Description
Crispy Fried Chicken Katsu is a Japanese-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts pounded thin, breaded with seasoned flour, egg, and katsu crumbs, then fried to golden perfection. This crispy chicken cutlet pairs wonderfully with rice, salad, or tonkatsu sauce for a deliciously crunchy and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 chicken breasts, flattened to 1.5 cm thickness
Breading
- 150 g (1 ⅓ cups) seasoned flour (seasoned with salt and pepper)
- 2 eggs, beaten, seasoned with salt and pepper
- 1 package katsu curry crumb
Frying
- 175-200 ml (6 fl oz) vegetable oil for frying
Optional Garnish
- Fresh herbs (parsley, basil, and thyme)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Wrap each chicken breast in baking paper and use a rolling pin to gently pound the thickest parts until the breast is uniformly about 1.5 cm thick, ensuring even cooking.
- Set up breading stations: Arrange three medium bowls: Bowl 1 with seasoned flour (flour mixed with salt and pepper), Bowl 2 with beaten eggs seasoned with salt and pepper, and Bowl 3 with the katsu curry crumb.
- Bread the chicken: Take each flattened chicken breast and first coat it evenly with the seasoned flour. Next, dip it into the beaten egg mixture ensuring full coverage on both sides. Finally, coat the chicken well with the katsu crumbs for a crispy crust.
- Prepare for frying: Place the breaded chicken pieces on a baking tray or plate while heating vegetable oil in a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Heating the oil to medium temperature is crucial to avoid burning the crumb before the chicken cooks through.
- Fry the chicken: Fry each chicken breast for about 8 minutes on each side, turning carefully to maintain the crispy crust. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 75ºC (165ºF).
Notes
- Ensure the chicken breasts are pounded evenly to 1.5 cm thickness to promote uniform cooking.
- Use medium heat for frying to achieve a golden crust without burning.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee the chicken is safely cooked.
- Serve with tonkatsu sauce or fresh herbs for added flavor.
- If katsu crumb is unavailable, panko breadcrumbs seasoned with curry powder can be a substitute.
