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Air Fryer Chicken Karaage

Air Fryer Chicken Karaage

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
30 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings

Description

Air Fryer Chicken Karaage is a delightful Japanese dish that combines tender and crispy bite-sized pieces of marinated chicken.

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1- inch piece ginger, grated
  • 1 tablespoon sake, Japanese rice wine or dry white wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup potato starch or cornstarch

Easy Karaage Sauce:

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sake, Japanese rice wine
  • 1 tablespoon mirin, sweet rice wine
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon rice vinegar
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes, optional, for a bit of heat

Instructions

  • Prepare the chicken: Marinate bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken (commonly thigh or breast meat) in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, sake, salt, and black pepper. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes to develop the flavors.
  • Coat the chicken: After marinating, coat the chicken pieces in a mixture of potato starch or cornstarch. This coating will create a crispy texture when air-fried.
  • Preheat the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375 degrees F (190°C) for 3-5 minutes.
  • Air fry: Set cook time for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of the chicken pieces.
  • Check for doneness: The Karaage should be golden brown and crispy on the outside and cooked through on the inside. A meat thermometer can ensure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F (74°C).
  • Serve: Remove the Chicken Karaage from the air fryer, toss it with the sauce, and serve. They are often served with a dipping sauce, such as a combination of soy sauce and mayonnaise or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Simple Karaage Sauce

  • n a small saucepan, combine the soy sauce, sake, mirin, and sugar. Heat over low to medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
  • Add the grated ginger, minced garlic, sesame oil, and rice vinegar to the saucepan. If you like a bit of heat, you can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes at this point.
  • Continue to cook the sauce over low heat for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir gently to prevent sticking.
  • Once the sauce has slightly thickened and is fragrant, remove it from the heat. Let it cool down to room temperature.

Equipment

  • Air Fryer
  • Cooking Spray
  • Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 192kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 14gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 944mgPotassium: 192mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg