The most amazing inspired Japanese Fried Chicken recipe you’ll ever taste, ever! This Chicken Karaage is fried to perfection, crispy on the outside, nice and juicy on the inside.
What do you do when you’re home and have tried all of your favorite dishes throughtout the week, besides baking bread, of course? You make fried chicken!
When it comes to frying chicken, the end result must be extremely delicious, juicy, and of course the out layer must be so crusty that you’ll even eat the crumbs that falls off while you take a bite.
And this Japanese fried chicken is absolutely no exception!
Chicken Karaage – Japanese Fried Chicken
To start off, what is karaage? It is translated to fry. Chicken Karaage is boneless chicken that’s cut into bite-size, marinated in soy sauce, coated in flour and starch, mostly potato starch, then is deep fried in oil. You can also use other meat as well to fry.
It can be intimidating to fry chicken for the first time or for a crowd, especially if you have never fried chicken before. Thus, this is why you must try this recipe to get your feet wet. It is pretty straightforward and it will make you want to test your culinary skills to trying more fried chicken recipes from time to time.
Do I Have to Use Potato Starch or Cornstarch?
In Japanese cuisine, potato starch is used to coat meat for deep frying instead of cornstarch. However, I do not have potato starch, so instead I used corn starch.
When deep frying chicken, I highly recommend using cornstarch along with the flour to have the crispiest fried chicken. You need the cornstarch to achieve the crispy result we get from our favorite chicken restaurants.
If you don’t want to use flour, you can still use cornstarch or potato starch as they do in Japan to deep fry chicken.
Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this recipe.
- Boneless/skinless breasts; Thighs will work as well.
- Soy sauce
- Sherry
- Garlic cloves
- Ginger
- Oil for deep frying
- All-purpose flour
- Cornstarch
Here’s how to make the Fried Chicken
To make these addictive little bites you’ll need to cut the chicken in bite size. Clean. Pat dry then transfer the chicken to a bowl. Set aside.
Mix together the sherry, soy sauce, garlic and ginger in a small bowl. Mix well.
Pour the liquid mixture over the chicken. Coat well. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate and let marinate for 30 minutes.
When you are ready to deep fry the chicken. Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a deep heavy saucepan or deep fryer.
In a separate bowl, combine the cornstarch and flour. Mix well. Remove the chicken from the marinade. Discard the marinade. Coat the chicken in the corn starch mixture and shake off excess.
Deep fry in small batches for 4-6 minutes or until golden and no longer pink in the center. Do not crowd the pan.
Remove the chicken once cooked and place on paper toweled plate.
Repeat the steps as necessary.
Serve warm with choice of side. Enjoy!
What to serve with Japanese fried chicken?
This recipe is perfect all year around, especially on the weekends. My family ask for this all the time. It’s quick. Easy. Super delicious and juicy. You cannot go wrong by adding this to the rotation.
You can complete it by making it a meal and serve it with collard greens, cauliflower mash potatoes, or with these air fryer shoestring fries. Delish
You might also like this Crispy Pan Fried Whiting recipe. It’s perfect as a side to accompany any dish!
What did you serve these Japanese Fried Chicken with? Let me know in the comments!
Desserts to try
Try these air fryer dessert dishes like this Air Fryer Cinnamon Rolls with homemade cream cheese frosting or these Air Fryer Oreos.
By the way, did you know that it warms our hearts to see the recipes you make from this site?
We’d especially would love to know if you tried this recipe, tag us on Instagram or Facebook so we can see your beautiful dish.
Also, we would appreciate if could give it a star rating below!
Other Chicken Recipes You Might Enjoy
Thai Chicken Skewers
Japanese Fried Chicken (Chicken Karaage)
Ingredients
- 1 Lb. Boneless/skinless breasts Thighs will work as well.
- 3 Tbsp. Soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp. Sherry
- 3 Garlic cloves minced
- 1 Tsp. Ground ginger
- Oil for deep frying Peanut oil or vegetable oil will work
- 4 Tbsp. All-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup Cornstarch
Instructions
- Cut the chicken in bite size. Clean. Pat dry then transfer the chicken to a bowl. Set aside.Mix together the sherry, soy sauce, garlic and ginger in a small bowl. Mix well.Pour the liquid mixture over the chicken. Coat well. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate and let marinate for 30 minutes.
- When you are ready to deep fry the chicken. Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a deep heavy saucepan or deep fryer.In a separate bowl, combine the cornstarch and flour. Mix well. Remove the chicken from the marinade. Discard the marinade. Coat chicken in the corn starch mixture and shake off excess.Deep fry in small batches for 4-6 minutes or until golden and no longer pink in the center. Do not crowd the pan.
- Remove the chicken once cooked and place on paper toweled plate. Repeat the steps as necessary.Serve warm with choice of side. Enjoy!
Jacqueline Meldrum
I love that you added sherry. *goes to cupboard to check on sherry situation*
Anjali
This recipe is like total comfort food – our chicken was crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and so flavorful! Yum!
Shirlene
Does it have be boneless chicken can I use drumetts
Mirlene
Yes, you can alter it to use drumetts
Dannii
I tried this last night and the chicken was perfectly cooked. SO juicy.
Kristen
My family enjoyed this so much! Thank you for the fabulous recipe. 🙂
Donna
Crunchy chicken with an Asian twist, I am all over this one. The chicken was cooked perfectly.
Katie
Oh wow- this is such a good recipe!! I love the flavor that the soy sauce adds, and the corn starch really adds to the crispiness!
Bella
I’d love to make this chicken for dinner tonight
Mirlene
Thank you. I hope you get a chance to try it.
Michelle
This chicken came out so juicy and delicious. We love making it at home.