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best chicken katsu
Carmen Spillette

Chicken Katsu Air Fryer

5 from 5 votes
Chicken Katsu is a Japanese dish that combines crispy panko-crusted chicken that will blow your mind. You can make it light and crispy in the air fryer or go for a golden fry using the stovetop. Pair with a crunchy cabbage salad drizzled in a creamy sesame dressing for the ultimate comfort meal.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 pieces of chicken katsu
Course: air fry
Cuisine: air fry

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Katsu:
  • 2 chicken breasts pounded thin
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup flour seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper
  • 2 eggs beaten
For the Cabbage Salad:
  • ½ green cabbage thinly shredded (using a mandolin for best results)
For the Japanese Sesame Dressing:
  • ½ cup white sesame seeds toasted and ground to a sandy consistency with a mortar and pestle
  • ¼ cup Kewpie mayo
  • 2 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
Garnish:
  •  
  • Tonkatsu sauce

Method
 

Prep the Chicken:
  1. Start by pounding the chicken breasts until they’re evenly thin. This helps them cook quickly and stay tender.
  2.  
Coat the Chicken:
  1. Set up a breading station: one plate with seasoned flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
  2. Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, shaking off the excess, then dip into the egg, and finally press into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring it’s well-coated.
Air Fryer Method:
  1. Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Spray both sides of the breaded chicken lightly with cooking spray.
  3. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  4.  
Shallow Fry Method:
  1. Heat about ½ inch of oil in a large pan over medium heat.
  2. Carefully place the chicken in the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
  4.  
Cabbage Salad:
  1. While the chicken is cooking, use a mandolin to thinly shred the cabbage.
  2. Toss the thinly shredded cabbage with the sesame dressing. 
  3. To make the dressing, simply combine all the ingredients and whisk until smooth.
  4.  
Assemble and Serve:
  1. Slice the chicken katsu and serve it alongside the cabbage salad.
  2. Drizzle tonkatsu sauce over the chicken and garnish with green onions for extra flavor.
  3. Enjoy this crispy chicken katsu with a side of steamed rice for a complete meal!
  4.  

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