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Chicken Katsu is a popular Japanese dish that consists of breaded and fried chicken cutlets. It is a delicious and comforting meal that can be enjoyed on its own or served with steamed rice and a side of tangy katsu sauce. Making chicken katsu at home is easier than you might think, and the results are incredibly satisfying.

To start, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs. You can either buy pre-cut chicken cutlets or slice the chicken into thin, even pieces yourself. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and then dip each piece into flour, making sure to coat it evenly.

Next, beat a couple of eggs in a shallow dish, and then dip each flour-coated chicken piece into the egg mixture. Make sure to let any excess egg drip off before moving on to the next step. Finally, coat the chicken in panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere to the meat.

Once all the chicken pieces are breaded, heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. You may need to fry the chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.

Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve the chicken katsu hot, with a side of steamed rice and katsu sauce for dipping. The combination of the crispy chicken and the tangy sauce is truly irresistible. Enjoy!

How to Cook Chicken Katsu

Chicken Katsu is a popular Japanese dish that consists of breaded and fried chicken cutlets. It is a delicious and crispy dish that is easy to make at home. Follow these simple steps to cook Chicken Katsu:

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Start by preparing the chicken breasts. Place them on a cutting board and cover them with a plastic wrap. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
3. Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes. Place the flour in the first dish, beaten eggs in the second dish, and panko breadcrumbs in the third dish.
4. Dredge each chicken breast in flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip them in beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken breasts in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
5. In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the breaded chicken breasts to the skillet and cook for about 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Transfer the cooked chicken katsu to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
7. Serve the Chicken Katsu hot with steamed rice, shredded cabbage, and tonkatsu sauce.

Enjoy your homemade Chicken Katsu!

Ingredients for Chicken Katsu

Here are the ingredients you will need to make chicken katsu:

1. Chicken breasts: You will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. Make sure to pound them lightly to an even thickness before cooking.

2. Flour: All-purpose flour is used to coat the chicken and helps create a crispy exterior.

3. Eggs: Beaten eggs are used to bind the flour coating to the chicken.

4. Panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs, giving the chicken a nice crunch.

5. Salt and pepper: These basic seasonings will enhance the flavor of the chicken.

6. Vegetable oil: Vegetable oil is used for frying the chicken and gives it a golden-brown color.

7. Tonkatsu sauce: Tonkatsu sauce is a thick, tangy sauce that is served with chicken katsu. You can find it at most Asian grocery stores.

8. White rice or shredded cabbage: Chicken katsu is traditionally served with either steamed white rice or shredded cabbage.

Note: You can also add other seasonings or spices like garlic powder, paprika, or curry powder to customize the flavor of your chicken katsu.

Preparing the Chicken

Before you start cooking the chicken katsu, it is important to properly prepare the chicken to ensure that it is delicious and tender. Follow these steps:

Step 1:	Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into thin cutlets. This will help the chicken cook more evenly and quickly.
Step 2:	Tenderize the chicken by lightly pounding it with a meat mallet. This will help break down the fibers and make the chicken more tender.
Step 3:	Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other seasonings such as garlic powder or paprika for additional flavor.

Once the chicken is prepared, you are ready to move on to the next step – breading and frying the chicken katsu.

Breading the Chicken

Before you can cook the chicken katsu, it’s important to properly bread the chicken. This will give it a delicious and crispy exterior. Follow these steps to bread the chicken:

1. Prepare the chicken breasts by pounding them to an even thickness. This will ensure that they cook evenly.
2. Set up a breading station by placing three shallow bowls or plates next to each other. Fill the first bowl with flour, the second with beaten eggs, and the third with panko breadcrumbs.
3. Dip each chicken breast into the flour, making sure to coat it thoroughly. Shake off any excess flour.
4. Next, dip the chicken into the beaten eggs, again ensuring that it is fully coated. Allow any excess egg to drip off.
5. Finally, press the chicken into the panko breadcrumbs, making sure that all sides are coated evenly. Gently press the breadcrumbs into the chicken to ensure they adhere well.
6. Place the breaded chicken onto a plate or baking sheet, and repeat the breading process with the remaining chicken breasts.

Once you have finished breading the chicken, it is ready to be cooked. The breading will help to seal in the moisture and add a delicious crunch to the finished dish.

Frying the Chicken

After marinating the chicken and preparing the breading station, it’s time to fry the chicken katsu. Follow these steps to achieve a crispy and golden brown chicken:

Step 1: Heat a large frying pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Add about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil or any other neutral oil with a high smoke point.

