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Crispy Japanese chicken karaage garnished with lemon wedges, lettuce and purple cabbage on a plate.

Crispy Chicken Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

This crispy Chicken Karaage recipe features juicy marinated chicken thighs coated in potato starch and fried until golden and crunchy. This easy Japanese fried chicken recipe is perfect for appetizers, rice bowls, or bento lunches.
Servings 4
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Marinating time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ lbs boneless chicken thighs cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp sake
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
  • ¾ cup potato starch or cornstarch
  • 2 cups neutral frying oil
  • 1 lemon cut into wedges
  • lettuce leaves garnish
  • shredded purple cabbage garnish

Instructions

  • Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces.
  • In a bowl, mix soy sauce, sake, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger.
  • Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
  • Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan or wok.
  • Coat each piece of chicken in potato starch.
  • Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  • Remove and rest briefly.
  • Optional: fry again for 1 minute for extra crispiness.
  • Drain on paper towels and garnish with lemon wedges and colorful lettuce and cabbage.

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 portion (about ¼ recipe)
Calories: 360 (18% DV)
Carbohydrates: 18g (6% DV)
Protein: 28g (56% DV)
Fat: 18g (23% DV)
Saturated Fat: 4g (20% DV)
Cholesterol: 110mg (37% DV)
Sodium: 720mg (31% DV)
Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
Sugar: 1g
Nutrition information is an estimate only and may vary based on ingredient brands, substitutions, cooking methods, and portion sizes.
Course: Appetizer, lunch, main dish
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: authentic Japanese karaage,, chicken karaage recipe, crispy karaage chicken, easy karaage recipe, Japanese fried chicken, karaage recipe with soy ginger marinade