Quick & Easy Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
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!
- Prep time
- 15 min
- Cook time
- 15 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs (or use skin-on boneless thighs for even better results)
- 2 cups vegetable oil (or any neutral oil)
- 1 cup potato starch (or cornstarch/rice flour or tapioca starch)
- 1 lemon (for serving (highly recommended!))
- 1 tbsp sake (or sub with Dry Sherry Wine or rice vinegar)
- 1 tsp white granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp mirin
- 2 tbsp regular soy sauce (not dark soy sauce)
- 1 tbsp ginger (grated)
- 1 tsp garlic (grated)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 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
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
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
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
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
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
Enjoy fried chicken with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over top!