Japanese-Style Karaage (Fried Chicken) Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated May 22, 2020
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Japanese-style fried chicken flavored with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce is the perfect snack for eating with sake or beer.

Recipe Details

Japanese-Style Karaage (Fried Chicken) Recipe

Active 30 mins
Total 60 mins
Serves 4 servings
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

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

Directions

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Drain chicken pieces on paper towel-lined plate and season immediately with salt. Serve immediately, garnished with scallion and lemon slices.

Special Equipment

Wok, Dutch oven, or deep fryer

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
468Calories
27gFat
33gCarbs
31gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories468
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 27g35%
Saturated Fat 6g29%
Cholesterol 138mg46%
Sodium 801mg35%
Total Carbohydrate 33g12%
Dietary Fiber 6g21%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 31g
Vitamin C 108mg538%
Calcium 68mg5%
Iron 3mg15%
Potassium 679mg14%
*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.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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