Rating: 5.00
(4)

Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Recipe

By Rachel
August 3, 2022

Crispiest air fryer chicken katsu recipe – one of my favorite air fryer recipes. Juicy chicken with a crispy coating in minutes, with just a few simple ingredients. I like to serve this katsu chicken over a bed of steamed rice and top with cucumber salad, avocado slices, nori strips, and a drizzle of sriracha mayo!

Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken Katsu bowls

Highlights:

  • Golden brown panko coating
  • Low carb option
  • Flavorful
  • Quick to make
  • Easier clean up than traditional katsu chicken
  • Versatile
  • Only a few simple ingredients

Quick Steps:

  • Pound chicken cutlets thin
  • Dredge in flour
  • Dredge in egg wash
  • Dredge in panko
  • Air fry
  • Allow to rest and slice

Really pack on the panko breadcrumbs so the chicken stays crispy all over!

Tools I used for this recipe:

Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Recipe

This healthier chicken katsu recipe lacks no flavor and yields crispy chicken in minutes.

If you like this crispiest air Fryer Chicken Katsu Recipe, you’ll like these other chicken recipes…

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

One Pan Tuscan Chicken

Arugula, Apple, and Grilled Chicken Salad

chicken cutlet in the air fryer

Cook one chicken breast at a time to avoid getting a soggy crust.

Grocery List:

  • Japanese style panko bread crumbs = key ingredient! (could substitute whole wheat panko or regular bread crumbs if needed)
  • Boneless, skinless chicken breast (could substitute boneless chicken thighs or a pork cutlet for pork katsu)
  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • Kosher salt & black pepper
  • All-purpose flour
  • Large egg

What is chicken katsu made of?

Chicken katsu is a popular Japanese food of bread chicken or pork cutlets. The cutlets are pounded out, coated in flour, egg, and panko, and shallow fried. This version is made in the air fryer but still results in a juicy interior and a crispy exterior.

Can you put raw chicken in the air fryer?

Absolutely. Cooking raw chicken in the air fryer results in a crispy exterior and a juicy interior without all of the mess of oil frying. Pound the chicken out before cooking for a quicker cooking time.

Instructions:

  • Prepare the dredging station. Fill one shallow bowl with panko. In a separate shallow bowl combine the egg and the tablespoon of water, whisk to combine. In a separate bowl combine the flour, salt, and pepper, mix to combine.
  • Take your pounded chicken cutlets and dredge in the flour mixture, then the beaten egg mixture, and finally the panko crumbs. Coating well between each step, press the panko in to adhere to the chicken.
  • Preheat your air fryer using the “air fry” setting, at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray, once preheated add your coated chicken breast. Flip the chicken halfway through. After the 15 minutes the chicken should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
  • Allow to rest for 5 minutes and slice. Serve as is or in a steamed rice bowl topped with cucumber salad, avocado, nori, sriracha mayo, sesame seeds, a drizzle of soy sauce, and sliced green onion. Best if served immediately.

Notes:

  • Recipe is for one chicken breast, double recipe as needed. Depending on the size of your air fryer, cook 1-2 chicken breasts at a time, do not stack them.
  • You could also serve this with a store-bought or homemade katsu sauce or Japanese bbq sauce.
Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Recipe

This is the best way to make crispy chicken katsu in the air fryer!

Crispiest Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Recipe

5 from 4 votes
Chicken cutlets pounded thin, dredged in flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs. Baked in the air fryer until crispy.
Servings 1 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Equipment

  • Air fryer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Boneless, skinless chicken breast, pounded thin
  • 1 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 3/4 cup Flour
  • 1 Whole egg
  • 1 tbsp Water
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the dredging station. Fill one shallow bowl with panko. In a separate shallow bowl combine the egg and the tablespoon of water, whisk to combine. In a separate bowl combine the flour, salt, and pepper, mix to combine.
  • Take your pounded chicken breast and dredge in the flour mixture, then the egg mix, and finally the panko. Coating well between each step, press the panko in to adhere to the chicken.
  • Preheat your air fryer using the "air fry" setting, at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes. Spray the basket with cooking spray, once preheated add your coated chicken breast. Flip the chicken halfway through. After the 15 minutes the chicken should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
  • Allow to rest for 5 minutes and slice. Serve as is or in a steamed rice bowl topped with cucumber salad, avocado, nori, sriracha mayo, sesame seeds, and sliced green onion. Best if served immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 873kcalCarbohydrates: 195gProtein: 45gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.03gCholesterol: 289mgSodium: 836mgPotassium: 579mgFiber: 8gSugar: 0.4gVitamin A: 272IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 45mgIron: 6mg
Author: The Hearty Life
Calories: 873kcal
Cost: $
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Keyword: Air Fryer Recipes, Buffalo Chicken, Chicken katsu, Rice Bowls

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to see it! Take a picture and post to Instagram with the tag @theheartylife and the hashtag #theheartylife – You can also leave me a question or comment below! If you’ve tried this recipe, feel free to give it a star rating on the recipe above.

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