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    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Recipe

    Published: Mar 1, 2023 · Modified: Mar 11, 2023 by Beth Sachs · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 5 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Make delicious and crispy air fryer chicken katsu with homemade katsu curry sauce. Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner!

    Succulent chicken breast fillets are coated in panko breadcrumbs and air fried until crispy and golden before being drizzled with the easy katsu curry sauce. Best served with rice.

    Air fryer chicken katsu with rice on a white plate.

    My air fryer chicken katsu recipe with homemade katsu curry sauce is a delicious and healthier take on the traditional Japanese dish.

    By using an air fryer instead of deep-frying the chicken, you can enjoy a crispy and golden brown coating without all the added oil. Plus, the homemade katsu curry sauce is super easy to make with store cupboard ingredients!

    Check out my eBook⭐Easy Air Fryer Recipes⭐ which includes 20 straightforward and easy-to-follow recipes for your air fryer. You'll be a pro at air fryer cooking in no time! Don't miss out, get your copy today!

    👩‍🍳 Love air fryer meals? try my easy air fryer chicken fajitas next!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🥄 Equipment
    • What is an air fryer?
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 💭 Expert tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • 😋 More easy air fryer recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    • An easy weeknight dinner.
    • Healthier (with minimal oil) than traditional Japanese katsu chicken curry.
    • Tasty, flavourful, and family-friendly.
    • Quick to make.
    • Recipe easily halved to feed 2 people.

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for air fryer chicken katsu recipe.

    For the panko chicken;

    Chicken - four skinless and boneless chicken breast fillets, or swap for chicken thighs.

    Flour - plain white flour for coating the chicken.

    Egg - to help the breadcrumbs stick.

    Panko Breadcrumbs - or use dried natural breadcrumbs instead.

    Salt & Pepper - for seasoning the crispy breadcrumb coating.

    Olive Oil Spray - a few squirts of olive oil spray (or another type of oil such as sunflower or vegetable oil) will ensure the chicken breasts don't stick to the air fryer basket.

    For the katsu curry sauce;

    Curry Paste - I use a mild korma curry paste, but use a medium or hot curry paste if you like your food spicy.

    Cornflour - to thicken the curry sauce.

    Ketchup - helps to create the base of the base and add richness.

    Honey - clear runny honey adds sweetness.

    Soy Sauce - for extra flavour. You could also use Worcestershire sauce instead.

    Boiling Water - 300ml of boiling water to make the katsu curry sauce the perfect consistency.

    🥄 Equipment

    Which air fryer? I use the Ninja Foodi 5.8 litre Grill and Air Fryer with 4 customisable cooking functions including air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate!

    What is an air fryer?

    Air fryers are small(ish) kitchen appliances that operate like a convection oven—except in a smaller, more concentrated space.

    The air is circulated at a high temperature and evenly around the food, which makes the food cook more quickly than in a conventional oven (saving energy), and helps give foods a crispy coating without the need for lots of oil and fat.

    🔪 Instructions

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Preheat the air fryer to 180C (350F) and spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray.

    Two: Put the flour, egg, and seasoned panko breadcrumbs in 3 separate wide shallow bowls. Coat each chicken breast in flour, then egg, then the breadcrumbs.

    Pro Tip - If your chicken breasts are very thick in the middle, you can pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before breading and air frying. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to do this.

    Three: Air fry for the required time. Cooking times will vary depending on the size and weight of your chicken breasts. Always test with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be 75C (165F).

    170g (6oz) chicken breast - 15 -16 minutes total cooking time

    225g (8oz) chicken breast - 18 -19 minutes total cooking time

    280g (10oz) chicken breast - 20 -21 minutes total cooking time

    340g (12oz) chicken breast - 22-23 minutes total cooking time

    Breadcrumbed chicken breasts in air fryer basket.

    Four: While the chicken is cooking, place the curry paste in a saucepan on a low heat and whisk in the cornflour so no lumps remain.

    Five: Mix in the ketchup, soy sauce and honey.

    Six: Pour in the boiling water, turn the heat up, and whisk until the sauce boils.

    Seven: Turn down the heat to low and continue to stir until the sauce has thickened.

    Katsu curry sauce in a saucepan.

