Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
This Air Fryer Chicken Katsu recipe is simultaneously juicy and crispy! You won’t believe that it’s not fried! It’s great for date night; simple recipe and has very few ingredients!
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
If you would have told me a year ago that I’d be able to cook fancy dinners like this homemade chicken katsu, I would have told you that you’re crazy!
I’ve been completely obsessed with making chicken katsu that I’ve even made Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Sandwich, Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Thighs, and Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Tenders.
Every time I struggle to figure out what I want to make for dinner katsu chicken always pops up! Plus it’s super easy to make.
My Air Fryer has honestly been a lifesaver.
I’ve been able to cook nourishing meals like this Air Fryer Chicken Thighs and Potatoes, Air Fryer Chicken and Veggies, Air Fryer Chicken and Broccoli and this Air Fryer Chicken Breast and Potatoes recipe.
Before my air fryer, I had barely cooked a meal in my life. Eating out or warming up prepared foods was my go-to.
Now let me tell you, this Air Fryer Chicken Katsu is one of my favorite things to make! I made it twice in one week. That’s how good it is.
And if you’re always on the ‘net, it’s most likely you have seen TikTok videos that on how to make this type of chicken. It’s healthier, yummier, and cheaper – less oil, more protein, great taste. Perfect with cooked rice!
And honestly, I should have made a double batch because there were no leftovers! I don’t know how, but the air fryer just gives the chicken a crispy coating that you normally only get from deep frying.
Because it’s easy to cook and prepare, this makes up for a perfect weeknight dinner meal after a long day. So if you’re already into Japanese curry, time to explore another Japanese meal! This is a popular dish that all ages will love.
What does Katsu mean?
In Japanese culture, “Katsu” refers to a cutlet of meat that is coated with panko breadcrumbs and then fried. In addition to chicken katsu, you can also make thin cutlets of pork or seafood katsu.
If you go to a Japanese restaurant you will most likely see some type of Katsu recipe on the menu since it’s popular in Japanese cuisine. You will easily spot breaded chicken cutlets on the counters or at tables.
In Western Culture, we refer to the traditional Japanese sauce that is served with Katsu as “Katsu sauce.” Katsu sauce is a sweet and tangy sauce, similar to a barbecue sauce.
Katsu sauce is traditionally called Tonkatsu sauce. These two names may be used interchangeably depending on where you read or hear it. Now let’s give this dish a try and taste this yummy popular Japanese dish!
Ingredients
For the chicken
- Boneless, skinless thin chicken breasts
- Large egg
- Milk
- Panko breadcrumbs or Japanese breadcrumbs
- Seasonings: salt and black pepper
For the Katsu sauce
- Ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- Soy Sauce
- White Sugar
- Fresh Garlic
✳️ Tips & Tricks
When you are using the meat mallet make sure the chicken breast is evenly pounded. This ensures that the chicken breast cooks evenly and remains juicy.
Tools to make this Chicken Katsu in the Air Fryer
- Meat mallet – this is to tenderize and flatten the chicken breasts
- Cosori Air Fryer – this is my favorite air fryer. The large air fryer basket makes it so easy to cook your favorite recipes
- Tongs – tongs are easiest to remove and flip the chicken
- Meat thermometer – You always want to make sure the internal temperature of ANY chicken 165F.
How to make Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
- Butterfly the chicken breast, then pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat mallet or flatten using a rolling pin.
- In one mixing bowl add the egg and milk and whisk.
- In another mixing bowl add the crispy panko breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper.
- Submerge the chicken into the beaten egg mixture then transfer to the panko bread crumbs. Make sure you coat both sides.
- Transfer the chicken breast to Air Fryer in a single layer and spray the top with avocado oil.
- Cook at 390F for 9 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, flip the chicken breast and spray the top with avocado oil cooking spray. Place back inside the Air Fryer and cook for another 9 minutes.
- Remove from Air Fryer and transfer to a plate. Let the chicken rest for 3 minutes before you cut it.
