Karaage (Kah-la-ah-geh) Japanese Style Fried Chicken

Submitted by Harumi Murata, MPA, Program Analyst, EdPACT, SFVAMC

My Story

I'd like to share one of my favorite Japanese comfort foods that I cook often called "Kara -age" the Fried Chicken! These kinds of home-cooked meals are called "Ofukuro no aji" which literally means "Mom's Taste", and it reminds me of my mother's cooking and her Bento Box that I used to bring to school. I often do crave comfort food in quarantine, and I think this is going to be the perfect quick snacking item during this time of isolation! And here's how my mother and I'd cook at home.

Recipe

Ingredients

For the marinade:

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon sliced ginger

1/4 cup Tamari soy sauce

1 tablespoon sake

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika flakes

1/2 cup black pepper

For the breading

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup regular flour or coconut flour (for Keto)

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 tablespoon Katakuri-Ko, potato or corn starch

and, of course, you need 2lb of thigh or breast chicken and vegetable oil for frying!

Method

First step, let's marinate the chicken:

1. Cut the chicken breasts or thigh into 2-3 inch bite-sized chunks

2. Combine all of the marinade ingredients and chicken in a Ziploc and leave them in the refrigerator for about 24 hours.

Then let's fry the chicken:

1. Fill a large saucepan with vegetable oil and heat the pan over medium-high

2. Coat a few pieces of chicken at a time with a breading

3. Add breaded chicken to the pot and cook for 3 to 4 min,or until golden brown.

4. Enjoy!