Chicken Karaage

Authentic Japanese Chicken Karaage — a delicious chicken dish with 9 ingredients. Follow our detailed step-by-step instructions for the perfect result.

Medium
Updated March 14, 2026
1 views

15

Prep Time (min)

60

Cook Time (min)

4

servings

380

Calories/serving

Medium

Difficulty

Chicken Karaage

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 450 grams Boneless skin Chicken
  • 1 tablespoon Ginger
  • 1 clove Garlic
  • 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Sake
  • 2 teaspoon Granulated sugar
  • 1 cup Potato starch
  • 1 cup Vegetable oil
  • 1 cup Lemon

Instructions

4 steps · ~24 minutes total

  1. Step 1

    Add the ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sake and sugar to a bowl and whisk to combine. Add the chicken, then stir to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

    8 minutes
    Use room-temperature ingredients for better volume when whisking.
  2. Step 2

    Add 1 inch of vegetable oil to a heavy bottomed pot and heat until the oil reaches 360 degrees F. Line a wire rack with 2 sheets of paper towels and get your tongs out. Put the potato starch in a bowl

    5 minutes
  3. Step 3

    Add a handful of chicken to the potato starch and toss to coat each piece evenly.

    3 minutes
  4. Step 4

    Fry the karaage in batches until the exterior is a medium brown and the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the fried chicken to the paper towel lined rack. If you want the karaage to stay crispy longer, you can fry the chicken a second time, until it's a darker color after it's cooled off once. Serve with lemon wedges.

    8 minutes
    Test the oil temperature with a small piece of food — it should sizzle immediately.

💡 Tips & Tricks

This Japanese recipe for Chicken Karaage is best served fresh. Adjust seasoning to your taste.

🔄 Variations

• Protein swap: Try substituting the main protein with chicken, tofu, or shrimp for a different take on this dish. • Spice level: Adjust the heat to your preference — add more chili for extra kick, or reduce it for a milder version. • Vegetarian: Replace meat with mushrooms, chickpeas, or your favorite plant-based protein. • Fusion twist: Combine elements of Japanese cuisine with your local favorites for a creative fusion dish.

Storage & Reheating

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 3 days in an airtight container

🧊

Freezer

Up to 2 months — thaw overnight in fridge

🔥

Reheat in a skillet or microwave until heated through.

What to Serve With

Complete your japanese meal with these perfect pairings:

🍽️Steamed rice
🍽️Miso soup
🍽️Pickled ginger

About This Dish

Chicken Karaage is a beloved dish from Japanese cuisine, originating in Japan. With a total preparation time of about 75 minutes, it is a rewarding project for when you have extra time in the kitchen.

Japanese cuisine (washoku) is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. It emphasizes seasonal ingredients, beautiful presentation, and the harmonious balance of five flavors: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami.

This recipe is rated medium difficulty and uses 9 ingredients. Intermediate cooks will enjoy the balanced challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best cut of chicken for Chicken Karaage is boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They remain juicy and tender during frying.

Rate This Recipe

How was this recipe?

Share This Recipe

Nutrition Facts

4 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories380kcal
Total Fat17g
Sodium477mg
Total Carbohydrates42g
Dietary Fiber3g
Protein46g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CuisineJapanese
CategoryDinner
CountryJapan