This Air Fryer Chicken Katsu delivers all the crunch and flavor of the Japanese restaurant favorite, minus the mess and extra oil. Golden, ultra-crispy chicken cutlet with a tender, juicy center, and you did not even have to break out the deep fryer to get there.
The panko crust gets shatteringly crisp in the air fryer, while the chicken inside stays juicy and tender every single time. It comes together with just a handful of pantry staples and a simple breading station, so even a weeknight dinner can feel a little special. Serve it over rice with tonkatsu sauce and shredded cabbage, and you have got a restaurant-quality meal ready in well under 30 minutes.
Helpful Tips
- Press the panko on firmly: Gently pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken after dipping helps them adhere fully, so you get an even, crackly crust with no bare spots.
- Don’t skip the resting step: Letting the breaded chicken sit on a wire rack for a few minutes before air frying helps the coating set, so it holds together better once it starts cooking.
- Avoid overcrowding the basket: Give each piece of chicken some space in the air fryer so hot air can circulate on all sides, resulting in a crispier, more even golden crust.
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Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless skinless sliced in half lengthwise
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large egg beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- cooking spray or oil
- Tonkatsu sauce, shredded cabbage, cooked rice for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each chicken piece in the flour, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the chicken into the beaten egg, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Coat the chicken with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place the chicken pieces on a wire rack to soak up the breading.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Spray the basket with cooking oil. Place the breaded chicken breasts in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching.
- Spray the top of the chicken breasts with cooking oil.
- Air fry the chicken for 10 minutes, then flip over and continue cooking for another 5-7 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the chicken from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Angela’s passion for discovering and experimenting with new flavors and recipes is at the heart of her culinary philosophy. Residing in a quaint Oregon town, she finds joy and inspiration in her kitchen. Angela has a lot of expertise in cooking and she eagerly shares her discoveries and unique creations with you.