Crispy Coconut Chicken with Thai-Inspired Salad

This Crispy Coconut Chicken is incredibly delicious, and it offers an elegant balance of textures and flavours. The golden, coconut-crusted chicken provides a rich, satisfying crunch, while the accompanying Thai-inspired salad brings a refreshing vibrancy to the plate. The dish is designed to be both approachable and impressive, perfect for those who want to elevate their home cooking with minimal complexity.

This Crispy Coconut Chicken recipe focuses on layering flavours and textures with precision—from the delicate crunch of the desiccated coconut to the nuanced tang of the salad dressing. It’s a testament to how simple, high-quality ingredients can be transformed into a dish that feels cohesive and thoughtfully composed.

You can watch me make it here.

Table of Contents

• Ingredient Breakdown
• The Key to Perfectly Crispy Coconut Chicken
• What the Thai-Inspired Salad Adds to the Crispy Coconut Chicken
• How to Serve Your Crispy Coconut Chicken
• Why this Crispy Coconut Chicken Stands Out
• More Chicken Recipes

Ingredient Breakdown

• Chicken thighs or breasts: Thighs bring juiciness and richness, while breasts are a leaner alternative. Both work wonderfully, depending on your preference.
• Cornflour: Helps create a light, crispy coating while locking in the chicken’s natural moisture.
• Eggs: Bind the coating to the chicken, ensuring it stays intact while cooking.
• Desiccated coconut: Adds a sweet, nutty crunch to the chicken, giving it a unique texture and flavour.
• Coconut oil: Complements the desiccated coconut and ensures the chicken cooks evenly while adding subtle richness.
• Chilli, garlic, fish sauce, lime juice, honey: These dressing ingredients create a sweet-savoury-tangy flavour profile that ties the dish together beautifully.
• Pointed cabbage, carrot, cherry tomatoes, green beans: Fresh, crunchy vegetables that form the base of the Thai-inspired salad.
• Roasted peanuts and fresh coriander: Add crunch and herbaceous brightness to the salad, making it feel complete.

The Key to Perfectly Crispy Coconut Chicken

Achieving the perfect Crispy Coconut Chicken starts with preparation. First, pounding the chicken to an even thickness ensures even cooking. Uneven pieces can lead to undercooked centres or burnt edges, so don’t skip this step.

When it comes to dredging, patience is key. Coat each piece thoroughly, starting with cornflour to create a dry base, followed by egg for stickiness, and finally the desiccated coconut for that golden crust. Press the coconut onto the chicken to ensure it adheres well—this makes all the difference in achieving a uniform coating.

Cooking over medium-low heat is another crucial step. Coconut burns easily, so keeping the heat moderate allows the chicken to cook through while the coating turns golden and crisp. If the pan starts smoking, reduce the heat and wait a minute before adding the next batch.

What the Thai-Inspired Salad Adds to the Crispy Coconut Chicken

The Thai-inspired salad serves as more than just a side—it’s an integral component of the dish. Its crisp vegetables and vibrant flavours provide a necessary contrast to the richness of the Crispy Coconut Chicken. Tossed in a sweet, tangy dressing of lime juice, honey, fish sauce, garlic, and chilli, the salad acts as a refreshing counterpoint, cutting through the coconut’s natural richness.

To achieve the ideal salad texture, slice the vegetables thinly and evenly. The cabbage should be delicate, the carrots matchstick-thin, and the green beans crisp. This attention to detail ensures every bite delivers a harmonious balance of crunch, freshness, and flavour.

The roasted peanuts bring a nutty depth, while fresh coriander adds brightness, tying the salad’s elements together. For those who prefer a more substantial salad, consider adding rice noodles or extra vegetables. This would make it a complete meal in its own right.

How to Serve Your Crispy Coconut Chicken

While the Crispy Coconut Chicken pairs beautifully with the Thai-inspired salad, you can serve it with other sides. Serve it alongside jasmine rice or coconut rice for a heartier option. Alternatively, you can pair it with a smashed cucumber salad to amplify its fresh, summery feel.

If you’re hosting a dinner party, consider presenting the chicken as a sharing platter with extra salad and lime wedges. And perhaps a spicy dipping sauce for added depth. The dish’s visual appeal makes it a standout, with its golden crust and colourful salad creating a striking contrast.

Leftovers can be just as enjoyable, though the chicken will dry out a little when heated. Store the chicken and salad separately to preserve their textures. You can then reheat the chicken in the oven or air fryer for a quick, satisfying meal. The salad also works well as a topping for rice bowls or as a base for grilled prawns or tofu.

Why this Crispy Coconut Chicken Stands Out

This Crispy Coconut Chicken recipe proves how a thoughtful combination of flavours and techniques can make a simple meal exceptional. The coconut coating brings a unique twist to a classic fried chicken preparation, while the Thai-inspired salad showcases how fresh ingredients can add complexity and balance.

Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting friends, this recipe has the versatility to suit any occasion. It’s approachable yet impressive, making it a perfect addition to your repertoire.

More Chicken Recipes

If you love this Crispy Coconut Chicken recipe, here are other chicken recipes you might love!

• The Best Fried Chicken: Brining the chicken thigh fillets overnight seasons them from the inside out and makes them nice and juicy. As for the coating, I’ve nailed down the perfect ratio of flour to cornstarch, seasoned with just the right amount of spices, resulting in the crispiest, most delicious coating
• Kimchi Chicken Katsu: The chicken gets marinated in kimchi juice, before being breaded and fried to golden perfection. Served with a zingy kimchi slaw, it makes for a belter of a dish.
• Simple Lemon Chicken: A refreshing and easy recipe featuring chicken breasts marinated in lemon juice and herbs, then grilled to perfection. It’s light, tangy and perfect for a quick meal.
• Spiced Grilled Chicken with Caramelised Onion Hummus: This recipe features chicken thigh fillets marinated in a blend of spices, grilled to juicy perfection, and served with rich, caramelised onion hummus.
• Grilled Chicken and Mango Guacamole Lettuce Cups: A light and refreshing dish with grilled chicken, fresh mango guacamole, all wrapped in crisp lettuce cups. Perfect for a healthy, flavour-packed meal.
• Harissa Chicken Tray Bake: An easy and flavourful traybake with chicken pieces marinated in spicy harissa paste, baked with vegetables for a complete meal.
• Coconut Coriander Chicken: A fragrant and creamy dish featuring chicken cooked in a coconut and coriander sauce, perfect for a comforting yet healthy dinner.