If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner with a Japanese twist, this air fryer chicken katsu recipe is for you. This comforting dish is delicious, versatile, and easy to make.
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Panko breadcrumbs make this chicken katsu air fryer recipe irresistibly crispy and golden brown on the outside with tender, juicy meat on the inside.
The signature katsu sauce is tangy and savory, with just the right touch of sweetness. You’ll be amazed how simple ingredients can create such a flavorful masterpiece, and your family will surely agree.
Air fryer chicken katsu is a kid-friendly recipe that is versatile enough for even the pickiest of eaters.
Serve it with rice and veggies, enjoy it on a sandwich, or pair it with french fries and various sauces. There is no wrong way to enjoy this dish!
Since we’re cooking chicken katsu in the air fryer, it has the added bonus of being way healthier than traditional deep fried versions.
This is one of my favorite things about cooking in the air fryer. We can have perfectly flaky, golden brown bites with no gallons of oil or giant greasy messes involved!
Here’s what I’m going to teach you in this post:
- Everything you need to make this easy chicken katsu in the air fryer.
- Step by step instructions for making perfectly crispy air fryer chicken katsu.
- Recipe suggestions to serve alongside your chicken katsu.
This chicken katsu air fryer recipe is easy and irresistibly delicious. It’s the perfect idea for your next chicken dinner.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.
STEP ONE: Pat dry your chicken breasts and slice them in half horizontally with a sharp knife, creating four filets. Use a meat mallet to make each piece ½ inch thick—season with salt and pepper.
STEP TWO: Spray the inner basket of your air fryer with cooking spray and preheat to 350 degrees F.
STEP THREE: Whisk together the water and egg in a wide, shallow bowl until well combined. Place the Panko bread crumbs in a separate bowl. Dip each chicken piece in the egg mixture before evenly coating it with the Panko crumbs. Repeat this process to double coat each piece.
STEP FOUR: Arrange chicken in an even layer in the basket and spray the top with cooking spray. Air fry the chicken for 16-18 minutes, flipping often and spraying with cooking spray. Repeat this for all chicken pieces. Chicken will be golden brown and should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when done.
STEP FIVE: While your chicken is cooking, make your katsu sauce by combining all ingredients and whisking until combined. Feel free to adjust to taste.
STEP SIX: Transfer cooked chicken from the air fryer to the cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve over rice with vegetables and your prepared katsu sauce. Enjoy!
What is Chicken Katsu Made Of?
Chicken Katsu is a popular Japanese comfort food. Thin cutlets of chicken are dredged in an egg mixture before being coated in panko crumbs, fried, and served with signature katsu sauce.
You end up with chicken that is perfectly golden brown and crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.
Katsu sauce is similar to barbeque sauce, usually containing a mixture of Worcestershire sauce, soy or oyster sauce, tomato, spices, and sugar.
You can make the easy katsu sauce included in this recipe or opt for a store-bought variety like this Kikkoman katsu sauce.
Does Panko Work in the Air Fryer?
Yes! Panko breadcrumbs are what make this air fryer chicken katsu so crispy and delicious. Just be sure they are well adhered to the surface of your food to avoid too much mess.
What Do You Serve With Air Fryer Chicken Katsu?
Traditionally, katsu is served up with a heap of steaming rice and vegetables. Here are some easy recipes to get you started:
- Air Fryer Rice
- Air Fryer Bok Choy
- Air Fryer Squash
- Air Fryer Broccoli
- Sweet and Spicy Brussels Sprouts
Air fryer chicken katsu is also perfect to enjoy as a sandwich or as chicken fingers. Try pairing it with some of these recipes to make it a meal:
What is the Difference Between Chicken Katsu and Chicken Cutlet?
Japanese chicken katsu and western chicken schnitzel are similar, with a few key differences. Both are thin, breaded cuts of chicken that are fried to perfection.
Chicken Katsu is different because it uses panko bread crumbs rather than regular bread crumbs. This gives the dish that distinctively golden brown, flaky crust that sets it apart from schnitzel.
And, of course, we can’t forget the katsu sauce that the whole dish is named after. Katsu sauce gives this air fryer chicken katsu that savory sweet, and distinguishing kick of flavor.
Other Air Fryer Chicken Recipes You’ll Love:
- Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Shake and Bake Chicken in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich
- Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken
- Bone in Chicken Breasts in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Bone in Chicken Thighs
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Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Kosher salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 ½ cups Panko bread crumbs
Katsu Sauce
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon oyster sauce or soy sauce, plus more to taste
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
Serve with
- Steamed Rice
- Steamed Vegetables
- Katsu Sauce
Instructions
- Dry the chicken breasts with paper towels, then use a sharp knife to cut them in half horizontally, creating four filets. If necessary, use a meat mallet to pound each portion to about ½-inch thickness. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F, spraying the inner basket with cooking spray.
- In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together the egg and water until well combined. To a second bowl, add the Panko bread crumbs.Â
- Dredge the chicken in the egg, then press them into the bread crumbs, coating evenly. Repeat the process a second time with each piece, double coating them.
- Place the chicken in an even layer in the air fryer basket, spraying the top with cooking spray.
- Air fry for 16-18 minutes, carefully flipping the chicken halfway through and spraying with cooking spray before continuing to cook until golden brown and 165 degrees F internally. Repeat with the remaining pieces of chicken.
- Transfer the katsu to a cutting board to rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Serve over rice, with vegetables and katsu sauce.
KATSU SAUCE:
- Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk well to combine. Adjust the flavors to your liking, making it saltier or sweeter as desired. Refrigerate any leftover sauce.
What kind of oil spray do you recommend?
I use everything from olive oil to EVOO, vegetable oil, and avocado oil! My go-to has just always been vegetable oil and EVOO.