Description
Enjoy this deliciously crispy Japanese fried chicken, marinated in umami-rich ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon potato starch (plus more for coating)
- Vegetable oil, for deep frying
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Japanese mayonnaise (optional), for dipping
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Start by placing your chicken thighs into a mixing bowl. Add soy sauce, mirin, grated ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. This marinade is what gives karaage its signature umami depth. Let the chicken soak up all that flavor for at least 30 minutes, or for best results, refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
- Coat with Potato Starch: Drain the chicken pieces slightly, then sprinkle them with potato starch. Toss until each piece is well coated. Potato starch is the secret to that ultra-crispy crust—don’t substitute it if you can avoid it.
- Heat the Oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a deep pot or heavy skillet to cover the chicken pieces. Heat it to 340–350°F (170–180°C). A kitchen thermometer really helps here for that perfect fry.
- Fry the Chicken: Working in batches, carefully lower the chicken into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pot, or your oil temperature will drop. Fry each batch for 4–5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. For an extra crispy texture, some people double-fry: first at 320°F, rest, then a second fry at 375°F.
- Drain and Serve: Transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Serve hot with lemon wedges and a dollop of Japanese mayo for dipping.
Notes
- This dish is best enjoyed immediately after frying while still hot and crispy.
- If you prefer extra crunch, consider double frying the chicken.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg