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Switching up the average weeknight meal with fun Coconut Chicken Fingers with Bang Bang Sauce. This coconut chicken is breaded in sweet coconut and sesame seeds, then oven-baked, and dipped in a spicy, tangy, creamy restaurant-style bang bang sauce. Serve these coconut chicken tenders along with extra limes and green onions and add a bowl of coconut or cilantro rice (or cook up some baked french fries). You’ll end up with coconut chicken strips in this recipe that everyone will love.
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You all, I almost forgot all about these chicken fingers. Originally, I didn’t want to share the recipe, so I set it aside and forgot about it for a couple of weeks. That wasn’t smart. You see, I’d decided that I didn’t like the photos – but the recipe was great. Sometimes I’ll do that, not share a delicious recipe simply because I don’t love the photos.
But then I came back to it, adjusted a few things, and now I’m beyond excited to finally share these delicious chicken fingers. I also have to note, Creighton loves these. I think I made them four times over the last few months. This means it’s time to share the recipe!
Ingredients
- Cornflakes
- Shredded unsweetened coconut
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Sesame seeds
- Large Eggs
- Hot sauce or Tamari
- Boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper
Bang Bang Sauce for dipping sauce
- Mayo
- Sweet Thai chili sauce
- Coconut aminos
- Hot sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Garlic clove
- Lime zest
I’m sure we’re all familiar with coconut shrimp, and honestly, probably coconut chicken too. It’s served at a lot of restaurants. You’ll often notice that it’s served with a bang bang sauce, which is usually a combination of mayo and chili sauce. And if it’s house-made probably a few other ingredients too.
Creighton would always tell me that I need to recreate the entire meal at home. He’s a big chicken fingers guy (he loves my baked chicken fingers). And we all know how much he loves the sauces.
I thought this could be a fun, colorful, spring recipe to share. I’m so glad I decided to come back to it!
Here are the details
If you’ve made any of my breaded chicken recipes, you’re already very familiar with this process.
To start, blend up the crumbs. For these chicken fingers, I went with a combination of cornflakes, unsweetened shredded coconut, and sesame seeds. I like to quickly crush the crumbs in the food processor with some paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. This coconut mixture makes all of the difference on these tenders!
If you don’t have a food processor, here is a tip. Simply add the cornflakes to a ziplock bag (or use the cornflake bag itself). Then step on the bag with your feet to finely crush them. Or use your hands, but honestly, crushing them with your feet (I know it sounds weird) works best.
Now toss the chicken with a couple of beaten eggs and some hot sauce. Dredge the chicken through the crumbs.
Next, bake the chicken in the oven until it crisps all over. My secret is to gently dab/brush the chicken with olive oil before it bakes. This helps the coating to really crisp up nicely in the oven.
And for the sauce, sweet Thai chili sauce, mayo, lime, and seasonings. Mix everything up and that’s it. A delicious sweet chili sauce!
In addition to the bang bang sauce, I like to mix extra sweet Thai chili sauce with ketchup and lime. Totally optional, but a nice sauce to serve too.
It is SO GOOD with the creaminess of the bang bang sauce.
The chicken is a touch crispy, and sweet, but not at all too sweet. The sauce is spicy, creamy, and tangy. Put everything together it turns into the yummiest chicken fingers meal. So much (really) good flavor.
Looking for more recipes? Here are a few to try:
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Sheet Pan Honey Garlic Chicken and Feta Potatoes
Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Buffalo Cauliflower with Spicy Tahini Ranch
Lastly, if you make this Coconut Chicken Fingers with Bang Bang Sauce, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Coconut Chicken Fingers with Bang Bang Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 cups cornflakes
- 1 1/2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce or tamari (use preferred taste)
- 2 pounds boneless chicken tenders
- extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
Bang Bang Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/3 cup sweet Thai chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons coconut aminos (or tamari soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice viengar
- 1 small clove garlic, grated
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.2. In a food processor, combine the coconut, cornflakes, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until you have fine crumbs. Mix in the sesame seeds. Dump the crumbs into a shallow bowl.3. Beat the eggs in a bowl and add the hot sauce. Add the chicken and toss well to coat.3. Dredge the chicken through the crumbs, covering fully. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake 15-20 minutes, until crisp all around.4. To make the sauce: combine all ingredients in a bowl. 5. Serve the chicken with limes, green onions, and bang bang sauce for dipping. Add extra chili sauce mixed with a couple tablespoons of ketchup for a little double-dip action. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Made this tonight. Will definitely make it again. I made both sauces and enjoyed the second one better. Probably only because it was a bit spicier.
