So, this is why I've been absent. While I was getting my body used to less food and a different "style" of food, I tried to keep things pretty simple. Certainly nothing I cooked during this time was really worthy of being on the blog. I promise that will change. Now that I've moved into "life must go on even while Melanie is on a diet" mode, I commit to being back here on a regular basis. What will you see? You'll likely see a few more recipes that are a bit more healthy as well as more flavorful from spices and marinades. Don't worry--- I still have a family that has zero interest in healthy eating, so I'm sure I'll be baking and making some not-so-low-cal meals and posting those, too.
Anyway, back to today's post. It was great timing to have my first post of 2013 be for the "first birthday" of the Sunday Supper movement! I can't even begin to tell you how much Sunday Supper has changed my life! I'm continually inspired by the wonderful women and men that make up the group. Their talents, both in and out of the kitchen, are a force to be reckoned with....
We are celebrating this week’s birthday event by choosing recipes from contributors that have inspired us in the past year. It was tough to choose, but I wanted to honor Sarah Lee from Crispy Bits and Burnt Ends for all the help that she's given me over the past few months. She's an amazing cook and a fabulous photographer.
One of her recipes, Crispy Coconut Chicken Strips with Sweet Chili Sauce, was really well received and got a ton of re-pins on Pinterest. I really wanted to try it, but with my new eating plan, I knew that I couldn't fry it like she did... so, I decided to lighten it up a bit. My version is below, but if you're not counting calories and don't mind the oil, definitely try the original version. I also used Sriracha in my sweet chili sauce instead of Sambal. I have an unhealthy addiction to Sriracha. I can't help it.
Ingredients
- chicken breast, cut into thin strips
- 2 egg whites, lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup panko crumbs
- 1/3 shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 2 Tbsp ketchup
- 1 Tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sriracha
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and generously spray with non-stick vegetable oil cooking spray. In a medium bowl, mix the panko crumbs and coconut. Take the chicken strips and dredge them in the beaten egg whites and then immediately dredge them in the panko/coconut mixture, coating well. Place strips on the lined baking sheet. Spray each strip with a spray of non-stick vegetable oil cooking spray. Bake for approximately 20 minutes, turning the chicken strips midway during baking while respraying the other side with more non-stick vegetable oil cooking spray.
While the chicken is baking, prepare the sauce in a small saucepan by combining the orange juice, ketchup, honey and sriracha. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat, and simmer for approximately 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and serve with the crispy coconut chicken.
Make sure you stop by the other Sunday Supper Contributors to see what inspires them! I can't wait to see everyone's twists on each others meals!
Sunday Supper Appetizers:
- Hot Spinach Parmesan Dip by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks inspired by Comfy Cuisine
- So Simple Pizza Puffs by The Weekend Gourmet inspired by Hip Foodie Mom
- Pepperoni and Mozzarella Pull Apart by Noshing With The Nolands inspired by In the Kitchen with KP
- Lasagna Soup by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen inspired by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Easy Italian Wedding Soup by Webicurean inspired by Family Foodie
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage Soup by Damn Delicious inspired by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Honey Butter Dinner Rolls by Dinners, Dishes and Desserts inspired by Chocolate Moosey
- Chicken Noodle Soup by Big Bears Wife inspired by My Catholic Kitchen
- Tomato Florentine Soup by Mama Mommy Mom inspired by The Meltaways
- Chicken Soup with Dumplings by Comfy Cuisine inspired by The Messy Baker
- Coconut Curry Chicken Soup by My Trials in the Kitchen inspired by Damn Delicious
- Portuguese Mussels and Shrimp in Chorizo Sauce by Supper for a Steal inspired by Family Foodie
- (GlutenFree) Chicken Bruschetta by The Meltaways inspired by Family Foodie
- Feijoada Portuguese Bean Stew by Kimchi Mom inspired by Family Foodie
- Lentils and Chorizo Stew by Galactosemia in PDX inspired by Vintage Kitchen
- Carnitas Pizza w/ Chipotle-Avocado Crema by girlichef inspired by Damn Delicious
- Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas by Country Girl in the Village inspired by Webicurean
