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Coconut Chicken Nuggets

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Most kids love chicken nuggets, even picky kids – and in some cases might be the only things they will eat.  The best nuggets are the fresh, crunchy, homemade type so you can be sure that your picky eater is getting all of the nutrients, without any of the junk.

These crispy coconut nuggets will be a hit with the whole family.

Ingredients

250 gm coconut flour

1  tsp. garlic powder

1  tsp. onion powder

100 gm shredded coconut

Sea salt to taste

Pinch of ground black pepper

500 gms chicken breasts or thigh fillets

1 large egg

50-80 mls coconut oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Combine coconut flour, shredded coconut, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and mix in a bowl with the beaten egg.
  3. In another bowl, beat the eggs then add the chicken pieces and mix thoroughly so well covered with the egg.
  4. Add the eggy chicken to the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir to completely coat the chicken in the flour mixture.
  5. Heat ½ of the coconut oil in a large saucepan on medium high heat.
  6. Add chicken in small batches.  Cook, turning until brown on all sides.
  7. Remove chicken to a warm plate in the oven while you finish frying, adding more oil as needed.
  8. Serve the crunchy nuggets with your child’s favorite dipping sauce.  Try this nutrient packed tomato sauce.

Variations

Cook chicken first.  Add cooked chicken to a blender with 1 egg and blend till smooth.  Press the mixture into cookie cutter shapes and then roll them in bread crumbs or the coconut mix above.

Value add some shredded or cooked carrot, sweet potato, onion, white potato, green peas or any vegetable to the chicken and egg in the blender to increase nutrient value.

Place coated nuggets on a cookie sheet and bake instead of frying.  Add a little butter or a drizzle of coconut or olive oil for crispiness.  Bake at 200°C (400°F) for around 10 minutes.  Flip half way through to get both sides crispy.

Add a little parmesan to the crumb mix.

Cook up extra to freeze some for a quick meal later.

development-and-growth

Why? Development and Growth

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Developmental and Growth

THE INFLUENCE OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND GROWTH RATES ON EATING BEHAVIOUR

As we know, young children have variable appetites and often become picky with food. Why might this be? As a baby your child was fed constantly and grew rapidly. By their first birthday they will have probably tripled their birth weight.

Toddlers and young children grow at a much slower rate than when they were babies so their requirements for food are a little less than many parents expect. As well, they are usually too busy learning about their world to sit still for anything, even to eat.

Children’s limited and sporadic appetites are also affected by their growth cycles or “growth spurts” and by variations in activity. It is quite common for children to be hungry one day or for a few days in a row and then picky the next. They are more likely to eat better (and their requirements will be greater) during periods of more rapid growth.

Young children and fussy eaters tend to do better having most of their food as frequent nutrient dense snacks rather than fewer, larger meals.