Air fryer Chicken Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
This air fryer chicken karaage is crispy, juicy, super flavorful, and undeniably as addictive as the classic chicken karaage, which is deep fried. Our air fryer version is easier to make, uses the minimal oil, and the best part — no oil clean up afterwards! If you're looking for more recipes to make in your air fryer, also try our air fryer chicken katsu, crispy pork belly, and char siu chicken!
Ingredients
For the chicken karaage:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1 inch pieces
- ¼ cup sake
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce light sodium
- 2 teaspoons ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ¾ cup potato starch
- Cooking spray any neutral oil spray with high smoke point is fine
To serve:
- Kewpie mayo
- Shichimi togarashi
- Lemon cut into wedges
Instructions
- Place the chicken thigh, sake, soy sauce, grated ginger, salt, and sugar into a glass mixing bowl and mix well. Cover and allow the chicken to marinate at least 1 hour on the kitchen counter, but best overnight in the fridge.
- Generously spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Coat each piece of marinated chicken well with potato starch. Make sure to allow the excess marinate drip off before putting the chicken in the potato starch.
- Arrange the dredged chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket and spray the top of the chicken generously with cooking spray. DO NOT overlap!
- Air fryer the chicken karaage at 375°F for 8 minutes without flipping. Then flip each piece of chicken and spray the top with cooking spray. Air fry for another 8 minute at 400°F without flipping.
- Remove the chicken karaage and enjoy while hot by itself or with a spritz of lemon and some kewpie mayo topped with togarashi.
Notes
Please refer to the post above for step by step photo reference, tips, storage, and FAQs!
- Make sure to spray the bottom of the air fryer basket VERY generously because as the chicken sits, the potato starch will absorb all the excess moisture and turn the dry dredge into a sticky batter.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 362.9kcal | Carbohydrates: 36.5g | Protein: 33.3g | Fat: 6.4g | Saturated Fat: 1.6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 143.6mg | Sodium: 1602.6mg | Potassium: 807mg | Fiber: 2.5g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 36.3IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 43.7mg | Iron: 2.1mg
Keywords: air fryer chicken recipe, easy recipe
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