When you become parents of school-age children, your after school hours become pretty chaotic. My children have piano lesson, swim lesson, ballet lesson…and homework that is due next day. On many days, it’s only one hour left before dinner time and I still haven’t planned what to cook.
To avoid hearing “I’m hungry” for the next 2 hours, I have a few go to recipes that are perfect for these occasions. These dishes typically utilize the (Japanese) ingredients I always keep in my kitchen. Chicken Katsu is one of those easy recipes.
Even though the main ingredient is just chicken breast, when it’s breaded with flour, egg, and panko and deep fried, the chicken transform into crispy and juicy satisfying meal. Chicken Katsu is very similar to chicken cutlet but for Japanese style cutlet, we enjoy it with So-su (ソース; “Sauce”).
When we say So-su or “sauce” in Japan, it refers to a thicker version of Worcestershire sauce slowly cooked with vegetables and fruits. You might have tried some variations of this Japanese “sauce” when you eat Okonomiyaki, Yakisoba, Tonkatsu, Korokke, and other dishes in restaurants. It’s not very common to make “sauce” from scratch at home in Japan since it requires many hours of cooking fruits and vegetables, so most people prefers to buy it from store instead. However, for readers who have no access to Tonkatsu Sauce, I tried my best to make something similar.
Although deep fried food may be considered heavy or oily sometimes, if you fry it right the food tastes light and not too oily. It takes practice to become comfortable with deep frying, but it’s a good skill to have for broadening your cooking options.
If you have leftover (or cook extra), don’t forget to make sandwiches with Chicken Katsu (so good!!). Also try my Chicken Katsu Don which has been popular and one of the frequently cooked dish by readers. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
- 3 chicken breasts (1.6 lb)
- 2 Tbsp. sake
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- All purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- Panko
- Oil for deep frying
- Tonkatsu Sauce
Instructions:
- Rinse the chicken and pat dry with paper towel. Slice the chicken diagonally.* This cutting technique is called “Sogigiri” in Japanese. Each piece will have more surface area so it will cook faster.
- Put the chicken in a bowl and add sake, salt, and pepper. Set aside for 15 minutes.
- Dust the flour on the chicken and remove excess flour.
- Then dip it in beaten egg.
- Lastly, dredge the chicken in panko and remove the excess. If you have time, let the chicken sit in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Heat 1/2 inch of oil in the cast iron skillet.** Here I dropped a piece of panko to see if the oil is ready. If you are new to deep frying, use a thermometer to check the temperature of oil (Read How To Deep Fry Food). Deep frying oil for Chicken Katsu should be 350F (180C) degree.
- Put 2-3 pieces of chicken in at a time. If you put too many chicken pieces, the temperature of oil will drop too quickly and the chicken will end up absorbing too much oil.
- Deep fry until both sides are golden brown, about 5-6 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack or paper towel-lined tray to remove excess oil.
- Between batches, make sure to pick up breadcrumbs. When you don’t pick them up, the breadcrumbs will get burnt and the oil will get darker. Make sure to keep the oil clean throughout deep frying.
Notes
* The Japanese use chopsticks to eat Chicken Katsu, so if you plan to deep fry a whole chicken, you have to cut into small pieces after deep fry. However, it takes a longer time to deep fry a large piece of chicken, so I recommend you to cut the chicken before deep frying.
** On my blog I shared different pots and pans for deep/shallow frying, but today I used a cast iron skillet.
Enjoy!
Hi, I'm Nami. Thanks for stopping by Just One Cookbook. You can read little bit more about me 
{ 115 comments… read them below or add one }
Chicken Katsu sounds very delicious. Panko is very interesting bread crumbs, must try this recipe. I like your background and the holder for chopsticks is the winner -) Sauce looks yummy too! Thank you dear Nami for another amazing Japanese recipe.
The crispy coating is so perfect and tempting! And such a simple meal that must taste fantastic! Even though my kids are much older, I’m still happy to find a yummy and quick dinner idea…thanks, Nami!
Chicken katsu … yummy and simple to prepare. I actually have a bottle of tonkatsu sauce in the fridge ready for when I pull one of the chicken cutlets I cooked last week out of the freezer.