    💭 Expert tips

    • Use Panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and airier than regular breadcrumbs, which makes them perfect for getting a crispy coating on the chicken katsu. They're also more absorbent, so they soak up less oil and stay crispy for longer.
    • Pound the chicken evenly: If your chicken breasts are very thick in the middle, you can pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before breading and air frying. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to do this.
    • Make the katsu curry sauce in advance: The katsu curry sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. This not only saves time, but also allows the flavours to develop and intensify.
    • Double coat the chicken: For extra crispy chicken katsu, double coat the chicken by dipping it in the egg and breadcrumb mixture twice. This will create a thicker coating that's extra crispy and golden brown.
    • Don't overcrowd the air fryer: To ensure that the chicken katsu cooks evenly and gets crispy on all sides, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary, leaving some space around each piece.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    1. With rice: Serve the chicken katsu on a bed of steamed rice for a classic Japanese dish. You can use white rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, or even sushi rice.
    2. With noodles: Serve the chicken katsu with noodles, such as soba noodles or udon noodles, for a hearty and filling meal. Drizzle some of the katsu curry sauce over the noodles for added flavour.
    3. In a sandwich: Make a chicken katsu sandwich by placing the chicken between two slices of bread or a bun. Add some lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise for a delicious and filling lunch.
    4. With salad: Serve the chicken katsu with a side salad for a lighter and healthier meal. Use your favourite greens, such as lettuce or spinach, and add some sliced vegetables, such as cucumber or carrot, for crunch.
    5. In a wrap: Make a chicken katsu wrap by placing the chicken in a tortilla or wrap along with some lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise. Drizzle some of the katsu curry sauce over the top.
    6. With vegetables: Serve the chicken katsu with some steamed or roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, carrots, or air fryer green beans, for a balanced meal.
    7. On a bento box: Pack the chicken katsu, rice, and some vegetables into a bento box for a traditional Japanese lunch.
    Air fried chicken katsu on a plate with rice.

    📖 Variations

    • Make it veggie with extra firm tofu. Cut the tofu into thick slices, dip them in the flour, then the egg, and finally the panko breadcrumbs. Air fry the tofu for about 10-12 minutes until it's crispy and golden brown.
    • Substitute the chicken with pork tenderloin or pork loin. Cut the pork into thick slices, pound them to an even thickness, dip them in the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. Air fry the pork for about 12-15 minutes until it's crispy and golden brown
    • Add a chopped cooked onion to the katsu curry sauce for more flavour.

    🥡 Storage

    Store - The chicken katsu and the katsu curry sauce can be stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

    Reheat - Place the chicken back in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 5-7 minutes or until it's heated through and crispy again. To reheat the katsu curry sauce, heat it up in a saucepan over medium heat, or in the microwave.

    Freeze - The chicken katsu and the katsu curry sauce can be frozen in separate airtight containers for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.

    Air fryer chicken katsu with rice and a pair of chopsticks on the side.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    Can I make this recipe without an air fryer?

    Yes, you can make this recipe without an air fryer by baking the chicken katsu in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until it's crispy and golden brown.

    Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko breadcrumbs?

    Panko breadcrumbs are preferred for this recipe because they create a lighter and crispier texture. However, if you can't find panko breadcrumbs, you can use regular breadcrumbs instead. Just keep in mind that the texture may be a bit denser.

    Can I make the chicken katsu without breadcrumbs?

    No, the breadcrumbs are essential for the crispy coating on the chicken katsu. However, you can use gluten-free breadcrumbs if you need to make this recipe gluten-free. If you want plain air fried chicken follow my recipe for air fryer chicken breasts.

    Can I use a different type of curry paste?

    Yes, you can use a different type of curry paste, such as Thai green curry paste or tikka masala paste.

    Can I make the katsu curry sauce in advance?

    Yes, you can make the katsu curry sauce in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Just reheat it in a saucepan or microwave before serving.

    😋 More easy air fryer recipes

    • Easy Air Fryer Cheese Scones Recipe
    • Best Air Fryer Tuna Melt Recipe
    • Easy Air Fryer Apple Crumble Recipe
    • Easy Air Fryer Flapjacks Recipe

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    Recipe

    Air fryer chicken katsu with a homemade katsu curry sauce drizzled on top.
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    5 from 7 votes

    Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Recipe

    Make delicious and crispy Air Fryer Chicken Katsu with homemade Katsu Curry Sauce. Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Japanese
    Keyword air fryer chicken katsu, air fryer katsu, chicken katsu air fryer
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 18 minutes
    Total Time 28 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 477kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer
    • Saucepan
    • Whisk
    • Measuring Jug

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 4 Chicken Breasts boneless and skinless
    • 4 tablespoon Plain Flour
    • 1 Egg beaten
    • 100 g Panko Breadcrumbs
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • ⅛ teaspoon Oil Spray olive oil or sunflower oil

    For the homemade katsu curry sauce

    • 2½ tablespoon Korma Curry Paste
    • 2 tablespoon Cornflour
    • 4 tablespoon Ketchup
    • 2 tablespoon Honey
    • 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
    • 300 ml Boiling Water