- Drunken Meatballs by Small Wallet Big Appetite inspired by The Foodie Army Wife
- Goat Cheese Rigatoni Alfredo by Magnolia Days inspired by Family Foodie
- Beef Stroganoff by What Smells So Good? inspired by From Fast Food to Fresh Food
- Dorie’s Chicken-in-the-Pot by Hip Foodie Mom inspired by Gotta Get Baked
- Pulled Pickled Pork by Juanita’s Cocina inspired by Daily Dish Recipes
- Hoisin Asian Meatballs by Gotta Get Baked inspired by Damn Delicious
- Shrimp-Stuffed Twice Baked Potatoes by Daily Dish Recipes inspired by Juanita’s Cocina
- Soy, Orange Juice and Red Wine Marinade by Peanut Butter and Peppers inspired by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Chicken Burger with Curried Cabbage Slaw by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings inspired by Soni’s Food
- Corn and Basil Handpies by Curious Cuisiniere inspired by Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Lightened Up Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken by Cupcakes and Kale Chips inspired by The Meltaways
- Jalapeño Popper Chicken Chili by Food Lust People inspired by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Bigos by Maroc Mama inspired by From Fast Food to Fresh Food
- Crispy Coconut Chicken Strips with Sweet Chili Sauce by From Fast Food to Fresh Food inspired by Crispy Bits and Burnt Ends
- Pork Loin with Port Shallot Sauce by Bobbi’s Kozy Kitchen inspired by Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Sweet & Tender Brisket by Daddy Knows Less inspired by Juanita’s Cocina
- Fish Tacos by Cookistry inspired by Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Homemade Harissa by Masala Herb inspired by The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Spicy Seoulful Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Family Foodie inspired by Kimchi Mom
- New Orleans Style White Beans & Rice by Catholic Foodie inspired by The Hand that Rocks the Ladle
- Spice Rubbed Chicken Tacos with Tropical Salsa by The Urban Mrs. inspired by Family Foodie
- Mac n Cheese Cups with Pork Shoulder Ragu by Crispy Pieces and Burnt Ends inspired by Hip Foodie Mom
- Paella by My Cute Bride inspired by What Smells So Good?
- Carrots au Gratin by Shockingly Delicious inspired by Juanita’s Cocina
- Skillet Spinach Corn with Edamame, Cilantro & Bacon Bits by The Lovely Pantry inspired by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Chocolate Brownie Tart by That Skinny Chick Can Bake inspired by Magnolia Days
- Mexican Hot Cocoa Sandwich Cookies by Chocolate Moosey inspired by Juanita’s Cocina
- Cinnamon Apple Chimichangas by La Cocina de Leslie inspired by Juanita’s Cocina
- Apple Pull Apart Bread with Caramel Drizzle by Cravings of a Lunatic inspired by Gotta Get Baked
- Cherry Tart by Happy Baking Days inspired by Vintage Kitchen
- Orange Rolls by No One Likes Crumbley Cookies inspired by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Caramel Apple Bread by The Foodie Army Wife inspired by Fam Friends Food
- Rosettes by Simply Gourmet inspired by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Pumpkin Donut Puffs by Soni’s Food inspired by Daily Dish Recipes
- Chocolate Chip Cut-out Cookies by Basic and Delicious inspired by Chocolate Moosey
- Nutella Shortbread Bars by Kelly Bakes inspired by Baker Street
- Butterscotch Pudding Triple Chip Cookies by Mom’s Test Kitchen inspired by Dinner Dishes and Desserts
- Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream by The Messy Baker Blog inspired by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Coconut Cranberry Honey Nut Cookies by Mama’s Blissful Bites inspired by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Angel Cake Sandwiches by Ninja Baker inspired by That Skinny Girl Can Bake
- Soft Pretzels with Spicy Beer Cheese Sauce by Vintage Kitchen inspired by girlichef
- Sweet N Spicy Roasted Spiced Nuts by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz inspired by The Foodie Army Wife
- Spiced Pumpkin Ricotta Oat Muffins by In the Kitchen with Audrey inspired by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Budget Friendly Breakfast Freezable Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwiches by In the Kitchen with KP inspired by Big Bear’s Wife
- Raspberry Hot Chocolate by My Catholic Kitchen inspired by Momma’s Meals
We are excited to announce a New Addition: Tablescape by An Appealing Plan, Anniversay Dinner featuring Cheesecake with Fresh Berries orginally posted by The Messy Baker Blog
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 6:00 pm CT and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the#SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Also, check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here → Sunday Supper Movement.