I’ll have to try the sogigiri method of cutting chicken breasts the next time I have some in the house.
Chicken katsu is a family favorite! I would use chicken tender strips or sometimes chicken thighs. I’d love to try your tonkatsu sauce, too!
This looks so yummy, Nami! And I usually always have these ingredients on hand, which is perfect – trying this soon!
How delicious! This looks great!
Do I need to add oil to the egg and spray water to regular panko like in Tonkatsu to keep the breaded coating from detaching? Thanks
Hi William! My Tonkatsu is a comprehensive recipe while this one is more of a quick and easy dinner. You can do the extra step too. Thank you for asking, and thanks for reading my blog!
Oh Nami, you;re really a savior I love the sauce in Yakisoba and I cant believe I have all the ingredients and it;s so easy to make! Thank you!
I love the chicken, it;s true we have to be smart as parents of some hungry monsters!
Hugs and Kisses!
Just makes me drool by just looking at it, so it sure to be delicious. It is so easy to make, I got to make it.
Hi Nami! My family & I love chicken katsu. Thanks for including the sogigiri technique. I always wondered why my katsu and restaurant katsu differed in size, but I couldnt figure it out. I will try your techniques and recipe for dinner tomorrow night. Aloha!
Sogigiri is very helpful when you have thick meat. You want to make sure inside is cooked through. Luckily, Japanese uses chopsticks to eat, so small pieces are actually better. Haha.
Thanks for your kind comment!
Looking at your recipe, can’t wait to go to Tokyo to indulge in all the food! Nami, come & join my Luxury Haven Giveaway: Win US$75 Shopping Spree At Vitacost!! Good luck & see u there!
I’ve never cooked with Sake and I like the idea of marinating chicken this way- nice technique to add flavor! A lovely delicious family meal, looks good with the green salad on the side;-)
Thanks for the tip on sogigiri cutting. It’s a good idea! My family loves chicken katsu
I’m so bad in deep-frying, so I can only dream of the chicken and pork katsu my mom used to make for me. We always served it with soysauce-vinegar and a cabbage salad squirted with mayo!
I`ve definitely tried making katsu before because I love it so much. I definitely using your recipe!
Hmm looks delicious, I love chicken katsu! I made it the other day using your chicken katsu don recipe and served it with store-bought tonkatsu sauce and a salad instead of serving it over rice. It was really good. I don’t like the store-bought tonkatsu sauces much though, I find them too cloying somehow so I will try making your sauce! Thanks for posting this!
Hi Caroline! I’m glad you liked my Chicken Katsu Don recipe.
I’m used to store-bought tonkatsu sauce that it never bothered me… haha. 
In Japan there are many brands/kinds of Tonkatsu Sauce including some organic ones, ones from famous Tonkatsu restaurant, ones with fancy ingredients, etc. I always buy some when I visit Japan. Hope those things will be available here one day.
I’ll keep improving my sauce. Hopefully I can make it better and close to Tonkatsu Sauce I like.
Thanks for your kind comment!
I agree deep frying does not mean its oily there are more pan fried dishes that are oiler, its the technique in cooking them. Love this specially with that beer?? at the back
I love this
I always have ingrained in my head pork tonkatsu but this also works with chicken quite nicely. It is like a Japanese Chicken Nugget… I know it is always so crazy in the evening with homework and activities… dinner just adds to the drama of it all. However, with this delicious dish it is a little less crazy.
Nami, I like your Sogigiri method of slicing the meat. That’ll come in handy when I have to get dinner on the table fast! I also looked at your sub for Tonkatsu sauce — thanks for including that. (Someday, I might actually try simmering a batch of my own with the ingredients you listed above your “quick” recipe — sounds like a delicious combo of flavors!)
Love this recipe Nami, it’s one that sticks in my head. an all-round every-day goodie.
What a fabulous meal Nami.
Mandy
Oh these chicken cutlets look temptingly delicious and so simple to make! Though I wouldn’t know where to find sake and tonkatsu sauce!!
Oh my, how crunchy and tasty this would be right now. I often make a fried chicken where I dip it in a beer batter and then in panko but your method sounds much easier and faster.
