Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (2024)

Published | Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

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Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside this Chicken Katsu is so easy to make. Don’t forget the creamy curry sauce and bring your favourite restaurant treat home.

Love Japanese flavours? Try our super easy Udon Noodle Soup.

Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (1)

I can’t even begin to describe how popular Chicken Katsu at our house. Whenever we order in chances are 3 out of 4 of us will have it as their first choice.

I am no stranger to adapting our takeout favourites to home cooking. This Butter Chicken is one of my successful creations. But the crispy, deep-fried exterior of the Chicken Katsu had me intimidated. I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to replicate it at home and let’s face it I hate deep frying.

That was my line of thinking until I realised that I could easily fake that in my Air Fryer! After a few tests I was in the possession of the recipe I was extremely proud of.

You honestly cannot tell this chicken is half the calories because of the air fryer cooking method. It tastes like the real deal fried and breaded chicken but it’s so much healthier. Just look at this beauty!

My Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce is another example where the air fryer delivers stellar results while keeping things low cal.

Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (2)

What is Chicken Katsu?

Katsu in Japanese means “cutlet”, which immediately gives you an idea of what we are dealing with. Chicken breasts are cut into thin cutlets, then coated in well-seasoned, crispy Panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried. It is often served with a mild and fragrant curry sauce and rice.

If you are confused about the curry sauce and how it relates to the Japanese cuisine, you are not alone. Curries were brought into Japan via Britain via India.

Crazy journey if you ask me but the result gave birth to some incredible food pairing. And Chicken Katsu Curry is definitely one of them.

Recipe Tips

  • As I mentioned earlier, instead of deep frying we are air frying our chicken, so what breadcrumbs we use are very important to the success of this recipe. Panko breadcrumbs are absolutely number one choice if you want a crispy coating to your food because they have a drier and flakier texture. They also absorb less oil, which is another reason why they stay crispier.
  • Chicken cutlets are dunked in flour, beaten egg and lastly, in Panko breadcrumbs in the order listed and shown in the photo below.
  • Something to watch out for is the seasoning of the flour. I used salt and black pepper. Although doesn’t seem like a big deal, they are essential to keeping this chicken far away from bland.

Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (3)

The Curry Sauce

First of all, please don’t be intimidated by the curry. It is the simplest recipe I’ve ever shared and doesn’t’ require many ingredients.

You will need onion, garlic and ginger sauteed in oil as the savoury base. To thicken the curry we add flour and make a quick roux. Then simply add any mild curry powder and turmeric to create the flavours we need.

Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (4)

I’ve used a combination of chicken stock and creamy coconut milk for my liquid. You can skip the chicken stock altogether and increase the amount of coconut milk if you want a creamier, sweeter curry.

It wouldn’t be a Japanese curry without a touch of soy sauce. The sauce will take you less than 10 minute to prepare.

I’ve processed my curry in a blender for a silky smooth texture we’ve come to expect from our restaurant Katsu Curry but it is not at all necessary.

Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (5)

Serving Suggestions

I always serve chicken Katsu curry with plain rice and salad. Adding a sprinkling of black or white sesame seeds on top is definitely optional but highly recommended. Such a nice crunch and flavour.

More Japanese Inspired Recipes to Try:

  • Teriyaki Salmon with Bok Choy
  • Shoyu Chicken Recipe
  • Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (6)

Chicken Katsu Curry

Julia Frey of Vikalinka

Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside this Chicken Katsu is so easy to make. Don't forget the creamy curry sauce and bring your favourite restaurant treat home.

5 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Course Main

Cuisine Japanese

Servings 4

Calories 586 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Curry

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger or ginger paste
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 250ml/ 1 cup chicken stock
  • 125ml/1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp white sugar

For the Chicken Katsu

  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • 100g/3/4 cup plain flour
  • 3 tsp salt
  • 1 ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 150g/1 ⅓ cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • oil spray

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a frying pan and sauté chopped onion over low heat until softened for about 7 minutes, then add the minced garlic and grated ginger and continue cooking for about a minute while stirring.

  • Add the turmeric, curry powder and flour and cook for 1 minute until the mixture is fragrant and looks like a paste. Gradually pour in the chicken stock and stir to combine, then add the coconut milk and soy sauce, simmer until the curry is thickened. Taste and add 1-2 teaspoons of sugar to your preference. Cool the curry slightly, then process in a blender until smooth or leave it as it is.

  • Slice the chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Add flour mixed with salt and pepper to a bowl, then panko breadcrumbs to another bowl and beaten eggs to a third bowl. Arrange them in front of you.

  • Dip each chicken cutlet first in flour, then in beaten egg, then coat it with breadcrumbs and place on a clean cutting board. Repeat with all chicken cutlets until you have 8 of them nicely coated in breadcrumbs.

  • Spray each chicken breast with an oil spray on both sides and place in your air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry on one side for 8 minutes,then flip over, spray again and air fry for 7 minutes longer.

    (My air fryer fits 2 chicken breasts at a time.) Keep the remaining raw chicken in the fridge until ready to air fry. Once the chicken is cooked, keep warm in a warm oven until ready to serve. Do not cover with foil or the breading will get soggy.

  • Warm up the curry sauce and serve with cooked chicken and plain rice.

Nutrition

Calories: 586kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 38gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 156mgSodium: 2359mgPotassium: 808mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 189IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 127mgIron: 6mg

Keyword chicken katsu, chicken katsu curry

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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About Julia Frey (Vikalinka)

Julia Frey is a London based recipe developer and photographer. Julia founded Vikalinka in 2012 with the main mission to provide her readers with delicious and accessible everyday recipes, which could be enjoyed by everyone.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tina Tarnoff says

    What temperature for the air fryer

    Reply

    • Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says

      My air fry setting is automatically set to 200C/400F.

