Crispy Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage)

Name: Crispy Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 500g Chicken Thighs, boneless and skinless; 4 Tablespoons Soy Sauce; 2 Cloves Garlic, minced; 1 Inch Ginger, grated; 1 Cup All-Purpose Flour; 1/2 Cup Cornstarch; Oil for Frying; Lemon Wedges, for serving; Japanese Mayo

Posted on January 26, 2026

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This Crispy Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage) comes together in about 30 minutes and is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! You can switch up the flavors or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends. Pairing it with your favorite sides, this dish truly encapsulates everything that’s great about home cooking!

Ingredient Breakdown

Let’s dive into the ingredients you’ll need to whip up this yummy dish. Don’t worry, nothing too fancy here. This Karaage is all about simple, tasty components:

500g Chicken Thighs: Boneless and skinless are the best! These pieces are juicy and perfect for frying. If you like, you could also use chicken drumsticks or even tenders, but thighs really keep the moisture intact.
4 Tablespoons Soy Sauce: This adds a yummy umami punch and that classic salty flavor we all adore. Use low-sodium if you prefer, but you might need to adjust the salt later.
2 Cloves Garlic: Minced up for a robust aroma. I absolutely love garlic! It just makes everything better.
1 Inch Ginger: Grated for a fragrant kick. The ginger complements the chicken and gives it that beautiful depth of flavor.
1 Cup All-Purpose Flour: For dredging, adding that perfect crispy coating. You could use rice flour for an even crunchier result!
1/2 Cup Cornstarch: This is the secret ingredient for that extra crispy texture. Seriously, don’t skip it!
Oil for Frying: Any neutral oil will do! Think vegetable oil, canola, or peanut oil for that perfect fry.
Lemon Wedges: For serving, because a spritz of fresh lemon really elevates the dish and adds brightness.
Japanese Mayo: For an extra touch of creamy goodness. It’s rich and tangy, like the icing on the cake for fried chicken!

Let’s Get Cooking!

Cut the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken into bite-sized pieces, about one to two inches each. You want them manageable but still big enough to soak up all that flavor!
Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, mix the soy sauce, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Toss in the chicken pieces, coating them well. Let this sit and marinate for at least 30 minutes. The longer, the better, as those flavors really get in there (you could even do it overnight!). Trust me, it’s totally worth the wait!
Prepare the Dredging Station: In a separate bowl, combine the flour and cornstarch with a couple of pinches of salt and pepper. Mixing them gives that perfect combo of crispy goodness!
Heat the Oil: In a deep pan or Dutch oven, pour enough oil to fill about 2 inches high. Heat it up over medium-high heat. You want it hot but not smoking. A quick test? Drop in a small piece of bread, if it sizzles and browns in about 30 seconds, you’re good to go!
Dredge and Fry: Time for some serious crunch! Dredge the marinated chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook until golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes per batch, flipping halfway through. The aroma? Just amazing!
Drain and Rest: Carefully remove the fried chicken and let it drain on some paper towels to get rid of excess oil. This helps keep them crispy for longer!
Serve: Serve your Karaage hot with lemon wedges and a generous dollop of Japanese mayo on the side. You might want to double the mayo, it’s that good!

Why I Love This Recipe

This is my go-to recipe when I’m looking for something quick, flavorful, and comforting. It reminds me of those cozy evenings back in my childhood, where delicious aromas filled the house. My family absolutely loves it! I’m a real sucker for recipes that are super flexible like, you can really use whatever you’ve got on hand! Bonus points for me with that versatility! The best part is that it really comes together in a snap, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

If you loved this Crispy Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage), be sure to check out my Dragon Chicken, my Korean BBQ Steak Rice Bowls, or my Honey Gochujang Chicken!

Why This Recipe Works

Budget-Friendly

This dish is loaded with affordable, everyday ingredients! Plus, you can often find chicken thighs on sale, making it a smart choice for your pocketbook.

Quick & Easy

With a cooking time of only 30 minutes, you’ll have a delicious weeknight meal without spending your whole evening in the kitchen! And trust me, the whole family will be begging for seconds!

Crowd-Pleaser

Kids and adults alike love crispy chicken. It’s a dish that can easily win over picky eaters! My kids fight over the last piece, no joke. Add some rice or a fresh salad on the side, and you’re golden.

Customizable

Feel free to switch up the seasoning or even add different proteins! You can add some sesame oil, switch the chicken for tofu, or use different dipping sauces. It’s all good!

Comfort Food

There’s just something about fried chicken that makes everything feel cozy and happy. Whether it’s a rainy day or a busy weeknight, this Karaage will be just what you needed!

How to Serve This Karaage

To serve, I like to pile the crispy Karaage high on a platter and scatter lemon wedges around for a pop of color and zesty flavor. You can pair it with steaming rice or even a light salad. Dip those crispy bites into that rich Japanese mayo, and just WOW! It’s the best!

Storage and Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just remember, they’ll lose some of their crunch, but I’ve got a little trick for you, reheat them in the oven at about 350°F until warm and crispy again, usually around 10-15 minutes. If you have the time, it really helps restore that crispy texture!

And yes, you can freeze the Karaage! Just allow it to cool completely, place it in a freezer-safe container, and it’ll keep for about 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as mentioned above!

Funny story about this recipe! When I first tried making Karaage, I thought I could skip marinating the chicken. Lesson learned! The flavor just isn’t the same. So now, I always plan ahead a bit because the marinating really amps up the goodness!

Honestly, you won’t believe how simple and satisfying it is to make crispy fried chicken at home, your kitchen will be filled with the most heavenly aroma, and everyone will come running! Perfect for these chilly evenings when all you want is a little comfort on a plate.

So there you have it a warm, crispy, delightful dinner that comes together in no time. What are you waiting for? Get in that kitchen, fry up some magic, and enjoy every bite!

Have a blast cooking this incredible Crispy Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage), and I’m sure it’ll become a go-to recipe in your house just as it has in mine! Happy cooking! For more Recipes Follow Us in our Pinterest.