Chicken Katsu

Ready in just 20 minutes, this quick and easy chicken katsu recipe is a must-try for busy days. The chicken is coated in crispy breadcrumbs, cooked to golden perfection, and served juicy and flavorful. Pair it with rice or a fresh salad for a delicious, fuss-free meal.

Get ready to master the art of making the best chicken katsu from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Recipe Video

Why This Recipe Works

This chicken katsu recipe works beautifully due to its simplicity, speed, and adaptability, ensuring consistently delicious results.

One of the key strengths of this recipe is how quick and easy it is to prepare. From start to finish, it takes only 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or impromptu dinners.

Additionally, the recipe is highly customizable. You can use chicken breasts or thighs, adjust the seasoning to your taste, and even experiment with different breadcrumbs or egg substitutes to cater to dietary preferences.

Finally, this recipe is great because it gives you delicious results each and every time! The tangy katsu sauce complements the savory, crispy chicken, adding depth and richness to each bite

Ingredients

Katsu Sauce:

Katsu sauce is a tangy and savory condiment traditionally served with chicken katsu. The typical ingredients include ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and sugar, creating a perfect balance of sweet and umami flavors. Some variations may include Dijon mustard, garlic, or apple puree for added depth and complexity. For a unique twist, you can incorporate ingredients like mirin, rice vinegar, or even a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.

Chicken:

The best cuts of chicken for making homemade chicken katsu are boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs. Chicken breasts are lean and cook evenly, making them a popular choice. Thighs, on the other hand, are juicier and have a richer flavor, providing a delicious alternative.

To prepare chicken for katsu, pound it to an even thickness of about ½ inch thick. This ensures uniform cooking and tender meat.

Panko:

Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb known for its light, airy, and flaky texture, which creates an extra-crispy coating perfect for chicken katsu. If you don't have panko, you can use regular breadcrumbs, though they won't provide the same level of crunch. Alternatively, crushed cornflakes or cracker crumbs can be used as substitutes, offering a similar crispy texture.

Eggs:

Eggs act as a binding agent in chicken katsu, helping the flour and panko breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken, ensuring an even, crispy coating. If you need an egg substitute, use buttermilk or a mixture of flour and water. Another alternative is using dairy-free milk combined with a bit of flour or cornstarch to achieve a similar adhesive effect.

Flour:

Flour provides an initial coating that helps the egg and panko breadcrumbs stick to the chicken, creating a uniform crust. If you need a flour substitute, cornstarch, almond flour, and rice flour are excellent options. They offer a similar adhesive quality and a light, crispy texture.

How to Make Chicken Katsu

Step One: 

To create the katsu sauce, combine ketchup, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and water in a small bowl and stir to combine.

Step Two: 

Scramble the eggs in a bowl. Add the flour and panko to their own bowls as well.

Step Three: 

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge it in flour, then egg, and finish with panko.

Step Four:

Heat the oil in a pan or skillet on medium-high heat to 350F and maintain that heat. If the oil is too hot, it will burn the coating before the chicken can cook through. There should be enough oil in the pan to cover the cutlets completely.

Step Five: 

Once the oil is boiling hot, add your cutlets and fry for 3-5 minutes on each side. The crust should be crispy and golden brown.

Step Six: 

Top with the katsu sauce and fresh herbs.

Step Seven: 

Serve with your favorite sides, and enjoy!

Tips

• To make the best chicken katsu, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. This ensures the chicken cooks uniformly and remains juicy.
• For an extra crispy chicken katsu, double dredge the chicken. After the first coating of flour, egg, and panko, dip it back into the egg wash and panko for a second coating.
• To check the chicken katsu for doneness, use a meat thermometer. Ensure the internal temperature is 165F.
• After frying, drain the chicken katsu on a wire rack rather than paper towels. This prevents the coating from becoming soggy.

What to Serve With Chicken Katsu

When considering what to serve with this easy chicken katsu, you can choose from a variety of delicious side dishes that both complement the katsu and create a well-rounded meal. Serve it with jasmine rice and coleslaw for a classic dinner.

Add a side of miso soup and pickled vegetables for authentic Japanese flair. Alternatively, a fresh cucumber salad or a serving of edamame complements the crispy chicken katsu beautifully, providing a refreshing contrast to the rich, savory flavors of the dish.

FAQs

What is katsu?

Katsu is a Japanese dish consisting of breaded and deep-fried cutlets of either chicken, pork, minced meat, salmon, steak, or cheese. It is typically served with a tangy katsu sauce, rice, and shredded cabbage.

Can I bake or air-fry chicken katsu instead of frying it?

Yes, you absolutely can! To bake your crispy chicken katsu, preheat your oven to 400F and bake the breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for about 20-25 minutes or until golden and cooked through. To make chicken katsu in an air fryer, simply preheat the air fryer to 360F and cook the breaded chicken for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.

What is the best way to store leftover chicken katsu?

Leftover chicken katsu can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze them, place the cooked and cooled chicken katsu in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will keep for up to 2 months. 

Is chicken katsu gluten-free?

Traditional chicken katsu is not gluten-free because it uses panko breadcrumbs and flour. To make a gluten-free version, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour substitutes like rice flour or cornstarch.

More Chicken Recipes

If you are looking for more quick and easy chicken recipes, like this homemade chicken katsu, then you've come to the right place. Today, we've collected some of our favorite chicken recipes to help inspire you at mealtime.

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Chicken Kebab

Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

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