Hi Patricia,
Wonderful!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for trying it out! xT
Thank you so much for your recipes! I haven’t felt like cooking in so long, and you have really inspired me🤍
I follow you on Instagram now too😊 Have a wonderful evening~
Mandy K.
Hey Mandy,
Happy Monday!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! Thanks for your kind message! xx
The chicken and sauce were both Bang Bang! Who knew…corn flakes? Magic. I haven’t had corn flakes as a cereal since I was a kid, but found a Trader Joe’s brand. I only had boneless chicken thighs which I pounded and cut into strips. Next time I think I’ll roast the sesame seeds before adding to the dry mix before beading. The sauce is a must. I only had spicy Thai chili so added honey to give the sweetness. I will definitely make this over and over. — Corn flakes! Tieghan you’re a genius.
Hey there,
Awesome!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xT
Excellent! The chicken was tender on the inside and crunchy on the outside. I mistakenly used sweetened coconut and it turned out just fine. I also added a little honey to the sauce! I eliminated the hot sauce but used a hot paprika . It was a hit! Cut into small bites, this would make a fantastic appetizer!
Hi Margaret,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, I am so glad it turned out well for you! Happy Sunday! xT
This recipe is the bomb!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks so much Kathleen!! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it! xT
Just made this for dinner. The chicken fingers were so crunchy. The sauce did not have the tamari soya sauce, so used dark, big mistake on my part. But sauce had a good bite, thank you from Canada
Hey Betty,
Happy Monday!! So glad to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xx
I made the coconut chicken fingers with bang bang sauce the other day. They were so good and that sauce was delicious! This will be fun to make over and over and everyone will love it!
Hey Helen,
Happy Sunday!! 🍉🍓🫐 I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it and your comment! xT
Making these yummies tonight for my husband and a friend. Any suggestions for sides? Maybe rice? Would love other ideas!
Thank you in advance!
Hey Patty,
Rice or fries would be great! A salad would work too:) I hope this recipe turns out well for you! Happy Sunday! xT
Hi! Are the chicken tenders spicy? Planning to make them for my little kids tonight so wondering if I should adjust and remove the hot sauce. Thanks!
Hi Annie,
The chicken tenders themselves are not spicy, the bang bang sauce has a little kick, but you could skip the hot sauce. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xT
Hi! The IG video shows the eggs mixed with soy not hot sauce? Just wanted to double check before I try making! Thank you!
Hi Corrianne,
Are you sure you aren’t looking at the video for chicken pretzel recipe? You can follow the instructions as written for this:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
Do you think I could use tofu instead of the chicken?
Hey Christina,
Sure, I don’t see why that wouldn’t work for you! Please let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
These were perfect! We made a little rice and drizzled the sauce on top of the tenders and rice for dinner and it was hit. Easy to make on a week night- these will definitely go in our rotation.
Hey Courtney,
Fantastic!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks for making it and sharing your review:)
I’m sorry–USE YOUR FEET to smash cornflakes? Are you insane? Ever heard of a rolling pin? Girly, these recipes are getting more and more unhinged.
Deal with it, Nat. There are more important things to get upset about. You’re the one that appears unhinged. Maybe step away from the internet and into a therapist’s office.
Use a rolling pin if that’s your bag. She can do whatever she wants, including run them over with an ATV. Chill. It’s no big deal.
The recipes are fine. The hysterical haters are what’s getting more and more unhinged. I feel sorry for you if this is how you pass your time. 🤦♀️
I just used corn flake crumbs that you buy! Easy and worked just fine!
She probably just wrote that to annoy you. In which case, I salute her.
So ironic that you posted this today because I just made coconut chicken fingers last night, and my recipe was almost identical aside from Panko instead of cornflakes. I really wish I had had the bang bang sauce recipe to go with it. I just made the sauce, and it is amazing! Thanks so much for always providing such great recipes!
Hey Angela,
Lol great minds think alike!! Let me know if you give this one a try, the bang bang sauce is sooo good! xT
Has anyone tried these in the air fryer? Details please!
Hi Jennifer,
I just posted this recipe a few hours ago, so not sure that anyone has made them just yet, but I bet they would turn out well in the air fryer! Let me know if you give it a try! xx
What would be a good substitute for cornflakes?
Corn allergy
Hi there,
You could use rice Chex or wheaties, anything that isn’t too sweet but similar to a corn flake will work! Please let me know if I can help in any other way! xT
Would love to know this also especially the Time and temp for air fryer
Hi Michelle,
I haven’t tested this in the air fryer, so I cannot give you the specific time and temp, but I bet it would work well for you:)
Could these be adapted to the air fryer?
That is my question too!
Hey Erika,
Totally, I bet that would work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope it’s a hit! xx