Description
Chicken Tempura is a crispy, light, and flavorful dish where marinated strips of chicken are coated in a light batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy. It’s a delightful Japanese-inspired dish that’s perfect for serving as an appetizer or main course.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3 small or 2 large), divided
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sake
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 (1/2-inch) piece ginger
- 4 cups neutral oil (such as canola) for frying
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup potato starch or cornstarch
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold seltzer water or ice water
Instructions
- Place 1 chicken breast inside a zip-top bag, press out air, and seal. Pound the chicken to about 1/2-inch thick using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts. Cut chicken into 3/4-inch strips.
- In a medium bowl, combine soy sauce, sake, salt, sugar, grated garlic, and ginger. Add chicken strips and toss to coat. Marinate for 1 hour at room temperature, or up to 6 hours in the refrigerator.
- Heat oil in a pot or wok to 360°F. Meanwhile, whisk together flour and potato starch in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk egg and seltzer or ice water until combined. Pour egg mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined; the batter should be thin with lumps.
- Line a plate with paper towels or set a wire rack over a baking sheet lined with paper towels. Dip chicken strips in the batter and fry in batches, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes per batch. Transfer to paper towels or wire rack to drain.
- Repeat frying with the remaining chicken. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
- Serve with a dipping sauce, such as soy sauce or tempura sauce, for added flavor.
- If you prefer a lighter batter, use ice-cold water to achieve a crispier texture.
- Be sure to maintain oil temperature around 350°F to ensure a crisp finish without greasy chicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 3-4 pieces)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg