My parents lived on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii for 20 years, and one of our favorite things to eat there was Hawaiian Style Chicken Katsu. We loved to get it at Ted's, a local bakery, where it's served Hawaiian plate lunch style with white rice and a big old scoop of mac salad. When not there, we continuously crave chicken katsu and spam musubi, two of my family's favorite Hawaiian foods. In fact, my younger brother got married in Hawaii two summers ago, and we ordered 250 musubi to be served at his wedding!! This Hawaiian Chicken Katsu is an ode to Ted's with an elevated twist, and I'm sure if you give it a try, it is sure to become one of your favorites too!
Looking for more delicious dinners? Try my slow cooker Chicken Curry recipe, Pulled Pork Tacos, or this Pesto Pasta recipe!!
Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
This chicken katsu is made in the air fryer, which adds this delicious crunch without having to deep fry it. It also has a savory tonkatsu sauce that is sure to become your favorite part of the dish. With each bite, you'll be saying, "katsu-believe" how good it is!
Table of Contents🤍
Jump to:
- Air Fryer Chicken Katsu
- Table of Contents🤍
- What you'll love about this recipe
- Recipe Ingredients
- Ingredient Notes:
- How to make Hawaiian Chicken Katsu: Step by Step
- Expert Tips and Tricks
- Confidence Tip
- Storage & Reheating
- Additions & Substitutions
- Your Questions Answered
- Try These Next...
- Hawaiian Chicken Katsu
- Ingredient Notes:
- Expert Tips and Tricks
What you'll love about this recipe
🤍 Healthier Option: Using the air fryer instead of deep frying reduces the amount of oil used, making it a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken katsu.
🤍 Flavor Town: The Katsu sauce for this recipe has delicious layers of flavors that will blow your mind!
🤍 Crispy Texture: Despite being cooked in the air fryer, the chicken still develops a wonderfully crispy and golden-brown exterior thanks to the panko breadcrumbs.
Recipe Ingredients
You’ll need the following ingredients to make these delicious Chicken Katsu Bowls:
- skinless chicken breasts
- all-purpose flour
- eggs
- panko breadcrumbs
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- cooking spray
- ketchup
- Worcestershire sauce
- soy sauce
- brown sugar
- Dijon mustard
- fresh ginger (optional)
Ingredient Notes:
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds depth and umami to the katsu sauce. It's a key ingredient that enhances the overall flavor profile and is readily available at your local grocery store.
- Fresh Ginger (optional): Freshly grated ginger adds a bright, aromatic flavor to the katsu sauce. It's optional but highly recommended for an extra layer of complexity.
How to make Hawaiian Chicken Katsu: Step by Step
Here are some quick visual instructions. The full instructions with exact ingredients will be in the recipe card below!
Pound the chicken breasts between plastic wrap until they reach an even thickness.
Liberally season chicken with salt and pepper
Set up breading station
Air fry at 400°F for 12-15 minutes
Combine ingredients in small sauce pan and simmer 4-5 minutes
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Double Coating for Extra Crispiness: For an even crunchier coating, double coat the chicken by dipping it in the egg and breadcrumbs twice before air frying.
- Don't Crowd the Air Fryer Basket: Make sure to leave some space between the chicken cutlets in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Spray with Oil for Crispiness: Lightly spray the breaded chicken with oil before air frying to promote even browning and crispiness.
Confidence Tip
Make an Extra side of Katsu Sauce: The katsu sauce is so delicious that you might want to make extra for dipping or for drizzling over rice. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week and is great for adding flavor to other dishes like stir-frys or sandwiches.
Storage & Reheating
- Refrigeration - Allow any leftover Chicken Katsu to cool to room temperature before storing. Place it in an airtight container and refrigerate it within 2 hours of cooking. Properly stored, it will last in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating - Air Fryer: For the best results, reheat the Chicken Katsu in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken in the air fryer basket and heat for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
Additions & Substitutions
ADDITIONS:
- Japanese Curry Powder: Add a teaspoon of Japanese curry powder to the flour or panko breadcrumb mixture for a hint of curry flavor in the chicken coating.
