The short answer: chicken katsu is a thin chicken cutlet coated in flour, egg and panko, then fried or air-fried until crisp and cooked to 165°F. Serve with tonkatsu sauce, cabbage and rice.
- Methods: skillet shallow-fry or air fryer
- Safety: 165°F (FoodSafety.gov)
- Serve as: katsu plate, katsu sandwich or katsu curry bowl
- Next step: get the free recipe book, or plan dinner with the Meal Planner & Grocery List ($3.99).
Our picks for chicken katsu
Starter pickPrintables
Meal Planner & Grocery List
Weekly meals, a grocery list sorted by aisle, and pantry and freezer inventories so you shop once and waste less.
Printables
Family Recipe Binder
Section dividers, four recipe page layouts with room for the family story, 4x6 and 3x5 cards and a conversion chart - print it or type into the fillable version.
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Family Life Admin Bundle
Baby logs, chore charts, pet records, meal plans and family recipes in one tidy set.
Pair with chicken breast recipes and chicken recipes. Raw poultry handling: USDA FSIS.
Ingredients (4 servings)
- 1½ to 2 lb boneless chicken breasts, pounded to ~½ inch
- Salt, pepper
- ½ cup flour · 2 eggs beaten · 2 cups panko
- Oil for shallow frying (or oil spray for air fryer)
- Tonkatsu sauce, shredded cabbage, rice
Quick sauce: ¼ cup ketchup + 2 Tbsp Worcestershire + 1 Tbsp soy + 1 tsp sugar.
How to make chicken katsu
- Pound and season. Even thickness means even cooking.
- Bread. Flour → egg → panko. Press crumbs on firmly. Rest 5 minutes so the coating sticks.
- Fry. Heat ~½ inch oil to about 350°F. Fry 3–4 minutes per side until deep golden and 165°F. Drain on a rack.
- Air-fryer option. 400°F, oil-misted cutlets, 10–14 minutes, flip once, confirm 165°F.
- Slice and sauce. Cut into strips; drizzle tonkatsu sauce.
Timing chart
| Method | Approx. time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow fry | 6–8 min total | 350°F oil; do not crowd |
| Air fryer | 10–14 min | Spray oil; flip once |
| Oven (baked) | 18–22 min at 425°F | Crisp-up under broiler 1–2 min |
Serving ideas
| Plate | Build |
|---|---|
| Classic katsu | Rice, cabbage, lemon, sauce |
| Katsu sando | Soft bread, sauce, shredded cabbage |
| Katsu curry | Japanese curry gravy over rice + cutlet |
| Bowl | Rice, cucumber, mayo, sauce, green onion |
Leftovers and reheating
Refrigerate within 2 hours; use in 3–4 days (USDA FSIS leftovers). Reheat in oven or air fryer, not the microwave, if you want the crust crisp again. More weeknight chicken: easy dinner ideas.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is chicken katsu? Chicken katsu is a Japanese-style breaded chicken cutlet coated in panko and fried until crisp, usually served with tonkatsu sauce, shredded cabbage and rice.
What is the difference between chicken katsu and chicken cutlet? Chicken katsu specifically uses panko breadcrumbs and is served with tonkatsu-style sauce and Japanese sides. A generic chicken cutlet may use finer crumbs and different seasonings.
Can I air-fry chicken katsu? Yes, you can air-fry chicken katsu. Spray breaded cutlets with oil and air-fry at about 400°F for 10 to 14 minutes, flipping once, until 165°F and crisp. Panko still browns well with a light oil mist.
What temperature should chicken katsu be? Cook chicken katsu to 165°F in the thickest part per FoodSafety.gov. Thin cutlets cook fast; use a thermometer so the crust does not fool you.
What sauce goes on chicken katsu? Tonkatsu sauce is the classic choice. A quick homemade version mixes ketchup, Worcestershire, soy sauce and a little sugar. Bulldog-style bottled sauce works when you want speed.
Can I make chicken katsu ahead? Yes, you can make chicken katsu ahead. Fried cutlets reheat best in a 375°F oven or air fryer so the crust stays crisp. Refrigerate leftovers 3 to 4 days.
How much does chicken katsu cost for four? About $10 to $14 for four with chicken breast, panko and pantry sauce ingredients, based on November 2026 grocery estimates.
What printable helps plan katsu night? The HomeBase Meal Planner & Grocery List is $3.99 for a weekly menu and aisle-sorted list. The Family Recipe Binder is $6.99; both are in the Family Life Admin Bundle ($15.99 vs $23.95 separately).
Sources
- FoodSafety.gov: Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart foodsafety.gov
- USDA FSIS: Chicken from Farm to Table fsis.usda.gov
- USDA FSIS: Leftovers and Food Safety fsis.usda.gov