This easy chicken recipe is a big hit for play dates, picnics, and parties. Leftovers can be re-heated in a toaster oven or given a quick broil to get back the crispy coating. They taste great warm or cold and are a complete meal with gohan (rice) and steamed broccoli or spinach. This is my “go to” meal at least once a week and is super healthy because it’s baked, not fried. The kids love to help with this one too!
Baked Chicken Katsu
Makes about 6 servings
Ingredients:
1 lb. of chicken breasts cut in half lengthwise so they are thin. Alternatively, you can have the butcher pound the chicken and then cut each pounded piece in half.
2 eggs, beaten w/ about 1 tsp of water
1/4 cup flour – white or wheat flour
1/4 cup of cornstarch
1 cup Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs, see below)
salt & pepper
Katsu Sauce
1/4 cup ketchup, preferably low sodium
1 tbsp soy sauce, preferably low sodium
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Directions:
- Set oven to broil.
- Lightly season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Use a plastic ziplock bag and add the flour and cornstarch. Add chicken and shake to dredge completely.
- Make a dipping station using a shallow dish for the beaten eggs and water and a separate shallow dish for the Panko bread crumbs.
- Take the floured chicken pieces, one at a time, and dip then into the egg.
- Then dip and cover them with the Panko.
- Put the breaded pieces on the cookie sheet, without having them touch.
- For a crispier texture, spray the tops of the chicken pieces with cooking spray.
- Cook on the bottom rack for 10 minutes and flip after 5 minutes or when golden brown. Spray the other side and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Serve with the Katsu Sauce or any other dipping sauce that you enjoy.
For the Katsu Sauce:
- Whisk Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce and ketchup together until combined.
* Alternatively, you can purchase ready made katsu sauce at most grocers in the international section or at an Asian grocery store.
A yummy variation is to dip each piece into a simmering pot of teriyaki sauce right after they are baked and let them dry on a raised rack. See recipe for teriyaki sauce here. Make sure they do not touch on the drying rack as this will keep them extra crispy! These don't need any sauce, you can just gobble them right up!
Panko (パン粉) – Preferred Brand Shirakiku - Prepared Bread Crumbs. Most often used for pork. Called "tonkatsu" in Japanese (とんかつ) which translates to "ton" meaning pork and "katsu" referring to the bread coating that is traditionally deep fried. It doesn’t have to be deep fried - you can broil it and it comes out just as crispy without the oil! Panko is available at most grocers in the international section.
