A golden crunch with a story to tell — the ultimate fried chicken hit.
This is more than just Japanese fried chicken — it’s a crispy obsession. I first tasted Karaage in Japan, and instantly knew I had to crack the code. It’s now one of the easiest and most reliable recipes in my kitchen.
Juicy chicken thigh, marinated in simple bold flavours, then dusted and double-fried to golden perfection — this dish delivers that satisfying crunch every single time. Cheap, cheerful, and dangerously addictive, it’s fried chicken done right.
I still make this at least once a week. Pair it with any sauce you love (Japanese BBQ is 🔥), toss it in a lunch box, or serve it with rice and pickles. Once you try it, you’ll never look at regular fried chicken the same way again.
🖤 Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Ultra crispy and juicy with no deep fryer needed
- Pantry-staple marinade with authentic flavour
- Printable recipe card with full nutrition info
- Cooked in real kitchens, not just for photos
- A true Japanese classic made easy at home
Japanese Chicken Karaage
Ingredients
- 500g boneless and skinless chicken breasts, or thighs, cut into cubes
- 6 tablespoons of Japanese cooking sake
- 3 tablespoons of soy
- 3 inches (7cm) fresh ginger, peeled and pounded with a mortar and pestle to extract 2 tablespoons ginger juice
- 1 teaspoon of sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon of cornstarch
- oil to fry your chicken
Instructions
- Use paper towels to pat the chicken dry and transfer it to a bowl. Add the sake, soy sauce, ginger juice, and sesame oil, and marinate for 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours for best results). Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade and coat them evenly with cornstarch in a plastic bag, such as a Ziplock. Shake off the excess cornstarch.
- Heat a wok or pot of cooking oil. When the oil is hot enough for frying (350°F – 375°F or 176°C – 190°C), carefully drop in the chicken and quickly deep fry until the pieces float. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for a couple of minutes.
- Return the chicken to the oil and deep-fry again until golden brown and crunchy. Transfer to a plate or bowl lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve hot with a slice of lemon and mayonnaise.
⏱ Time & Servings
- Prep time: 10mins
- Cook time: 10mins
- Serves: 2
Nutrition (per serve)
- Calories: 361kcal
- Protein: 51g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fat: 8g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 1774g
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