Every mother knows how tough it can be to stretch those after school hours to get the homework done, the lessons finished and a good dinner on the table. Young mothers often don’t get enough credit for all they do.
Oh, that looks so scrumptious! Cutlets are irresistible and your chicken katsu is just making me drool…
Cheers,
Rosa
I like to order chicken katsu in a Japanese restaurant, but wont cook it at home since I do not deep fry food at all in our kitchen. Is it possible to bake it instead?
I know I’ll be asked this question…
For Japanese katsu (tonkatsu, chicken katsu etc), I really recommend to deep fry it to have the same result.
The thing is I don’t know how to keep the chicken so moist after baking for a long time. Deep frying takes only 5-6 minutes, and inside of chicken is so juicy. I’ve tried baking katsu before, but the “juiciness” is never the same.
But of course you can still bake if you don’t want to deep fry and if don’t worry too much about juiciness. I’d recommend to use chicken thighs though (it’s more juicy than breast). Hope this helps!
What a delicious traditional style of chicken my friend beautiful dish – your ingenuity never ceases to amaze me
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I know exactly what you’re talking about, Nami. I know what it’s like to rush in the door after all those after-school extra-curricular activities and then panicking about what to put on the table for dinner. This is a really yummy way to serve chicken breasts xx
Well, you know, this reminds me of schnitzel, which is also my to go to recipe when things get too hectic after school. I prefer to bake mine, but from time to time I enjoy a shallow fried version. I like the sound of that sauce!
yummy! okay now the “<<" is not in the middle of the comments but on the sides, makes sense now
Nami, this is probably one of my favorite dishes here in Asia. Thanks for sharing the homemade version of that delicious sauce!!
We love Chicken Katsu whenever we eat at Japanese restaurants! Glad you showed how to make it here. I must try your recipe. Thanks for sharing, Nami ~ this will surely be a hit with my family! Thanks for the blog-visit, too
i know it seems rather common sense but thanks for the tip of grabbing the breadcrumbs between batches. i’m not a deep fryer in the house kinda girl, i’d just sooner bake these. or would that just not fly?
Nami, gorgeous color of your chicken cutlets. I love the Japanese beer in the background too for your styling. I may have to borrow that idea in the future!
- Michael
This is defiantly one of favorites in my house and really like you said to go recipe especially when we have so much to do with and for kids. I could eat this for breakfast, lunch and dinner if I allow myself LOL! I Love love chicken katsu don and tonkatsu too. Tempting pics Nami..you made me so hungry right now!
Lovely! I will try this since my boy is crazy about this
Thks for sharing
Another fried chicken… it looks delicious. Both me and my husband loved the karaage!
I was just going to write a comment on your blog and asked you if you also make boiled chestnuts in Japan… when I saw your comment on mine. So nice to hear that Japan and Italy have so many tings in common. And yes! we must be telepathic;).
Ciao.
Delicious! This will go into my go to recipe collection. It’s a good idea to slice it before you fry it. I usually do the other way around, but now I know. And chicken katsu sandwich? I should try that.
Yum! I would eat this every day when we are in Japan if I could!
Wow, your chicken katsu looks much much better than any I’ve ever seen (from restaurants)! I like how you let the pieces stay thick and a little irregular-shaped, rather than flat and uniform– the ones in restaurants can sometimes taste a bit dry inside, but yours looks like it would be delicious! I have a deep-frying phobia, but I will still plan to try out this recipe at home… someday.
Also besides sandwiches and katsu don, there’s another great use for chicken katsu… chicken katsu karee!
My childhood was like that too – school, swim practice, violin practice, homework, sleep then repeat. It was crazy! But my mom made this chicken katsu from time to time and I absolutely loved it! It’s one of my go-to weeknight dinners! And that tonkatsu sauce is a must!
I can see why your children love this dish. My kids would adore it. We have the same situation here with school, after school lessons and homework. I sometimes cook dinner while they are at school so I can get it all done and just reheat it at dinner time. It’s a crazy life (but fun).
You do it perfectly! It definitely is that fine line between too oily and perfection…and this is perfection….
I love these easy and mouth watering recipes of yours, Nami!
I could eat a ton of this delicious chicken!
