I am sharing this air fryer chicken katsu - a homemade recipe that turned out delicious! The chicken was wonderfully crispy, and the inside was incredibly moist. I found this recipe simple and only required a few simple ingredients.
The best part of this easy chicken Katsu recipe is that you can customize the ingredients to your taste. It is worth the time spent making them. You are guaranteed the best crispy chicken of all time.
Related post - air fryer chicken katsu sandwich
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu - Homemade Recipe
This air fryer chicken katsu recipe is about to be your favorite way of cooking breaded chicken. Tender chicken coated in seasoned panko breadcrumbs, cooked in the air fryer until crispy and golden brown.
This recipe is quick, easy, delicious, and best of all, it is ready in under 30 minutes. You will love the process of making it from scratch.
You can use a store-bought Katsu sauce or make yours from scratch. Before we jump to the recipe, let’s find out what katsu is.
What is Katsu?
Katsu is a Japanese dish that consists of a breaded and fried meat cutlet. It is typically served with tonkatsu sauce and rice. Tonkatsu sauce is another name for Katsu sauce. Depending on where you read or hear it, these two names may be used interchangeably.
Katsu sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce that tastes like barbecue sauce. Because Katsu is popular in Japanese cuisine, you will most likely find it on the menu of a Japanese restaurant.
You will love this easy chicken katsu air fryer recipe because it is excellent for meal prep, and budget-friendly. You can substitute the ingredients if you do not have them all your disposal. Chicken katsu tastes just like deep-fried chicken. The chicken is crispy outside and tender inside.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chicken Katsu - Homemade Recipe
To make the chicken you will need the following
Boneless skinless chicken breast
Egg
Yogurt
Panko breadcrumbs
Garlic powder
Salt and black pepper
Homemade katsu sauce you will need
Worcestershire sauce
Ketchup
Soy Sauce
Brown sugar
Chili pepper
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Prep the chicken by removing any unwanted parts, pat dry with a kitchen paper towel, and butterfly the chicken breast. With a meat mallet, pound the chicken to get even fillets.
In a small bowl add the egg, yogurt, and whisk.
In a shallow bowl, add the panko bread crumbs, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Dip the chicken into the beaten egg mixture and the panko bread crumbs mixture. Make sure you coat both sides.
Transfer the chicken breast into the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray the top with some oil.
Air fry chicken katsu at 190C/385F for 10 minutes. Then flip the chicken breast and spray the top with cooking oil spray. Continue to air fry for another 8 minutes.
Remove from the air fryer. Allow the chicken to rest for 3 minutes before you cut through.
Drizzle some katsu sauce on top of the chicken. Serve and enjoy homemade chicken katsu!
How to Make Chicken Katsu Sauce Recipe
In a small bowl, add all the ingredients and mix until combined.
Place in the microwave for 30 - 45 seconds. Allow to cool and use as desired.
How to Store
Fridge - you can store leftover chicken katsu in the fridge for up to 3-5 days in an airtight container.
Freezer - put in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Reheat chicken katsu in the air fryer at 160C/320F for 3 minutes or until hot. If reheating from frozen, there is no need to thaw the chicken. Reheat it in an air fryer at 180C/360F for 5 minutes.
Tips and Variations
- You don't want to scrimp on the wet batter, so feel free to modify your proportions if you are frying more than 4 pieces of chicken breast fillets.
- Use any bread crumbs of your choice If you don’t have Panko crumbs. Italian bread crumbs or regular bread crumbs. The chicken just won’t come out light and crispy.
- You can marinate the chicken with salt and black pepper for 10 –15 minutes to allow the chicken to fully absorb.
- For the chicken to cook evenly throughout and for the panko to crisp without burning, it must be flattened. Use a rolling pin to pound or flatten it if you don't have a meat mallet or tenderizer.
- Chicken thighs, cutlets, and tenders can all be used, but different cooking times will apply.
- I recommend using vegetable oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. You can fill up a spray bottle with oil. Therefore, there are no additives.
- To ensure that the coating sticks to the chicken cutlet thoroughly, let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cooking.
- Season the chicken for 10 - 15 minutes to allow the ingredients to absorb into the meat. This "dry brine" will result in meat in juicy meat and crispy skin.
FAQs
What is Katsu?
Katsu is a cutlet that has been coated in panko breadcrumbs and then deep-fried. In this case, it’s air fried with less oil which makes it a healthier option.
What to serve with air fryer chicken katsu?
It is mostly served with rice or shredded cabbage and topped with some katsu sauce. You can also serve it over a salad with any food of choice or make a sandwich with it.
How do you eat Japanese Katsu?
The sauce Tonkatsu, which is usually served with Katsu in America, or Karashi, a Japanese mustard, may also be used with it. You can serve it with white rice, cabbage, or any other side dish of choice.
What is katsu sauce made of?
Katsu sauce is made up of a blend of soy sauce, tomato paste, onion, and carrots. I have made it my own by mixing soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and chili flakes. You can customize it with your preferred flavor.
Are Tonkatsu and Katsu sauce the same?
The dish with which Katsu sauce was initially served is known as tonkatsu. The name is simplified to "katsu sauce," which is the same sauce! They are both Japanese condiments; tangy in flavor.
Recipe
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu - Homemade Recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Microwave
Ingredients
To make the chicken you will need the following
- 500 g boneless skinless chicken breast 1 lb
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon Yogurt
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
To make the katsu sauce you will the need
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon chili pepper
Instructions
- Prep the chicken by removing any unwanted parts, pat dry with a kitchen paper towel, and butterfly the chicken breast. With a meat mallet, pound the chicken to get even fillets.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the egg, yogurt, and whisk.In a shallow bowl, add the panko bread crumbs, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper.Dip the chicken into the beaten egg mixture, then transfer to the panko bread crumbs. Make sure you coat both sides.
- Transfer the chicken breast into the air fryer basket in a single layer and spray the top with some oil.Air fry chicken katsu at 190C/385F for 10 minutes. Then flip the chicken breast and spray the top with cooking oil spray. Continue to air fry for another 8 minutes.
- Remove from the air fryer. Allow the chicken to rest for 3 minutes before you cut through.Drizzle some katsu sauce on top of the chicken. Serve and enjoy delicious chicken katsu!
Notes
Nutrition
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