Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Equipment
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Chicken Katsu
- 16 oz chicken breast, thinly sliced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Optional Garnishes
- Shredded cabbage
- Tonkatsu sauce
Instructions
- Season your thinly sliced chicken breast with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Set up a dredging station with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Dredge the chicken in flour first, then egg, then panko, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated.
- Add oil to your air fryer basket and place the chicken inside in a single layer. Spray the tops lightly with more oil.
- Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Slice the chicken katsu and serve over a fresh bowl of rice. Optionally add shredded cabbage and drizzle with tonkatsu sauce.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Table of Contents
What Makes This Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Better Than Regular Katsu
I love this Air Fryer Chicken Katsu because not only does it taste just as good, but it’s also healthier and easier to clean up after you make it! There’s no hot oil, no splatters you have to clean up, and no standing over the stove making sure you don’t burn the chicken! The air fryer is great because you still get that crispy outside and juicy inside without the cleanup, oil, and effort! I love to make this on the weeknights for a healthy, yet indulgent meal.
What Makes This Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Better Than Takeout
I think that this Air Fryer Chicken Katsu still has that signature bite without it feeling too heavy. One of my biggest gripes is the burst of oil you get when you bite into a piece of katsu, which makes it feel super greasy without tasting the actual flavors of the panko coating and chicken! With this version you’re able to taste the other components of the dish such as the umami tonkatsu sauce, slightly sweet but refreshing cabbage, and the rice! It tastes like something you’d order out but fresher, and healthier!
What You’ll Need To Make Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Chicken Katsu
- 16 oz. chicken breast, thinly sliced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Optional Garnishes
- Shredded cabbage
- Tonkatsu sauce
- Rice, for serving
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Season the thinly sliced chicken breast generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
Set up a simple dredging station with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Coat each piece of chicken in flour, dip it into the egg, then press firmly into the panko so it sticks well.
Lightly oil the air fryer basket and place the chicken in a single layer. Spray the tops lightly with oil.
Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
Slice and serve hot over rice with shredded cabbage and tonkatsu sauce.
Tips & Variations
Make sure the chicken is evenly sliced. Thin, even pieces cook evenly and will guarantee that your katsu will be juicy. If you don’t want to slice your own chicken breast, I like to buy chicken cutlets from the grocery store, which are already thinly sliced for you!
If you want an even juicier piece of katsu, use chicken thighs. They stay incredibly tender and are more forgiving than chicken breast.
In order to get your katsu as crispy as possible, spray both sides with oil. It’ll help the panko brown evenly and give you that classic deep golden color.
To reheat your chicken katsu and still keep the crispiness, toss your chicken katsu in the air fryer for a few minutes at the same temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake this instead of air frying?
Yes. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying lightly with oil for better browning.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating helps the chicken crisp up faster and more evenly, but if your air fryer skips that step, just add a minute or two to the cook time.
Can I freeze cooked chicken katsu?
Definitely. Let it cool completely, freeze in a single layer, then reheat straight from frozen in the air fryer until hot and crispy. This is great for meal prep!
Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes. Bread the chicken and refrigerate it uncooked for up to a day. Air fry right before serving for the best texture.
Try These Next
• Want something just as fast? Try my Beef Yaki Udon!
• Looking for a similar flavor profile? Check out my Crispy Roasted Potatoes!
• Craving noodles instead of chicken? You’ll love my Chili Oil Vodka Pasta!
