5 from 8 votes
Shio Karaage
Shio Karaage is a mouthwatering variation of Japanese fried chicken thanks to an umami-packed marinade and crackling crisp skin. Learn all of my tricks for making the crispiest chicken karaage with this easy-to-follow recipe.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
Servings:
2
servings
Calories:
560 kcal
Course:
Main Course
Cuisine:
Japanese
Ingredients
- 5 grams garlic (1 medium clove, grated)
- 2 tablespoons sake
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (to taste)
- 400 grams chicken thigh boneless skin-on
- vegetable oil (for frying)
- 50 grams potato starch (~⅓ cup)
- ½ lemon (cut into wedges for serving)
Instructions
- Whisk the garlic, sake, salt, and black pepper together in a medium bowl until the salt is fully dissolved.
- Trim any excess fat or tough connective tissue of the chicken.
- Look for natural partitions in the meat with the skin-side down and follow them with a sharp knife to slice the chicken into 1.5-inch strips (4cm).
- Next, you want to cut the strips into pieces of chicken that are roughly the volume of a golf ball. This will mean that thinner areas will need to be cut longer while thicker areas should be shorter.
- Add the cut chicken to the marinade and stir to coat each piece evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.
- When you're ready to fry your chicken karaage, add 1-2 inches of oil to a heavy pot with high sides and preheat to 340°F (170°C). Prepare a cooling rack by lining it with a few paper towels.
- Put the potato starch in a bowl, and then roll each piece of chicken in the starch to coat it in an even layer. Next, use your fingers to squeeze the chicken into a ball and lower each piece into the preheated oil. I recommend frying the Karaage in two batches.
- Once the coating on the chicken has set, flip the pieces over to cook them evenly.
- How long the chicken takes to cook will depend on how large the pieces are, but they should take about 5 minutes to cook through. They should read an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) when they're cooked. Transfer the chicken as they cook to the prepared rack to drain.
- Serve the Shio Karaage immediately with a few wedges of lemon.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
Calories
560kcal
(28%)
Carbohydrates
26g
(9%)
Protein
35g
(70%)
Fat
33g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
9g
(45%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
7g
(41%)
Monounsaturated Fat
14g
(70%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
196mg
(65%)
Sodium
759mg
(32%)
Potassium
718mg
(15%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
2g
(4%)
Vitamin A
165IU
(3%)
Vitamin C
16mg
(18%)
Calcium
47mg
(5%)
Iron
2mg
(11%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 2 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 560
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 560kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 26g | 9% |
| Protein | 35g | 70% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7g | 41% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 14g | 70% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 196mg | 65% |
| Sodium | 759mg | 32% |
| Potassium | 718mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 2g | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 165IU | 3% |
| Vitamin C | 16mg | 18% |
| Calcium | 47mg | 5% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.