Emilie Meyer
Chicken katsu is a popular Japanese dish made by frying chicken coated in panko breadcrumbs. The traditional method involves deep frying, but using an air fryer is a healthier alternative that still yields a crispy texture. The cooking time for chicken katsu in an air fryer varies depending on the recipe, but it typically takes around 10-20 minutes to achieve a golden-brown and crispy coating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 350°F (175°C) or 400°F (200°C) |
| Time | 10 minutes on one side, 4-8 minutes on the other side, or 12-15 minutes in total |
| Internal temperature | 155°F (68°C) for breasts, 175°F (80°C) for thighs, or 165°F |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or up to 5 days |
| Reheating | Reheat in the air fryer at 400°F for 2-3 minutes, or in the microwave on high for 1-1.5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken Katsu preparation
Chicken Katsu is a popular Japanese dish made by frying pieces of chicken coated in crispy panko breadcrumbs. The dish is usually served with rice and a sweet and savoury tonkatsu sauce. The air fryer is a perfect way to get crispy chicken, use minimal oil, and make the process super easy. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare Chicken Katsu in an air fryer:
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts or chicken thighs
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Eggs
- Flour
- Salt and pepper
- Oil
- Optional: garlic powder, curry powder, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, Worcestershire sauce
Preparation:
First, prep the chicken pieces. Cut the chicken breasts in half lengthwise into thin cutlets. Make sure all the pieces are of similar size so they cook evenly. Next, pound the chicken with a meat mallet or a rolling pin to ensure a thin cutlet of about 1/2" thickness. This helps the chicken cook more evenly and allows the panko breadcrumbs to become crispy at the same time as the chicken.
Next, season the chicken with salt and pepper. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder. Let the chicken rest while you make the wet batter. In one bowl, mix together the eggs, flour, and a little water until you get a consistency slightly looser than pancake batter. Place the breadcrumbs in a separate bowl.
Now, it's time to dredge the chicken. First, dip the chicken in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off. Then, immediately coat the chicken with the breadcrumbs, pressing them into the chicken to ensure they stick. Make sure there are no dry spots. If desired, double dip the chicken in the egg and breadcrumbs for an extra crispy coating.
Before cooking, let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows the breadcrumbs to adhere well and gives the salt time to absorb into the meat, resulting in crispy skin and juicy meat.
Cooking:
Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (175-200°C). Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and spray the tops with cooking spray or a neutral oil spray. Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken and spray the other side. Air fry for an additional 4-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken and your desired level of crispiness. The chicken is done when it is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (68-80°C).
Serving:
Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. Serve with tonkatsu sauce, rice, and shredded cabbage. Enjoy the delicious, crispy, and juicy Chicken Katsu!
Storage:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. The chicken will lose its crispiness, but you can reheat it in the air fryer to restore some of the crunch. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 2-3 minutes.
Feel free to customise your Chicken Katsu by adding your favourite seasonings or serving it with different sides. Enjoy the delicious, crispy, and juicy dish!
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Air fryer settings
To cook chicken katsu in an air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F. The higher temperature will give a more deeply golden brown coating, but you should be careful not to burn the chicken.
If you are using chicken breast, cut the chicken breast in half, butterflying into two thin cutlets. They should be around 1/2" thick. This will help the chicken cook through at the same time as the panko breadcrumbs become crispy.
Once your air fryer is preheated, place the chicken in the basket and spray the top with cooking spray or a neutral oil spray. Air fry for 10 minutes, then flip the chicken and spray the other side. Air fry for another 4-8 minutes, until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 155°F for chicken breasts and 175°F for chicken thighs.
If you want to reheat chicken katsu, set your air fryer to 400°F and cook for 2-3 minutes.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for chicken katsu in an air fryer depends on the temperature you set it at.
If you are cooking at 350°F (175-180°C), you should cook the chicken for 10 minutes, flip it over, and then cook for another 4-8 minutes. The chicken is ready when it is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (68-74°C).
If you are cooking at 400°F (200°C), you should cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
For a more well-done chicken, you can cook at 400°F for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking process.
If you are reheating chicken katsu, it is best to use the air fryer to maintain the crispiness. Set the temperature to 400°F and cook for 2-3 minutes.
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Serving suggestions
Chicken Katsu is a popular Japanese dish that is typically served with rice and a sweet and tangy sauce called "Katsu sauce". The sauce is usually made from vegetables, fruits, and spices, and it complements the chicken perfectly. You can also buy Katsu sauce online or make it at home.
To make chicken Katsu, the chicken is coated in a layer of crunchy panko breadcrumbs, which are drier and flakier than regular breadcrumbs. This gives the dish its signature crispy texture. The chicken is then cooked until golden brown and served with shredded cabbage, pickled ginger, and tomatoes on the side.
When serving chicken Katsu, it is important to consider the sides and sauces that will complement the dish. Here are some suggestions for serving chicken Katsu:
- White rice: Chicken Katsu is often served with white rice, which can soak up the delicious Katsu sauce.
- Katsu sauce: This sweet and tangy sauce is a must-have for chicken Katsu. You can buy it or make it at home by whisking together ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic.
- Pickled vegetables: Pickled ginger and cabbage slaw are traditional sides for chicken Katsu, adding a refreshing crunch to the dish.
- Japanese dishes: Chicken Katsu goes well with other Japanese dishes such as miso soup, Japanese crab corn salad, shrimp tempura, or Ebi mayo.
- Salads: If you have extra chicken Katsu, you can serve it over a salad or with a side of Japanese ginger salad dressing.
- Bento boxes: Chicken Katsu can be served in bento boxes, which are a popular Japanese lunch option.
- Curry sauce: For a heartier meal, serve chicken Katsu with a side of Japanese curry or Vermont curry.
- Sandwich: Chicken Katsu can be served in a sandwich, known as a "katsu sando" in Japan.
- Udon noodles: At Japanese restaurants, chicken Katsu is sometimes served over udon noodles.
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Storing leftovers
Note that the chicken will lose its crispiness over time in the refrigerator. To restore some of the crispiness, reheat the chicken katsu in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for 2-3 minutes. Alternatively, you can reheat it in the microwave. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 1-1.5 minutes. Slicing the chicken into strips will reduce the reheating time.
If you want to store your chicken katsu for longer, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook chicken katsu in the air fryer for 12-15 minutes at 400°F or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
You should set your air fryer to 400°F or 350°F.
To achieve a crispy texture, cook the chicken katsu for 10 minutes at 350°F. Then, flip the chicken, spray it with oil, and cook for another 4-6 minutes.
It is recommended to cook frozen foods in an air fryer for about 50% longer than the recommended time for fresh ingredients. Therefore, it will take around 18-22 minutes to cook frozen chicken katsu in an air fryer.
Leftover chicken katsu can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
