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!
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thigh or use skin-on boneless thighs for even better results, skinless, boneless
- 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!)
Marinade:
- 1 tablespoon sake or sub with Dry Sherry Wine or rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar white
- 1 tablespoon mirin
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce not dark soy sauce, regular
- 1 tablespoon ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon garlic grated
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Enjoy fried chicken with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over top!
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 401
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 401kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 36g | 12% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 19g | 29% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 111mg | 37% |
| Sodium | 626mg | 26% |
| Potassium | 300mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 95IU | 2% |
| Vitamin C | 15mg | 17% |
| Calcium | 21mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.