This looks so crispy and delicious Nami! Much better than restaurants. I love the idea of a quick dinner. Great job.
I want to make EVERYTHING on your site! Love this.
This is a Gabbi kind of meal, she would love this. I remeber the days of having small kids and having to multi-task. It gets easier:)
This looks really amazing! The name of the recipe sounds intimidating, but you break it down into such easy to follow steps that it’s not so scary anymore.
I wonder if it’s at all possible to try and bake this instead of fry it? Have you ever experimented with that? Thanks for the great recipe!
I know I’ll be asked this question… For Japanese katsu (tonkatsu, chicken katsu etc), I really recommend to deep fry it to have the same result.
The thing is I don’t know how to keep the chicken so moist after baking for a long time. Deep frying takes only 5-6 minutes, and inside of chicken is so juicy. I’ve tried baking katsu before, but the “juiciness” is never the same.
But of course you can still bake if you don’t want to deep fry and if don’t worry too much about juiciness. I’d recommend to use chicken thighs though (it’s more juicy than breast). Hope this helps!
This sounds terrific. Really good tip about cutting the chicken into small pieces – the frying takes little time that way. I need to fry more – I’m comfortable doing it, but rarely do because it’s a bit messy. But the results are so worth it! Great flavor, like in this dish. Good stuff – thanks.
Nami this chicken look really delicious!!
Nami, will you make this for me for dinner tonight? Your chicken katsu looks wonderful!
Oh gosh Nami – you can make this simple dish look so mouth-watering. No doubt kids and adults alike love it. Happy to learn the names of the different sauces…
LL
I went to Japan on a business trip for 10 days few years ago and fell in love with the country, people and food. Love love love your blog and so glad to find it. Chicken Katsu’s are irreristable.
This looks so good! And great tip about removing stray bits of breadcrumb so the oil doesn’t get darker. I’ve never thought about that before when deep-frying, but it makes so much sense!
Hi Nami,
My mum’s chicken cutlet was one of my favourite dish growing up. She specially made it for me a few weeks ago when I was craving it. Thanks to your recipe, I may be able to make something very similar to hers, as my mum does not write down her recipes and cooks from her head
Thanks for sharing and I really look forward to cooking this soon.
My mom does not write recipes either. That’s one of the reasons why I started my blog – to keep my recipes for my children…
Chicken Katsu is very simple recipe and most of Japanese cook very similarly (not to many variations). Hope you enjoy this recipe!
Great tip about taking out the breadcrumbs between batches. I love this simple recipe, especially the sauce drizzled on it. Yum!
I love fry chicken, this is definitely my kind of food. Thanks for sharing Sogigiri cutting technique, learn something new from you., Thanks dear.
Nami, this (together with tonkatsu of course) is on the top of my list of favourite Japanese food. I prepare tonkatsu so often, but never show it to my readers (awful night photos, the reason I don’t post so many dishes). Your chicken katsu looks fabulous and perfect: the orange colour is just the way I love the crust most!
You are right: deep-fried food is not that bad if you follow exactly the basic rules (high temperature, not overcrowding, completely dry ingredients…). It’s always better than shallow frying or pan frying with big amounts of oil.
Thank you for making me hungry again
i love chicken katsu especially with japanese curry ^^!
Oh your Chicken katsu looks delicious and light even if fried. yep it is one of those skills I am trying to get the hang off, pretty new to me.
Your breaded crust is SO much lighter than the breaded crusts that I grew up with. Sometimes the crust on the chicken was so thick that it was hard to find the chicken! Yours looks perfect and I love the drizzle of TonKatsu sauce! I had to laugh about scooping out the bread pieces that had fallen off the chicken during frying. I always do that and then Bobby and I fight over who eats it first!
By the time whatever it is that we’re frying is done, all the cooked crumbs have been eaten.
Hi Nami,
I love this recipe. Easy, quick and no fuss. I think there’s not one kid I know who doesn’t like fried chicken. Got to make this for my daughter.
This looks simply divine… didn’t know that its so easy to make… thanks for sharing!
Ohh soo good. I have had chicken Katsu many times, when i lived in Korea it was very popular there too. This just looks fabulous. I am not looking forward to all the afters chool activities. . .i have a few years though.
