!

  44. this recipe looks lovely and delicious! if you have a minute, I would love for you to come link up on my blog!
    http://successful2gether.blogspot.com/2012/04/successful-saturday-link-up-week-8.html

  45. Ellie says:

    Just wanted to let you know I made these last night and they were crazy good! We had a few people over and they begged me to make another batch because the first batch was gone in about 5 minutes! Thank you so much for this recipe, I’ll be making it for life!

  46. Steve says:

    You have a natural expertise in writing. Love your passion and details. Memories are eventually meant to be shared, and you’ve done a fantastic job of that.

  47. Mmmmmm…delicious SRC post, Lisa! And I hope your dad is doing better…

  48. You had me at coconut. Glad you decided to blog dinnner – there’s nothing wrong with simple recipes that people might actually make 🙂 Sending hugs and positive thoughts your way.

  49. Really enjoying the story, looking forward to part 11! The chicken strips look so perfectly crunchy, excellent!

  50. The crunchy chicken strips look to die for! What a fabulous post Lisa! Can’t wait to read the next part. 🙂

  51. Katie says:

    These are the BEST baked chicken fingers I have ever had! My family agrees! Thank you so much for this recipe!

  52. Valerie says:

    Great looking chicken! I love panko breadcrumbs, they have such a nice crisp.

    Woah, guess this guy was a REAL bad boy after all! You write him as being so sweet with you, I’d kind of forgotten that was his initial appeal.

  53. i thought I’m the only one saying ” No, I’m awake, I’m just resting my eyes :))))
    Great recipe choice Lisa

  54. Sophie33 says:

    Those coated chicken strips look so tasty, appetizing & well flavoured too! I will make them today! thanks for this lovely post, Lisa! 😉 xxx

  55. RecipeNewZ says:

    These were love from first sight!

  56. Erica says:

    Loved making this delicious recipe!!

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  60. Wanda Vinson says:

    Any idea what the carb count is?

    • Lisa says:

      Hi, Wanda. I’m sorry, but I don’t currently have a program that calculates the nutritional content of my recipes. However, I’m pretty sure there are carb counters online where you enter the ingredients for a recipe and it gives you the amount of carbs. I haven’t found one that isn’t a a bit too involved yet, but I’ll keep looking 🙂

  61. Denise says:

    i just made this last night and a huge hit. making it again today for the Super Bowl. I was looking for a Panko replacement and found this recipe on PInterest. I had almost all the ingredients EXCEPT the Panko. so I improvised and will do another variation again. I had some leftover sweet potato chips (not made at home). So I crunched them up finely and had to add some other stuff. worked terrifically. will get more chips and crunch them up. thanks so much for the great recipe.

    • Lisa says:

      I’m so glad they were a hit, Denise! I like the idea of sweet potato chip crumbs!! I think I need to try that! Very clever! You made this recipe your own! 🙂

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  63. Anne says:

    What is the nutritional value of this recipe please

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  65. Cynthia says:

    These chicken sticks were incredible! They really do taste deepfried! I didn’t make the dip because they didn’t need them. Thank you!

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