Crispy Buttermilk-Coconut Chicken Bites
Indulge in a heavenly snack or lunch option with these Crispy Buttermilk-Coconut Chicken Bites. Coated in a flavorful blend of coconut and a light, airy batter, these chicken nuggets are deep-fried to golden perfection. The buttermilk and beer batter ensures each bite is moist and tender, while the shredded coconut adds a delightful crunch and tropical flair. Perfect for sharing with friends and family or enjoying on your own, these chicken bites will be a sunny addition to any meal. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra touch of deliciousness.
N/A
Servings
450
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Egg
1 (beaten)
Buttermilk
1/2 cup (plain)
Beer
1/2 cup (light, such as lager or ale)
Cake Flour
5 ounces (sifted)
Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon (plain)
Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon (plain)
Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (plain)
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
2 lbs (cut into 1-inch pieces)
Grated Coconut
2 cups (unsweetened)
All-Purpose Flour
1 cup (more if needed for coating)
Oil
for deep-frying (like vegetable or peanut oil)
Instructions
1
Begin by heating oil in a heavy pot or deep fryer, ensuring it reaches 350°F (175°C) for optimal frying.
2
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, and beer until well combined.
3
In a separate bowl, mix together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet eggs and buttermilk mixture, stirring until a smooth batter forms. The batter should resemble the consistency of thin pancake batter.
4
Prepare the chicken by cutting boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch square pieces, or larger if desired. Dredge each piece in all-purpose flour, ensuring they are fully coated.
5
Next, dip the floured chicken pieces into the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
6
Roll each chicken piece in the grated coconut until completely covered in a thick layer.
7
Carefully place the coated chicken bites into the hot oil, frying in small batches for about 4-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
8
Once cooked, remove the chicken bites from the oil and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Nutrition Information
25g
Fat
37.5g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Buttermilk-Coconut Chicken Bites?
These are chicken nuggets coated in a flavorful blend of coconut and a light, airy batter made with buttermilk and beer, then deep-fried to golden perfection.
What is the recommended temperature for frying the chicken?
The oil should be heated in a heavy pot or deep fryer until it reaches 350°F (175°C) for optimal frying.
What liquids are used in the batter mixture?
The wet mixture consists of one beaten egg, 1/2 cup of plain buttermilk, and 1/2 cup of light beer such as lager or ale.
Which dry ingredients are included in the batter?
The batter uses 5 ounces of sifted cake flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt.
What should the consistency of the batter look like?
The batter should be stirred until smooth and should resemble the consistency of thin pancake batter.
How should I prepare the chicken breasts?
Cut 2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch square pieces, or larger if you prefer.
What is the first step in coating the chicken?
The first step is to dredge each piece of chicken in all-purpose flour to ensure they are fully coated before dipping them in the wet mixture.
How is the coconut applied to the chicken?
After dipping the floured chicken into the buttermilk batter, roll each piece in 2 cups of unsweetened grated coconut until completely covered.
How long do the chicken bites need to fry?
The chicken bites should be fried in small batches for approximately 4-5 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through.
How do I remove excess oil from the cooked chicken?
Once cooked, remove the chicken bites from the oil and drain them on paper towels to absorb any excess oil.
What type of beer is best for this recipe?
A light beer, such as a lager or an ale, is recommended for the batter.
Can I use sweetened coconut?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 cups of unsweetened grated coconut to achieve the best flavor and crunch.
How many calories are in a serving of these chicken bites?
There are approximately 450 calories per serving of this dish.
How much protein is in this recipe?
This recipe contains 30 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 25 grams of fat in each serving of these chicken bites.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
The dish contains 37.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What kind of oil should I use for deep-frying?
A high-smoke point oil like vegetable or peanut oil is recommended for frying the chicken bites.
Why is cake flour used instead of regular flour in the batter?
Cake flour helps create a lighter, airier texture for the batter compared to standard all-purpose flour.
Is buttermilk necessary for this recipe?
Yes, buttermilk helps keep the chicken moist and tender while adding a subtle tang to the flavor profile.
What are the main tags for this recipe?
This recipe is tagged as deep-fried, chicken nuggets, buttermilk, coconut, snack, finger food, comfort food, and crispy chicken bites.
How much chicken do I need?
You will need 2 lbs of boneless skinless chicken breasts.
What equipment is needed to prepare the chicken bites?
You will need a heavy pot or deep fryer, two mixing bowls, a whisk, and paper towels for draining.
Do I need to sift the cake flour?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 5 ounces of sifted cake flour for the batter.
Can I make these in a deep fryer?
Yes, a deep fryer is an excellent tool for maintaining the required 350°F (175°C) temperature.
What should I serve with these chicken bites?
They are best served with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra touch of deliciousness.
Is the chicken cooked in one large batch?
No, it is important to fry the chicken in small batches to ensure they cook evenly and the oil temperature remains stable.
What is the purpose of baking powder and baking soda in the batter?
These leavening agents help create a light and airy texture in the fried coating.
How do I prepare the egg?
The egg should be beaten before being added to the buttermilk and beer mixture.
What gives the chicken bites a tropical flair?
The addition of 2 cups of grated coconut provides a delightful tropical flavor and extra crunch.
What is the purpose of the all-purpose flour in this recipe?
The all-purpose flour is used as a base dredge to help the buttermilk batter adhere better to the chicken pieces.