Oh, Nami, I’ve warned you before: If you think you are busy now, wait a couple more years and then you’ll see what busy is! My kids would love to eat this. Panko is one our favorite crunches that make everyone smile!
I’m excited about that technique for slicing the chicken on the diagonal. I’m trying that! I must also try your Chicken Katsu. It looks wonderful Nami!
I only recently learned how to fry properly and have to say that fried food has gotten quite a bit better after that!
That chicken katsu looks so yummy! Plus I really like your tip about removing excess bread crumbs from the oil between batches. Whenever I fry stuff I leave them in and my oil gets all icky. I’ll definitely give that tip a try next time!
Nami, how did you know this is my favourite? Hehe! Chicken breast is probably my LEAST favourite part of the chicken, but when breaded and fried Japanese-style like this, I LOVE it! This is the best way, for me at least, to eat chicken breast. Good tip about skimming the loose bits of panko. I never did because I’m lazy, but I promise, next time, I will do this step
You make everything look easy, Nami…even taking care of the kids! I don’t know how you keep up, I’m just amazed with you!
I’ve never tried making this at home, I rarely deep fry. Need to do something about it:) Have a nice weekend
Craving for some of this now…at midnight! You’re making me hungry
This is making me hungry! Looks delicious.
Nami, please disregard my last comment, strange things are happening with my computer today
Anyway your chicken Katsu looks wonderful. I could enjoy this any time of the day!
Lovely meal Nami! I love your notes about keeping the oil clean.
I know what you mean, we need more hours, that’s what I ask for. Time start to be faster when kids went out from school…at the end of the day I just want to be in my bed, with some tea and TV off…
I’ve always wanted to make chicken katsu at home! YUM!
Completely love this chicken. I found katsu sauce finally. Made me super happy. Now I can make this.
Looks like a yummy simple dish that my family would love. I hardly every fry food I hate the smell in the house but occasionally I do, this would be a good one to try. I like to use my outside grill for frying since it has a burner for that. I will keep on the top of my go to list to, thanks Nami
That looks AMAZING! I can almost taste it. My life sounds like yours, lessons, homework and parent teacher conference. I am going to try this recipe soon! Trying to come up with new recipes is half the battle. A new cookbook I am using has helped me alot! It is called, “Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC KITCHEN 101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence” by author Holly Clegg. It was created for the working or busy person who desires to cook but doesn’t have the time to spend in the kitchen. The book contains pantry-friendly ingredients. Convenient cooking of easy, healthy and delicious recipes. http://www.hollyclegg.com
Thanks Robyn for the recommendation. Sounds like a great cookbook to have! Hope you enjoy the Chicken Katsu.
I need chicken katsu in my life. That looks incredibly delicious, Nami
トンカツもいいけど、鳥カツもいけるね。ああー今日すぐ食べたい！美味しそう！
Nami this looks so delicious! I’m not too comfortable with frying foods because the oil splashing. But you are so right that if done correctly the food isn’t oily. Thanks for sharing this great recipe:)
This looks amazing! I admit deep frying is not part of my skill set. I usually avoid it. But I love eating it as long as someone else deep fries it… which never happens though unless I visit my brother in Germany…
I never tried to dep fry with such shallow pan, maybe I should give it a go. You are right nami, if you know to deep fry, you have learned a valuable cooking technique. I was not into deep frying before, but my husband loves crispy chicken etc. Redently I discovered the tempera flour, which makes it so light.
I still dont know how you manage your life with the kids and this blog all together, respect my friend!
I just had that yesterday!
Love Katsu, pork or chicken!
Oh I definitely have many nights a week where we’re struggling to come up with a plan for dinner. I’m definitely going to do a katsu. The kids both like it, as do Mike and I, and I love how easy it is too. Great idea Nami! It’s amazing how fast that after school time fills up isn’t it!
My boys would love these and I have had that sauce before but only when eating out. I will have to try your Yakisoba sauce
It’s always so hard to imagine you running around with two little ones and managing to put together these pretty dishes week after week. Seriously, everything you prepare is so artfully presented; I need your time management skills.
Yes I’ve definitely got that Chicken Katsu Don on my to try list
I love how tasty this looks and the sauce takes it over the top.