    Instructions

    • Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350F) and spray the air fryer basket with olive oil spray.
      ⅛ teaspoon Oil Spray
    • Put the flour, egg, and seasoned panko breadcrumbs in 3 separate wide shallow bowls. Coat each chicken breast in flour, then egg, then the breadcrumbs.
      Pro Tip - If your chicken breasts are very thick in the middle, you can pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before breading and air frying. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to do this.
      4 Chicken Breasts, 4 tablespoon Plain Flour, 1 Egg, 100 g Panko Breadcrumbs, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • Air fry for the required time (see below). Cooking times will vary depending on the size and weight of your chicken breasts. Always test with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should have reached 75°C (165F).
      170g (6oz) chicken breast - 15 -16 minutes total cooking time
      225g (8oz) chicken breast - 18 -19 minutes total cooking time
      280g (10oz) chicken breast - 20 -21 minutes total cooking time
      340g (12oz) chicken breast - 22-23 minutes total cooking time
    • Whilst the chicken is cooking, place the curry paste in a saucepan on a low heat and whisk in the cornflour so no lumps remain.
      2½ tablespoon Korma Curry Paste, 2 tablespoon Cornflour
    • Mix in the ketchup, soy sauce and honey.
      4 tablespoon Ketchup, 2 tablespoon Honey, 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce
    • Pour in the boiling water, turn the heat up, and whisk until the sauce boils.
      300 ml Boiling Water
    • Turn down the heat to low and continue to stir until the sauce has thickened.
    • Serve the crispy coated chicken cut into slices and drizzled with the katsu curry sauce.

    Notes

    Expert Tips:
    • Use Panko breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and airier than regular breadcrumbs, which makes them perfect for getting a crispy coating on the chicken katsu. They're also more absorbent, so they soak up less oil and stay crispy for longer.
    • Pound the chicken evenly: If your chicken breasts are very thick in the middle, you can pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before breading and air frying. Use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to do this.
    • Make the katsu curry sauce in advance: The katsu curry sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. This not only saves time, but also allows the flavours to develop and intensify.
    • Double coat the chicken: For extra crispy chicken katsu, double coat the chicken by dipping it in the egg and breadcrumb mixture twice. This will create a thicker coating that's extra crispy and golden brown.
    • Don't overcrowd the air fryer: To ensure that the chicken katsu cooks evenly and gets crispy on all sides, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary, leaving some space around each piece.
     
    Variations:
    • Make it veggie with extra firm tofu. Cut the tofu into thick slices, dip them in the flour, then the egg, and finally the panko breadcrumbs. Air fry the tofu for about 10-12 minutes until it's crispy and golden brown.
    • Substitute the chicken with pork tenderloin or pork loin. Cut the pork into thick slices, pound them to an even thickness, dip them in the flour, then the egg, and finally the breadcrumbs. Air fry the pork for about 12-15 minutes until it's crispy and golden brown
    • Add a chopped cooked onion to the katsu curry sauce for more flavour.
     
    Storage:
    Store - The chicken katsu and the katsu curry sauce can be stored separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
    Reheat - Place the chicken back in the air fryer at 350°F (180°C) for 5-7 minutes or until it's heated through and crispy again. To reheat the katsu curry sauce, heat it up in a saucepan over medium heat, or in the microwave.
    Freeze - The chicken katsu and the katsu curry sauce can be frozen in separate airtight containers for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Recipe
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    477
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    9
    g
    14
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    13
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.03
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    186
    mg
    62
    %
    Sodium
     
    1140
    mg
    50
    %
    Potassium
     
    967
    mg
    28
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    41
    g
    14
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    14
    g
    16
    %
    Protein
     
    54
    g
    108
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    1681
    IU
    34
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    4
    mg
    5
    %
    Calcium
     
    82
    mg
    8
    %
    Iron
     
    3
    mg
    17
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    Check out my eBook⭐Easy Air Fryer Recipes⭐ which includes 20 straightforward and easy-to-follow recipes for your air fryer. You'll be a pro at air fryer cooking in no time! Don't miss out, get your copy today!

    More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

    • Easy Air Fryer Brownies Recipe
    • Air Fryer Creme Egg Croissants Recipe
    • Air Fryer Mini Egg Dessert Pots
    • Easy Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katherine

      March 01, 2023 at 1:23 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great idea to get the chicken nice and crispy in the air fryer! I love this katsu.

      Reply
    2. Dana

      March 01, 2023 at 3:01 pm

      5 stars
      I love that this is made in the air fryer. People underestimate the amount of crisp you can get in there! These are fantastic!

      Reply
    3. Wanda

      March 01, 2023 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      I'm crazy about chicken katsu but never thought to make it in an air fryer. Such a great idea, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Tara

      March 01, 2023 at 3:16 pm

      5 stars
      Oooh, such a delicious and easy dinner. This looks fantastic with that panko breading and how quickly it comes together in the air fryer.

      Reply
    5. Stephanie

      March 01, 2023 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      I loved this recipe! Next time, though, I'm doubling the sauce so I have more for my rice 🙂

      Reply

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    Beth Sachs Food Blogger

    Hi, I’m Beth, a Mum of three (and one crazy dog), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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