Love this healthy version of chicken strips and I am sure it is way tastier than anything you could get from a drive-thru! Best of luck with your new program and I look forward to your spiced up recipes.
ReplyDeleteYour Crispy Coconut Chicken Strips look sooo good, Melanie. Love the combo of sweet coconut with the spicy sriracha and the always wonderful welcoming crispy chicken.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, too, on the healthier and lighter you.
I love coconut chicken and the sauce, oh yes please!! Love it!!
ReplyDeleteYumm so goo d- the sauce sounds fabulous too.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter would devour these in one second. She is all over these flavors right now!!
ReplyDeleteYum!! I remember when Sarah posted these, and I liked them then. Now I really need to get my butt in gear and make them!
ReplyDeleteWe go though a bottle of sriracha every few months. I use it instead of tobasco. My family thinks I'm crazy! LOL!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to hear you are moving to a healthier, more family cooking and a focus on smarter ingredients. Congrats. It's a great change and this recipe - baking instead of deep frying - is one example of how great food can taste with a simple change.
ReplyDeleteOh these chicken strips look so crunchy and delicious! YUM!
ReplyDeleteI have that addiction to sriracha too. I put it on everything. My husband just laughs cause I'm always adding it to what he thinks is strange. I even have a cookbook for it and need to explore some of those recipes too.
ReplyDeleteTHese look so amazing. Good for you for losing 8lbs so awesome! I'm trying to provide some healthier recipes too, but there is so much temptation for butter and fats lol
ReplyDeleteLove coconut chicken! I'm going to have to make this :) Congrats to you for losing 8lbs in two weeks--that's wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks really delicious! I love coconut chicken and the chili sauce seems right for it. I can't wait to try the recipe and eat it.
ReplyDeleteI needed you the other day when I wanted to do baked chicken strips but was afraid they wouldnt come out crispy enough for a blog post. Also keep up the great work with eating healthier! Lord knows I sure don't with a cheesecake and pie in the fridge right now.
ReplyDeleteOh I've wanting to try these ever since Sarah posted them!Love the addition of Sriracha and I cannot wait to try it :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats!! And nummy dinner too ;-)
ReplyDeleteWell done on the weight-loss already. I too am trying to loose the weight that has slowly creeped back up on me over this past year so I love the idea of a lighter version of this recipe. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your weight loss journey. This dish looks amazing. Who could feel like they were dieting eating this!
ReplyDeleteWonderful dish!! I love that Sriracha!!
ReplyDeleteCograts on the loss of 8 pounds, Melanie - what an amazing accomplishment! Seriously, I know how hard it is to lose weight by making lasting changes to one's diet (in other words, my changes never last) and exercise. I'm behind you all the way on your journey! I love this healthier take on Sarah's tantalizing chicken strips. It looks fabulous!
ReplyDeleteGreat endeavor on healthy eating! I really have to try this recipe! I'm sure it'll be a hit with the kidlings here!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't mind sinking my teeth into some of these. Yum!
ReplyDeleteFirst thank you so much for your kind words Melanie. I am so happy to have met you and call you my friend. Second, congrats on making the decision to become healthy. I know that the first few weeks are the toughest. I was so moody and crabby. I was mad at everyone else for eating what I wanted to eat. But I promise you it will get better. Before you know it, your healthy eating style will become second nature. Third, I totally apprecite your healthy take on my recipe. I would love to make this dish again with the healthy adjustments. You will always have my support and I will cheer you on from Illinois!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your weight lost, Melanie! This crispy coconut chicken strips looks so good and perfect for my house warming party!
ReplyDeleteOh, I like that you baked the chicken strips. That is a great idea. I have made them before as well but fried them - next time I will bake them as well :) I was laughing reading your post as I also have a serious addiction to Siracha ;) ~ Bea @ galactosemia in PDX
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious, and I totally relate to your Sriracha addiction!!
ReplyDeleteAllie from http://theurbanfeast.wordpress.com/