      Reply

  2. Katie says

    Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (14)
    Katsu curry is one of my favorites! Can’t wait to try this with my family.

    Reply

  3. wilhelmina says

    Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (15)
    My husband almost didn’t believe that I made this chicken in the air fryer, it is so delish! The sauce really does take it to the next level!

    Reply

    • Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says

      Air fryer does such a good job faking that “fried” crunch, doesn’t it!!

      Reply

  4. Matt Taylor says

    Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (16)
    Incredible air fryer chicken recipe. I am always looking for new recipes to make in my air fryer. The katsu curry is amazing with the chicken!

    Reply

    • Julia Frey (Vikalinka) says

      Thanks so much, Matt!!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Chicken Katsu Curry (Air Fryer Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between Japanese curry and katsu curry? ›

Along with the sauce, a wide variety of vegetables and meats are used to make Japanese curry. The basic vegetables are onions, carrots, and potatoes. Beef, pork, and chicken are the most popular meat choices. Katsu curry is a breaded deep-fried cutlet (tonkatsu; usually pork or chicken) with Japanese curry sauce.

Can you put sauce in an air fryer? ›

Air fryers are made for frying solid food, not liquid sauces. The pressure from the air can cause the liquids to spray around in your basket, leading to all sorts of damage to your appliance. If you want to cook with sauce, use your oven or stovetop.

What is katsu curry sauce made of? ›

What is katsu curry made from? The curry sauce is the combination of curry powder, turmeric, chicken stock, coconut milk, and soy sauce, along with onions, garlic, and ginger. Served with basmati white rice and breaded chicken.

How to crisp up breaded chicken in air fryer? ›

If you happen to own an air fryer, you can certainly reheat your fried chicken in its basket. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and let the fried chicken come to room temperature. Next, arrange the fried chicken in a single layer and cook it for about four minutes, flipping it once to ensure even cooking.

Is chicken katsu curry unhealthy? ›

The curry is a sauce that tends to be milder in flavor than other curries. Unfortunately, katsu curry can be high in calories and not very healthy for you. Curries, in general, tend to be more fattening than people expect. If you're looking for a way to make your favorite dish waistline-friendly, look no further.

Why is Japanese curry so addicting? ›

The stand-out feature of a Japanese curry is its thick, rich sauce. The thickness of the sauce which can only be found in Japanese curry is supported and beloved by many. The rich and indulgent sauce mixes with rice so perfectly, you will find it difficult stoping eating.

What 5 foods should you not put in an air fryer? ›

Take a gander of this list of top foods that should never make their way into your air fryer.
  • Wet Batters. ...
  • Cheesy Items. ...
  • Large, Bone-In Meat Cuts. ...
  • Baked Goods. ...
  • Greens. ...
  • Raw Rice and Other Grains. ...
  • Too Much of Anything.
Apr 14, 2023

Why do you use parchment paper in air fryer? ›

Parchment paper is good for food that might stick to the basket, like chicken wings, making clean up a bit easier. If you're tempted to use parchment every day or are simply waste-conscious, consider instead a silicone liner for air fryers. They're reusable and dishwasher safe, cutting down on both waste and worry.

What are the disadvantages of an air fryer? ›

What are Disadvantages of Using an Air Fryer? Air fryers vary in the amount of foods they can hold, but usually do not have a large capacity. Air fryers may not be convenient when cooking for large groups. Foods that are air fried have different sensory characteristics than foods that are deep fried.

What is the red stuff in chicken katsu curry? ›

f*ckujinzuke is a type of tsukemono, or Japanese-style pickle. The store bought variety is usually an assortment of daikon, eggplant, cucumber and lotus root, depending on the brand.

What is the pink thing in katsu curry? ›

Love these Sakurazuke - pink pickled daikon mooli radish slices - really unusual sweet & sour / tangy flavour with a satsifying crunch. I tend to pop them on a Katsu curry, stir-fried noodles or ramen noodles with a Yutaka instant bonito miso soup broth (very lean but un-authentic!) or to accompany sushi.

Why is katsu curry so good? ›

It's a sweeter, richer flavour thanks to the variety of spices used and the soft onion and garlic flavours. The sweet flavours are enhanced by using soy sauce, bringing a delicious more-ish flavour to the dish. One of the great allures of katsu curry is the crispy texture.

Why is my chicken not crisping in the air fryer? ›

If your food is not crispy when coming out of an air fryer, you may not have patted it dry before putting it in to cook. Meat or proteins, or foods you may have washed, will fry better without the added moisture.

Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer? ›

Foil is safe to use in an air fryer so long as you follow three basic rules: never let foil touch the heating element; make sure the foil is weighted so it doesn't blow around the basket; and avoid contact with acidic ingredients, which can cause the foil to leach onto your food.

Is katsu sauce the same as curry? ›

In short, the sauce is just Japanese curry. Katsu is not the name of the sauce. The sauce is of course inspired by Indian curries, but it was actually the British who introduced Japan to it, via their colonisation of India at the time.

What makes Japanese curry taste different? ›

Sweetness: One of Japanese curry's most distinctive characteristics is sweetness, often provided by the addition of fruit and sometimes honey. It's the first thing you taste when curry touches your tongue.

Do Japanese eat katsu curry? ›

Katsu curry (Japanese: カツカレー, romanized: katsukarē) is a Japanese dish consisting of a pork cutlet (tonkatsu) served with a portion of Japanese rice and curry. It is served on a large plate and is typically eaten using a spoon or fork.

Is Katsu Curry sweet or spicy? ›

The sauce is not hot by any means, more warm and aromatic with distinctive fruity notes. It has a marked sweetness, especially once the honey is added. The texture of the sauce makes for a wonderful contrast with the crunch of the chicken.

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