This Air Fryer Chicken Katsu, a popular Japanese comfort food, takes seasoned chicken coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs and air fries it to perfection. Soft and tender on the inside with a crispy and flavorful crust on the outside, the chicken is then ready to be served with the traditional tonkatsu sauce and a cabbage salad.
Ideal for a quick and easy weeknight meal or perfect to prepare during meal prep, this breaded chicken will pair well with any of your favorite sides.
If you like easy air fryer dinner recipes, you will love these Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs, Air Fryer General Tso's Chicken this Air Fryer Filet Mignon, and this Air Fryer Frozen Cod.
Why You Will Love This Chicken Katsu Air Fryer Recipe
- Crispy Perfection: The air fryer delivers a deliciously crispy crust on the chicken without the need for deep frying, making it a healthier alternative.
- Juicy and Tender: Thanks to the magic of the air fryer, the chicken remains incredibly juicy and tender on the inside despite its crunchy exterior,
- Flavor-Packed: The combination of panko breadcrumbs, garlic, and onion powder adds a fantastic depth of flavor to this easy air-fried chicken katsu.
- Convenient and Easy: This air fryer chicken katsu recipe is a breeze to prepare, making it an ideal weeknight dinner option or a perfect addition to your meal prep routine.
- Versatile: Serve the crispy, juicy chicken katsu with a variety of sides, such as white rice, brown rice, green beans, cabbage salad, or even sandwiched between bread.
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breast provide a lean and delicious protein source. If you prefer, you can substitute them with chicken thighs or chicken tenders.
- Eggs: Beaten eggs act as a binding agent, helping the breadcrumb coating stick to the chicken pieces.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch helps create a crispy, golden crust when combined with the egg mixture. You can substitute it with all-purpose flour or rice flour for a gluten-free option.
- Onion and Garlic Powder: These seasonings add a savory and aromatic flavor to the coating, enhancing the overall taste of each piece of chicken.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs (aka Japanese breadcrumbs) provide a light and crispy texture to the coating. If you don't have panko, you can use regular plain breadcrumbs or seasoned breadcrumbs. Use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free option.
- Water: A small amount of water is added to the batter to help the breadcrumbs adhere better to the chicken.
- Cooking Spray: Cooking spray helps achieve a crispy and evenly browned coating without adding excessive oil.
See the recipe card below for the full list and exact quantities of each ingredient.
Variations
- Change the seasoning: Swap the onion and garlic powder for Italian seasoning, dried oregano, ground cumin, or any of your favorite spices.
- Use flavored panko breadcrumbs: Pick up a package of seasoned breadcrumbs instead of using plain panko breadcrumbs.
- Add some spice: Mix cayenne pepper, red chili flakes, or sriracha into the chicken seasoning mix.
How to Make Chicken Katsu in the Air Fryer
Step 1: Split the chicken. Place the chicken breasts on the cutting board and use a sharp nice to split them in half lengthwise.
Step 2: Pound the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken breasts to 1-inch thickness.
Step 3: Prepare the coating and breading: Combine the eggs, water, onion powder, garlic powder, and cornstarch in a shallow bowl. Then add the breadcrumbs to another shallow bowl.
Step 4: Coat the chicken: Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper and dip them into the coating mixture, being sure to coat both sides.
Step 5: Bread the chicken: Dredge the coated chicken in the breadcrumbs, covering both sides.
Step 6: Place chicken in the air fryer: Spray the coated chicken breasts with a touch of olive oil cooking spray on both sides and then place in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd.
Step 7: Cook the chicken: Air fry the chicken at 350° F for 7-9 minutes and then flip and cook for an additional 7-9 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
Step 8: Serve and enjoy: Serve the air fried chicken katsu with your favorite sides and garnishes.
If you love making chicken in the air fryer, you've got to try this Honey Butter Chicken next. Or to simplify it even more, try our Crockpot Huli Huli Chicken recipe!
Storage
- Refrigerator: After allowing the chicken katsu to cool completely, store it in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, place the cooled chicken katsu in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: You can reheat your leftover chicken katsu in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes or until heated through and crispy, flipping halfway through the cooking time. You can also reheat on a baking sheet in a preheated 400° F (200°C) oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and crispy flipping once. Though it's not ideal for preserving crispiness, you can reheat the chicken in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, until heated through, flipping halfway during cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Traditionally, this dish is served with white rice but you can enjoy it with a load of dishes. Here are some great examples:
- Pair it with this Hot Girl Salad or this Mixed Green Salad With Fruit and Nuts for a light meal.
- Prepare for Sunday night dinner along with these Crispy Smashed Red Potatoes or these Sliced Potatoes in Air Fryer, followed by this Chocolate Strawberry Layered Pudding Dessert.
- Make and serve with for a game day snack along with these Italian Nachos.
Recipe Tips
- Dry the Chicken. Pat the chicken dry before seasoning and coating to ensure better adhesion.
- Rest the Chicken. Let the coated chicken rest for a few minutes before air frying to help the coating set.
- Preheat the Air Fryer. Allowing the air fryer to preheat means the cooking process will start out at a higher temperature which is necessary for optimal crispiness.
- Adjust the Cooking Time. Based on the thickness of your chicken breasts, you may need to cook them for a longer or shorter period of time.
- Use a Blender: Instead of using a bowl, you can combine the eggs, onion powder, garlic powder, water and cornstarch in a blender.
FAQ
Make sure to pat the chicken dry before coating, and also let the coated chicken rest for a few minutes before air frying to help the coating set
While chicken is traditional, you can try using thinly sliced pork cutlets or turkey cutlets for a different twist on katsu.
Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the chicken to ensure it's fully cooked.
More Delicious Chicken Dishes
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Chicken Katsu Air Fryer Recipe
Equipment
- Meat Mallet or Rolling Pin
- Blender (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup water
- Olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on the cutting board. Using a sharp knife, slice them in half and pound each piece to 1-inch thickness using a meat mallet or a rolling pin. Season both sides of your thin cutlets with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the beaten eggs, water, onion powder, garlic powder, and cornstarch. I recommend adding tablespoon at a time if the batter is too thick.
- In a separate shallow bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Dip the seasoned chicken cutlets into the beaten egg and cornstarch mixture, coating both sides. Then transfer the chicken from the wet batter to the panko mixture, pressing the crispy panko breadcrumbs onto both sides to ensure an even coating.
- Spray the coated chicken breasts with minimal olive oil cooking spray on both sides and then place the chicken in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd. Cook for 7-9 minutes, then flip the chicken and cook for an additional 7-9 minutes, or until the chicken is crispy and golden brown.
- Remove each piece of crispy chicken from the air fryer and let it cool for 4-6 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy your crispy and delicious air fryer katsu!
Notes
- Dry the Chicken. Pat the chicken dry before seasoning and coating to ensure better adhesion.
- Rest the Chicken. Let the coated chicken rest for a few minutes before air frying to help the coating set.
- Preheat the Air Fryer. Allowing the air fryer to preheat means the cooking process will start out at a higher temperature which is necessary for optimal crispiness.
- Adjust the Cooking Time. Based on the thickness of your chicken breasts, you may need to cook them for a longer or shorter period of time.
- Use a Blender: Instead of using a bowl, you can combine the eggs, onion powder, garlic powder, water and cornstarch in a blender.
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