Description

Enjoy the crispy and juicy Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage) with this easy-to-follow recipe. Marinated in a flavorful blend of soy sauce, sake, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil, then coated in a crispy starch and flour mixture before frying to golden perfection. Perfect for a delicious dinner with a bright touch of lemon.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Marinade

1/4 cup Soy Sauce
2 tablespoons Sake (Japanese Rice Wine)
1 tablespoon Grated Ginger
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Sesame Oil

For the Chicken

1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs

For the Coating

1/2 cup Potato Starch (or Cornstarch)
1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour

For Frying

2 cups Vegetable Oil

For Serving

2 pieces Lemon Wedges
Japanese Mayo (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare Marinade: In a medium bowl, mix soy sauce, sake, grated ginger, garlic, and sesame oil thoroughly to create the marinade base.
Marinate Chicken: Add the chicken thighs into the marinade, ensuring even coating. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably up to 3 to 4 hours for richer flavor penetration.
Coat Chicken: In a separate bowl, combine potato starch and all-purpose flour. Remove the chicken from the marinade and thoroughly coat each piece in the starch-flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or wok to 170°C (340°F), using a thermometer to maintain accurate temperature.
Fry the Chicken: Carefully place the coated chicken pieces in the hot oil in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 4-5 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, turning as needed.
Drain: Remove the fried chicken with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
Serve: Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side and, optionally, Japanese mayo for dipping.

Notes

For extra flavor, drizzle the fried chicken with Japanese mayo when serving.
Store leftover karaage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Ensure oil temperature is maintained to achieve crispy and well-cooked chicken without greasiness.