Haloumi stuffed coconut chicken nuggets
‘What made you think to crumb them in coconut?’
‘I have no idea, maybe making lamingtons this week?’
I tend to get on a roll with things. I start using an ingredient, love it and use it in everything until I get sick of it and move on to the next thing. That would explain my lamington whoopie pies and coconut panna cotta lamingtons both in the one week. I’m still not over coconut, it’s just so versatile and delicious.
Why haloumi with coconut though? Well, feta tastes pretty good stuffed inside all sorts of things so I figured haloumi might have the same effect. I had my doubts though. Would it melt? Would it get that essential squeak when you bite through it if it didn’t have contact with a pan? Would all the flavours play nice together?
Haloumi stuffed coconut chicken nuggets
I had such doubts I didn’t think they’d be blog-worthy so only snapped a few quick pics before serving them for lunch. I really should have more confidence though because these were fantastic. The coconut provided a sweet and crunchy crust. The chicken was tender and fresh from the lemon zest and the haloumi was perfectly squeaky and soft.
Making the nuggets
You could make these gluten free if you use a gluten-free alternative to the breadcrumbs, you just need something dry to bind the mince. I found Lilydale free-range chicken mince on sale for $3.50 for 500g because it was expiring that day. You know I bought up big and stocked the freezer.
The haloumi was a find at the supermarket. You’d think I would have discovered it on my haloumi quest but I’d never noticed an organic version. It’s actually stocked in most supermarkets.
Shaping the nuggets
If you wanted to you could leave it out (I’d judge you a little though) but they also provide a little bit of extra moisture for the chicken making it nice and juicy in the middle.
Haloumi stuffed coconut chicken nuggets
They’re best eaten fresh from the oven. I had a few left over and microwaved them the next day and while they were still delicious, the haloumi exploded out the sides a little and got a bit dry.
You can make the raw nuggets up ahead of time and then cook them just before you want to serve them. Enjoy!
What about you? Do you get on a roll with certain ingredients?
Haloumi stuffed coconut chicken nuggets
- 300g free-range chicken mince
- 4 tbsp bread crumbs
- 1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
- 100g haloumi cut into 10 small chunks
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- Olive oil for the frying pan
- Lightly beat the egg and place it in a bowl.
- Pour the coconut into a shallow bowl.
- Place the chicken, bread crumbs, parsley and lemon zest in a bowl and squish it all together.
- Using 1 tablespoon of mixture, shape it into a ball and press a piece of haloumi in the middle then squish the chicken mixture around it to enclose it.
- Pat it between your hands to flatten it slightly.
- Dip the pattie in the egg and then press it into the coconut and turn to coat then remove to a plate.
- Repeat with the rest of the patties and then cover them up and put them in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- Pre-heat the oven to 180C fan-forced and line a baking tray with paper.
- Heat a little olive oil in a large non-stick pan and cook the nuggets on either side just until they brown a little then transfer them to the baking tray.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until cooked through.
- Serve fresh from the oven.
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On a roll? I go overboard like you. For example beans and tomatoes have been featured in majority of the past two months worth of posts, thanks to having a glut in the garden. Coconut and chicken – Claire your imagination is faultless. I want to give them a go. It might be the new craze in chicken nuggets.
On a roll indeed, I’m glad I’m not the only one. Yes I don’t know where the idea came from but I’m glad I had it!
These look so good, Claire. What a terrific idea. And I’m a huge fan of haloumi. It’s just the best cheese xx
It’s on my list of best cheeses Charlie!