Japanese-Style Karaage (Fried Chicken) Recipe

Updated May 22, 2020

Japanese-style fried chicken flavored with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce is the perfect snack for eating with sake or beer.

Recipe Details

Active 30 mins

Total 60 mins

Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 4 thighs), trimmed of excess fat, and cut into rough 1-inch chunks
2 cloves garlic, finely minced on microplane or pressed through garlic press
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
1 quart peanut oil
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 scallion, sliced fine, slices stored in ice water until ready to use (optional)
1 lemon, cut into wedges

Combine chicken, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger in medium bowl and toss until chicken is thoroughly coated in marinade. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, and up to 8 hours.
Heat vegetable oil in large Dutch oven or wok set over high heat until it reaches 350°F. Meanwhile, combine corn starch and flour in medium bowl. Remove chicken pieces from marinade and toss in flour mixture until well coated. Place in strainer basket and shake to remove excess flour. Add chicken to oil. Oil temperature should drop to around 300°F. Adjust burner to maintain 300°F temperature and cook, stirring occasionally with chopsticks or wire mesh spider until chicken is cooked through and burnished golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes.
Drain chicken pieces on paper towel-lined plate and season immediately with salt. Serve immediately, garnished with scallion and lemon slices.

Wok, Dutch oven, or deep fryer

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	468
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g	35%
Saturated Fat 6g	29%
Cholesterol 138mg	46%
Sodium 801mg	35%
Total Carbohydrate 33g	12%
Dietary Fiber 6g	21%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 31g
Vitamin C 108mg	538%
Calcium 68mg	5%
Iron 3mg	15%
Potassium 679mg	14%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.