- Rice Vinegar: Add a splash of rice vinegar to the Katsu Sauce for a tangy acidity that balances the sweetness.
- Shredded Coconut: Mix shredded coconut with the panko breadcrumbs for a tropical twist on the classic Chicken Katsu.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- Chicken Thighs: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for a juicier and more flavorful option.
- Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs: Substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version of Chicken Katsu.
- Soy Milk or Almond Milk: Use soy milk or almond milk instead of egg for a vegan-friendly alternative. Simply dip the chicken in the milk before coating with flour and breadcrumbs.
- Barbecue Sauce: Use barbecue sauce as a base for the Katsu Sauce for a smoky and tangy flavor twist.
Your Questions Answered
Yes, you can bake the Chicken Katsu in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively, you can deep fry the Chicken Katsu until golden brown and crispy.
Yes, you can use other proteins such as pork loin, tofu, or fish fillets to make katsu. These all make delicious alternatives.
Try These Next...
- Parmesan Truffle Fries
- 4 Ingredient Guacamole Recipe
- Decadent One-Layer Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Crispy Salted Caramel Cookies Recipe
🤍
I hope you love this Hawaiian Chicken Katsu!! If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating. I would love to hear from you! Bon Appétit, xoxo!
Hawaiian Chicken Katsu
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
For Chicken Katsu
- 2 chicken breasts boneless, skinless
- ½ cup all-purpose flour 60g
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs 100g
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- kosher salt and pepper to taste
- cooking spray or oil spray
For Katsu Sauce:
- ¼ cup ketchup 60ml
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 30ml
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce 15ml
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar 13g
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 5g
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional) 5g
For Serving
- steamed white rice
- shredded cabbage
- sliced cucumbers
- avocado
- garnishes: green onions, flaky sea salt & toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer:Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for about 5 minutes.
- Prepare Chicken:Start by pounding the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap until they are about ½ inch (1.25 centimeters) thick. This ensures even cooking.Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Set Up Breading Station:In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, and onion powder.Place the beaten egg in another shallow dish.In a third shallow dish, spread out the panko breadcrumbs.
- Bread the Chicken:Coat each chicken breast first in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess.Then dip it into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off.Finally, coat it evenly with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Air Fry Chicken:Lightly spray the breaded chicken breasts with cooking spray or oil spray. This helps to crisp up the coating.Place the breaded chicken breasts in the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not touching each other.Cook for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
- Make Katsu Sauce:While the chicken is cooking, prepare the katsu sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and grated fresh ginger if using.Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is heated through and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Serve:Once the chicken is cooked, transfer it to a serving plate.Drizzle the katsu sauce over the chicken or serve it on the side for dipping.Serve your air fryer chicken katsu hot, with steamed white rice, shredded cabbage, sliced cucumber, creamy avocado, and garnished with green onions, flaky sea salt, and toasted sesame seeds. Feel free to change it up and use whatever veggies you love.
Notes
Ingredient Notes:
-
- Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce adds depth and umami to the katsu sauce. It's a key ingredient that enhances the overall flavor profile and is readily available at your local grocery store.
-
- Fresh Ginger (optional): Freshly grated ginger adds a bright, aromatic flavor to the katsu sauce. It's optional but highly recommended for an extra layer of complexity.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Double Coating for Extra Crispiness: For an even crunchier coating, double coat the chicken by dipping it in the egg and breadcrumbs twice before air frying.
- Don't Crowd the Air Fryer Basket: Make sure to leave some space between the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation. Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Spray with Oil for Crispiness: Lightly spray the breaded chicken with oil before air frying to promote even browning and crispiness.
Claire
Wow! This is honestly amazing, the Katsu Sauce is finger licking good!