Honey Sriracha Coconut Grilled Chicken Fingers

Today is an exciting day because we find out if baby #2 is a boy or a girl! An old wives’ tale says you can expect a boy if you’re craving salty foods, and a girl if you can’t get enough sweets. That said, I’m curious to know what the heck we’re having if I’m craving ALL THE FLAVORS including spicy foods. I’ve always considered myself a spice wimp but right now, the more heat the better!

I’m not sure if the craving for spice will last after this baby arrives, but for now I’m satisfying it with Honey Sriracha Coconut Grilled Chicken Fingers. Spicy-sweet Chinese take out meets the summer grill in this delicious tongue-tingling recipe!

Dinner does not get easier than this! All you need to do is marinate chicken breasts cut into strips (or chicken tenderloins) in a mixture of Sriracha, honey, lime juice, coconut milk and garlic then grill. Boom – dinner’s done!

I suggest whipping up a batch of Coconut Rice (recipe in notes below) to pair with the chicken fingers, as it cooks in the same amount of time as it takes to grill the chicken, plus it makes an excellent bed to soak up the spicy-sweet dipping sauce.

Ready to fire up the grill?

Start by making the marinade – in a large bowl whisk together 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons lite coconut milk, 1/4 cup honey, 2-4 Tablespoons Sriracha (I used 2 for moderate heat,) 3 Tablespoons gluten-free reduced-sodium Tamari or soy sauce, 2 Tablespoons each fresh lime juice and oil, 2 smashed garlic cloves, and a partridge and a pear tree. Just checking to see if you were still reading!

Pour the marinade into a large Ziplock bag then add 4 chicken breasts that have been cut into strips (could also use 1-3/4lb store-bought chicken tenderloins,) season with lots of salt and pepper, then squish to combine. Marinate in the refrigerator for 1-8 hours. This step is really easy to do ahead of time, ie prepare the marinade and slice the chicken then combine in the morning before heading off to work.

When it’s time to eat, heat your grill over medium-high heat for 10 minutes then remove the chicken fingers from the marinade and spray one side with nonstick spray. Turn the heat down to medium then place the chicken sprayed-side-down on the grates and grill for 1-2 minutes. Spray the tops then flip and grill for an additional minute or two. These cook really fast so don’t step away for too long!

As I mentioned, I like to serve these chicken fingers with Coconut Rice and grilled vegetables which cook right alongside the chicken. Just cut fresh zucchini into thick slices then spray or brush both sides with extra virgin olive oil and season with whatever you like (I always use my homemade seasoned salt.) Grill for 2-3 minutes a side over medium-high heat and you’ve got an easy, healthy side dish with no extra clean up!

Once the chicken fingers are  cooked through, place them onto a platter and watch your family go to town. I like to make a really easy, spicy-sweet and slightly tropical-tasting dipping sauce to dunk the fingers into + drizzle over the Coconut Rice. Just stir together equal amounts of Sriracha and honey then add coconut milk to taste. Easy and SO DELICIOUS!!! Enjoy!

Honey Sriracha Coconut Grilled Chicken Fingers

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dairy freegluten free

Description

Chinese takeout meets the summer grill in gluten-free Honey Sriracha Coconut Grilled Chicken Fingers with dipping sauce. It's the best of both worlds!

Ingredients

serves 4

• 1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons lite coconut milk, plus more for dipping sauce
• 1/4 cup honey, plus more for dipping sauce
• 2- 4 Tablespoons sriracha (I used 2 for moderate heat,) plus more for dipping sauce
• 3 Tablespoons gluten-free reduced-sodium Tamari or soy sauce (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce)
• 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 Tablespoons neutral tasting oil like avocado, almond, or vegetable
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed
• 4 chicken breasts, cut into strips OR 1-3/4lb chicken tenderloins
• salt and pepper

Directions

1. Add ingredients, coconut milk through garlic, to a bowl then whisk to combine. Pour into a large Ziplock bag then add chicken strips, season with salt and pepper, and squish to coat. Marinate for 1 hour or up to 8 hours.
2. Preheat grill over medium-high heat for 10 minutes then turn heat down to medium. Remove chicken strips from marinade then spray one side with nonstick spray and place sprayed side down on the grill. Grill for 1-2 minutes then carefully spray tops with nonstick spray, flip, and grill for another 1-2 minutes, or until chicken fingers are cooked through (they take very little time so be sure not to overcook.) Remove to a platter then serve with dipping sauce and coconut rice (see notes.)

Notes

• Create a sweet and spicy dipping sauce by combining equal parts sriracha and honey, then addding coconut milk to taste.
• I recommend serving these chicken fingers with Coconut Rice: In a medium-sized saucepan saute 1 chopped green onion and 1 minced garlic clove in 1 Tablespoon coconut oil for 1 minute then season with a big pinch of salt and a small pinch of dried thyme. Add 1 cup coconut milk and 3/4 cup water then bring to a boil. Add 1 cup long grain white rice then place a lid on top, turn heat down to medium-low, and simmer until liquid has been absorbed and rice is tender, 15 minutes. Fluff then serve.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.