I love reading your blog. You explain so many techniques and tips while sharing your recipe. I also like the Japanese terms you use because it is all new to me and I would love to learn new things about other cuisines
You are awesome Nami. Thanks !!
YUM, i love chicken katsu, especially with a side of delicious curry sauce and rice
As an alternative to the sogigiri cutting method what do you think about using chicken tenders? Also, After you soak the chicken in the sake do I need to dry them again before I dredge them in flour? Lately I’m living in Tokyo and have heard about a powder you mix with your leftover frying oil so that it solidifies and can be disposed of, is this true and if so what is it called? I love your blog, it has been an immense help since I moved to Japan and am trying to cook local foods.
Hi Coy! Yes you can use chicken tenders. They are called “sasami” in Japan and easily available (maybe you already know which is why you mentioned). For Chicken Katsu Don (http://justonecookbook.com/blog/recipes/chicken-katsu-don/), I used chicken tenders (American size tenders are a bit bigger than Japanese size I think).
You can dry the chicken before dredging them in flour, but I never done that before. You can just shake some liquid off before dredging.
For the solidifying oil, check out some products I mentioned in here:
http://justonecookbook.com/blog/how-to/how-to-deep-fry-food/
Hope this helps. I hope you enjoy your stay in Tokyo!
I made it for dinner a couple of nights ago. Turned out perfectly, even delicious next day at work. I could tell people were admiring my lunch. I will definitely make this again. Thanks Nami! Store bought tonkatsu sauce is good enough for me!
Hi Megan!! Thank you so much for trying this recipe and I’m so happy it turned out well!
Dear nami, you’ve a very pretty picture of a young family which i showed to daughter and she requests for tako tao (if too much work then just ignore). We do not have the mould. She always buy ft night market. Just like your mum, you’re very hardworking and like cooking. Finally i wish your mother and your family a very happy new year.
Hi Mdm Khoo! Do you mean Takoyaki? I’m not sure what’s Tako (octopus) Tao (??) means. I have a mold at home but you really need one to make this dish. Thank you so much for your kind words!
Happy Holidays to you and your family!
I just cooked this and it was great. It’s a lot easier than karaage and actually tasted better than teriyaki chicken to me. I think I’ll do this more often. I left out the egg and panko however to reduce the fat.
Hi Doug! I’m happy to hear you enjoyed this dish! Thank you so much for your feedback!
Hello! Is there any way to make this without the sake? I don’t think I will be able to get any. Thank you
Hi Janelle! We use sake for meat and fish during prep time to get rid of meaty smell. If you don’t get bothered by the smell, you can skip it. Or you can use 1-2 Tbsp of white wine (not red) or Chinese rice wine if you have at home. Hope this helps!
This is one of my favorite recipes to make for the family. After my brother went to Japan for 2 years he came back and made it for me. I love Katsu sauce and the only one I will buy is a brand called Bulldog Tonkatsu sauce. It can be found at any asian specility store. Hint. after many times making this…let the breading sit for a few…at least 15 min..or the breading will fall off.
Hi Cameron! My mom always let the breaded chicken in the fridge for 15 minutes as well (she does for Korokke and all the panko breaded food before deep frying). Thank you for your suggestion! I’ll suggest that in the recipe as well.
Great sounding recipe! My daughter would like me to try making it for her, just got to get new oil for the deep fryer first.
If you don’t mind, i’d like to recommend an online store. They sell tonkatsu and many other specialty Asian food items. Its called Asian Food Grocer and here is their tonkatsu http://www.asianfoodgrocer.com/product/bulldog-tonkatsu-sauce-10-1-oz
i hope its ok to share a site, i blog too and get spammed mercilessly. i promise i’m not a spammer and i have no financial ties to that company, i just really like them.
thanks again for the recipe!
Thanks for sharing the link, Heather!
Nami, have I told you I love you yet today?
I have been trying sooo many of your recipes as of late and here is another winner! Thank you!! It came out looking sooo pretty!!! *.* And tastes even better!!!
Hello E! Haha thank you so much!!! You made my day! Very happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe (and other recipes!).
xoxo
{ 6 trackbacks }