Sweet Chili Popcorn Chicken

20m
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Combine unsweetened shredded coconut with panko breadcrumbs on a baking sheet.
  2. 2Drizzle with canola oil and bake until toasted.
  3. 3Cut boneless, skinless chicken thighs into 1 1/2-inch pieces.
  4. 4In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, sweet chili sauce, ground ginger, garlic powder, salt, and onion powder.
  5. 5Add the chicken pieces to the mayonnaise mixture and toss to coat.
  6. 6Transfer the toasted coconut mixture to a shallow dish and stir in cornstarch.
  7. 7Take the chicken from the marinade and press it firmly into the coconut-cornstarch mixture to coat it.
  8. 8Place the coated chicken pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  9. 9Drizzle with a little more canola oil.
  10. 10Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) until golden and crispy, flipping halfway through, for about 15 to 20 minutes.
  11. 11While the chicken cooks, prepare the sweet chili sauce by combining sweet chili sauce, ketchup, soy sauce, and lime juice in a small bowl.
  12. 12Stir the sweet chili sauce mixture together.
  13. 13Brush the sweet chili sauce liberally over the cooked chicken.
  14. 14Transfer chicken to a bowl and sprinkle with thinly sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs)
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 0.25 cup cornstarch
  • 0.25 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce (such as Mae Ploy®)
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs
  • 0.5 cup sweet chili sauce (such as Mae Ploy®)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons lower-sodium soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
  • thinly sliced scallions
  • toasted sesame seeds

Equipment

baking sheetmeasuring cupsmeasuring spoonsknifecutting boardlarge bowlspatulashallow dishparchment papersmall bowlwhiskbasting brush

Tips

  • Doubling the recipe to make sure you have leftovers is a must.
  • Let the breading set for 5 minutes before baking to ensure crispiness.