- Pour your katsu sauce on top of the chicken.
- Serve and enjoy!
How to make homemade Tonkatsu Sauce (Katsu Sauce)
- Mix all the ingredients into a small mixing bowl and mix together
Substitutions
- If you don’t have Panko crumbs, you can use Italian bread crumbs or regular bread crumbs. The chicken just won’t come out at light and crispy. You can also use a store bought Katsu sauce from your Asian grocery store if you don’t want to make your own.
- If you can’t find chicken breasts at the grocery store, look for chicken cutlets as a last resort you could even use chicken tenders or chicken thighs.
- If you eat pork, you could even use pork cutlets, but on this blog we love to make juicy chicken recipes lol.
- As for the cooking spray, I tend you only use avocado oil. I have this spray bottle where you just add your own avocado oil. That way there’s no additives. Just plain avocado oil.
What to serve with Chicken Katsu in the Air Fryer
Chicken Katsu is a flexible dish, it can be paired in different ways. My favorite thing to serve chicken katsu with is white rice and to top it with savory sauce homemade katsu sauce. It’s also traditionally paired with shredded cabbage.
If you make extra katsu chicken you can also serve it over a salad.
How to store
- Store leftover chicken katsu in a glass airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Honestly you probably won’t have many leftovers. It’s that good!
- For meal prep, you can freeze a meal up to 3 months.
How to reheat
For crispy perfection, this reheats best in the air fryer. Set your temperature to 400F and cook for 2-3 minutes.
You can also reheat this in the microwave, Transfer the chicken to a microwave safe plate and microwave on high for 1-1.5 minutes. It will take longer to heat up if the chicken is not sliced.
FAQs
What does chicken katsu taste like?
Chicken katsu tastes like deep-fried chicken. Crispy on the outside tender on the inside. But in this air fryer version, it’s air fried and light and crispy! Less oil, more flavor and nutrients!
What does katsu refer to?
Katsu refers to a cutlet that has been coated in panko bread crumbs and then fried.
How do you eat Japanese Katsu?
Katsu is typically simply seasoned with salt or salt and pepper. It’s normal served with rice or rice and cabbage. It is sometimes served with Karashi (Japanese mustard) or Tonkatsu (the sauce served with Katsu in America)
What is Katsu sauce made of?
It’s typically made of Worcestershire sauce, ketchup and soy sauce. Then you can add in other flavors such as sugar, garlic, garlic powder, ginger, etc.
What is katsu batter made of
Ingredients needed to make chicken katsu include boneless skinless chicken breasts, panko breadcrumbs, flour, egg, salt and pepper.
Are tonkatsu and katsu sauce the same thing?
Yes, both refer to the tangy, Japanese condiment. Often you will see if on katsu chicken, or even used as a dipping sauce.
More Air Fryer Katsu Chicken Recipes
Make sure you check out these super delicious katsu chicken recipes!
Easy Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Equipment
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb Chicken breast boneless skinless
- 1 Egg Large
- 1 tbsp Milk
- ½ tsp Salt
- ¼ tsp Black pepper
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
Katsu Sauce
- 1 tbsp Ketchup
- 1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp Soy sauce
- 2 tsp Sugar
- 1 clove Garlic Minced
Instructions
- Butterfly the chicken breast, then pound the chicken with a meat mallet.
- In one mixing bowl add the egg and milk and whisk.
- In another mixing bowl add the panko bread crumbs, salt, and black pepper.
- Submerge the chicken into the egg wash then transfer to the panko bread crumbs. Make sure you coat both sides.
- Transfer the chicken breast to Air Fryer and spray the top with avocado oil.
- Cook at 390F for 9 minutes.
- Once the timer goes off, flip the chicken breast and spray the top with avocado oil. Place back inside the Air Fryer and cook for another 9 minutes.
- To make the Katsu sauce, add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk together.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer basket and top with the katsu sauce. Serve with rice.
Video
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