Step 2: While the oil is heating, take one piece of chicken at a time from the breading station. Shake off any excess flour, dip it into the egg mixture, and coat it with the panko breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken gently to ensure they adhere well.

Step 3: Carefully place the breaded chicken into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the chicken for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until it turns golden brown and crispy. If needed, adjust the heat to prevent the chicken from burning.

Step 4: Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a wire rack or a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat the frying process with the remaining chicken pieces.

Note: If you’re cooking a large batch, you can keep the cooked chicken warm in a preheated oven set to a low temperature while you fry the rest.

Step 5: Serve the crispy chicken katsu with steamed rice, shredded cabbage, and tonkatsu sauce. Enjoy!

Pro tip: For a healthier alternative, you can also bake the breaded chicken in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 20-25 minutes until it’s cooked through and crispy.

Serving Chicken Katsu

Once your chicken katsu is cooked to perfection, you can serve it in a variety of ways. Here are a few serving suggestions:

1. Rice and Coleslaw

One of the most popular ways to enjoy chicken katsu is with a side of steamed rice and coleslaw. The simplicity of the rice complements the crispy chicken cutlet, while the creamy and tangy coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch.

2. Curry and Rice

If you’re looking for a more flavorful option, serve your chicken katsu with a side of Japanese curry and rice. The rich and aromatic curry sauce pairs perfectly with the crispy chicken, creating a delicious combination of textures and tastes.

To serve, place the chicken katsu cutlet on a plate and generously pour the curry sauce over it. Serve the dish with a side of steamed rice and enjoy!

Remember to garnish your plate with some green onions or pickled ginger for an extra pop of color and flavor.

Whether you choose to serve your chicken katsu with rice and coleslaw or with curry and rice, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Experiment with different sauces and sides to find your favorite combination and enjoy the crispy and flavorful goodness of chicken katsu.

Variations of Chicken Katsu

Chicken katsu is a popular Japanese dish that features breaded and fried chicken cutlets. While the traditional version is delicious on its own, there are several variations of chicken katsu that you can try to add a different twist to this classic dish.

1. Curry Chicken Katsu

Curry chicken katsu is a fusion dish that combines the flavors of Japanese katsu with rich and aromatic curry sauce. To make this variation, simply serve your chicken katsu with a generous amount of Japanese curry sauce poured over it. The combination of crispy chicken and savory curry creates a delightful and hearty meal.

2. Cheese-stuffed Chicken Katsu

If you’re a cheese lover, you’ll love this variation of chicken katsu. To make cheese-stuffed chicken katsu, simply place a slice of your favorite cheese on top of each chicken cutlet before breading and frying. As the cheese melts inside the chicken cutlet, it adds a gooey and delicious texture to the dish. Serve it with a side of tangy tomato sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

3. Spicy Chicken Katsu

If you prefer your food with a kick, try making spicy chicken katsu. To add heat to your chicken katsu, mix some hot sauce or chili powder into the breadcrumbs before breading your chicken cutlets. You can also serve it with a spicy dipping sauce or sprinkle some red pepper flakes on top for an extra punch of spiciness.

4. Teriyaki Chicken Katsu

For a sweet and savory twist, try making teriyaki chicken katsu. Instead of serving your chicken katsu plain, glaze it with a homemade teriyaki sauce before serving. The teriyaki sauce adds a glossy and flavorful coating to the crispy chicken cutlet, giving it a delightful and sticky texture. Serve it with a side of white rice and steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

These are just a few variations of chicken katsu that you can try to put your own spin on this classic dish. Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your own unique version of chicken katsu. Enjoy!

Q&A

What is chicken katsu?

Chicken katsu is a Japanese dish made of breaded and fried chicken.

What ingredients do I need to cook chicken katsu?

The main ingredients for chicken katsu are boneless chicken breasts, flour, egg, breadcrumbs, salt, and vegetable oil for frying.

How do I make chicken katsu?

To make chicken katsu, first, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. Then, dip each chicken breast in flour, followed by beaten egg, and finally coat it in breadcrumbs. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan, and fry the chicken until golden brown. Serve with a sweet and tangy sauce, like tonkatsu sauce, and enjoy!

Can chicken katsu be made without frying?

Yes, if you prefer a healthier version, you can bake the chicken katsu instead of frying. Simply preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and place the breaded chicken breasts on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the breadcrumbs are golden.