Quick & Easy Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

Quick & Easy Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

from christieathome.com
Appetizer
30 min
4 servings
401 kcal / serving

If you love extra crispy, flavorful chicken, this quick and easy Karaage recipe is for you! It's a Japanese fried chicken that hits the spot and made with simple ingredients. This rivals takeout saving you money and great for the family!

Ingredients

  • 1 lbskinless boneless chicken thighs (or use skin-on boneless thighs for even better results)
  • 2 cupsvegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
  • 1 cuppotato starch (or cornstarch/rice flour or tapioca starch)
  • 1lemon (for serving (highly recommended!))
  • 1 tbspsake (or sub with dry sherry wine or rice vinegar)
  • 1 tspwhite granulated sugar
  • 1 tbspmirin
  • 2 tbspregular soy sauce (not dark soy sauce)
  • 1 tbspginger (grated)
  • 1 tspgarlic (grated)
  • ¼ tspblack pepper

Directions

  1. 1

    First dice chicken thighs into bite size pieces, about 1.5-inch wide pieces. If you have skin on thighs, leave the skin on. Transfer cubed chicken to a large bowl.

  2. 2

    Then to your large bowl of diced chicken, add Marinade ingredients as listed. Massage marinade into meat until well combined. Tip: For best results, let this marinate for 15 minutes.

  3. 3

    Next in a separate large mixing bowl, add potato starch. Dredge a few pieces of marinated chicken into the starch until well coated. Repeat this process until all pieces are coated. Transfer the coated chicken to a large plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

  4. 4

    In a heavy bottomed pot or deep fryer on medium high heat, heat vegetable oil or any neutral frying oil to 350 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. To check if oil is hot without a thermometer, place a wooden chopstick into the oil and look for bubbles.

  5. 5

    Next fry chicken in small batches and do not over crowd the pan. Spreading the pieces apart. Fry until golden crispy brown, about 3-4 minutes total flipping over half way.

  6. 6

    Then remove fried chicken with a slotted spoon and transfer to a wire rack or baking sheet lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.

  7. 7

    Enjoy fried chicken with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over top!