The Perfect Crispy Chicken Katsu Recipe for Asian Food Lovers

Crispy, golden chicken katsu brings comfort and joy to your dinner table with its perfectly breaded exterior and tender meat inside.

Succulent chicken cutlets get a delightful Japanese-inspired twist that promises pure satisfaction.

Panko breadcrumbs create an irresistible crunch that elevates this classic dish beyond ordinary chicken recipes.

Home cooks adore how simple ingredients combine to make something extraordinary.

The secret lies in precise coating techniques and careful frying that guarantee a restaurant-quality result.

Salt, pepper, and a light flour dusting prepare the chicken for its transformative journey.

Each bite promises a delectable experience that will make you fall in love with this delightful meal.

Why Chicken Katsu Is a Crispy Favorite

• Crisp to Perfection: The breading technique creates an irresistibly crunchy exterior that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-quality dish with minimal cooking skills required.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: This recipe offers a speedy solution for busy families, delivering a delicious meal that can be prepared with just a few simple ingredients and basic kitchen tools.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Chicken katsu adapts easily to different dietary preferences, allowing home cooks to adjust seasonings or serve with various side dishes to suit everyone's taste buds.
• Budget-Friendly Feast: Using affordable chicken breasts and pantry staples, this recipe provides a gourmet-tasting meal without breaking the bank, making it an excellent option for economical home cooking.

What Goes into Chicken Katsu Magic

• Chicken Breasts: Lean meat that provides the primary protein base for this crispy Japanese-style dish.

• Flour, Eggs, Water, Panko Breadcrumbs: These ingredients create a crispy golden exterior that seals in the chicken's moisture and adds delightful texture.

• Vegetable Oil: Helps achieve a perfect golden-brown fry for the chicken.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor.
• Tonkatsu Sauce: A tangy Japanese condiment that complements the crispy chicken.
• Shredded Cabbage: Provides a fresh, crunchy side accompaniment.
• Lemon Wedges: Adds a bright, citrusy element to cut through the richness of the fried chicken.

How to Fry Up Golden Chicken Katsu

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Place chicken breasts between plastic wrap and pound until uniformly thin. Season generously with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage across the entire surface.

Step 2: Create Breading Station

• All-purpose flour
• Whisked eggs with water
• Panko breadcrumbs

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

• First, completely cover in flour, shaking off excess
• Next, dip thoroughly in egg mixture
• Finally, roll in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to create a thick, even coating

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place breaded chicken into hot oil.

Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until exterior turns deep golden brown and crispy.

Step 5: Drain and Rest

Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb extra oil and allow slight cooling.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

• Tonkatsu sauce
• Shredded cabbage
• Fresh lemon wedges

Crispy Chicken Katsu Tips You Should Know

• Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and crispy texture throughout.
• Pat chicken dry before seasoning to help flour and breadcrumbs stick better and create a crunchier coating.
• Use fresh panko breadcrumbs for maximum crispiness and light, airy breading that stays crisp longer.
• Control oil temperature around 350°F to prevent burning and achieve perfect golden-brown color without absorbing excess oil.
• Let chicken rest on paper towels briefly to drain extra oil and maintain the crispy exterior's delightful crunch.

Flavorful Takes on Classic Chicken Katsu

• Spicy Korean Fusion Katsu: Add gochujang or Korean chili paste to the egg mixture for a fiery kick, creating a bold and zesty flavor profile.
• Herb-Crusted Chicken Katsu: Mix fresh chopped herbs like parsley, thyme, and rosemary into the panko breadcrumbs for an aromatic and earthy variation.
• Gluten-Free Almond Chicken Katsu: Replace wheat flour with almond flour and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs, making it suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Mediterranean-Style Katsu: Incorporate dried oregano, garlic powder, and za'atar spice blend into the breadcrumb coating for a Middle Eastern-inspired version.

What to Serve with Chicken Katsu

• Enhance Flavor Fusion: Pair chicken katsu with a crisp Japanese beer like Sapporo or Asahi for a traditional complement that cuts through the richness of the fried chicken.
• Create Refreshing Balance: Serve alongside a light cucumber sunomono salad, which provides a tangy, cool contrast to the crispy, warm chicken katsu.
• Elevate with Citrus Kick: Squeeze fresh lemon wedges over the dish to brighten the flavors and add a zesty note that cuts through the breaded coating.
• Match with Umami Sauce: Drizzle tonkatsu sauce generously, which brings a sweet and savory depth that perfectly enhances the crispy chicken's texture and taste.

Storing and Reheating Chicken Katsu the Easy Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken katsu in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain crispiness.
• Freeze: Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Chicken katsu can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing quality.
• Oven Reheat: Preheat oven to 375°F. Place chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet to restore crispiness. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, avoiding microwave to prevent sogginess.
• Air Fryer Reheat: Set air fryer to 375°F. Arrange chicken in a single layer, cook for 3-4 minutes until crisp and hot, turning halfway to ensure even heating.

Chicken Katsu Questions? We’ve Got Answers

• What are the key ingredients for chicken katsu?

The key ingredients are chicken breasts, flour, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, vegetable oil, salt, and pepper.

• Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?

Yes, chicken thighs work well too. They tend to be more flavorful and juicy compared to chicken breasts.

• How do I get the crispiest chicken katsu?

Ensure the oil is hot before adding chicken, use panko breadcrumbs, and press them firmly onto the chicken. Drain on paper towels to keep the coating crisp.

• Is chicken katsu a healthy dish?

While delicious, it’s a fried dish, so it’s higher in calories. You can make it healthier by baking or air frying instead of deep-frying.

Chicken Katsu Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 23 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy Japanese Chicken Katsu brings golden-brown comfort straight from Tokyo’s bustling streets to kitchen counters worldwide. Succulent chicken breasts coated in panko breadcrumbs offer a delightful crunch that draws you into a simple yet satisfying culinary experience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Proteins:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Coating Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) water
• 1 cup (240 ml) panko bread crumbs

Seasoning and Cooking Ingredients:

• Salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil for frying

Serving Accompaniments:

• Tonkatsu sauce
• Shredded cabbage
• Lemon wedges

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken breasts by generously seasoning with salt and pepper, then place between plastic wrap and gently flatten to create an even thickness using a meat mallet.
2. Create a three-station breading setup: first bowl with flour, second with whisked eggs and water, third with panko breadcrumbs.
3. Carefully coat each chicken breast by first dredging in flour, ensuring complete coverage and shaking off excess, then dipping thoroughly in egg mixture, and finally rolling in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure a complete, even coating.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, approximately 350°F, which takes about 2-3 minutes.
5. Carefully place breaded chicken into hot oil, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side until exterior turns a deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Remove chicken and drain on paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil, allowing the crispy exterior to remain intact.
7. Slice chicken katsu diagonally and plate alongside tonkatsu sauce, finely shredded cabbage, and fresh lemon wedges for a traditional presentation.

Notes

• Tenderize chicken breasts carefully to ensure uniform thickness, preventing uneven cooking and dry spots.
• Use fresh panko breadcrumbs for maximum crispiness, avoiding stale or pre-seasoned varieties that can affect texture.
• Pat chicken completely dry before breading to help the coating adhere better and create a crunchier exterior.
• Choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable or canola for even, golden-brown frying without burning.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg