Easy Baked Chicken Katsu is a delicious, lighter take on the fried original. Pair with a simple sweet and tangy homemade Pineapple Katsu Sauce and it might just be your new favorite dinner.
Today I’m sharing one of my favorite Japanese dishes lightened up a little for January, Baked Chicken Katsu (or Torikatsu)! Folks, you are in for a treat. I LOVE this recipe.
Traditional Chicken Katsu is chicken cutlets coated in panko and then shallow or deep fried in oil. It’s amazing, it’s delicious, but it’s also kind of a pain to make.
My Baked Chicken Katsu is chicken cutlets, coated in panko and then baked. It’s amazing, it’s delicious, and it’s the easiest thing in the world to make.
No worrying about splattering oil or making a mess, you just coat your chicken cutlets in panko and plonk them in the oven.
You still end up with a fabulously crunchy chicken exterior, but without all the mess and heaviness of deep frying.
(Though if you do feel like making a bit of a mess in the kitchen, I’ve included shallow frying instructions in the recipe as well. Because sometimes that’s fun too.)
And my favorite part about this recipe, the part that makes everything worthwhile is the sweet and tangy pineapple katsu sauce that goes with it. It’s made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry (maybe you’ll need to make a store run for the pineapple), and is perfection.
You just simmer everything together while your chicken bakes, and by the time your chicken is done, you have a thick, fabulous sauce for dipping.
As written, this Baked Chicken Katsu recipe generously serves 2. To change the recipe yield, hover over the number of servings (or click if you are on mobile) and slide the slider–no preparation changes are necessary for doubling.
Baked Chicken Katsu with Pineapple Katsu Sauce
Ingredients
Chicken Katsu
- 1 boneless skinless chicken breast
- Salt
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg beaten
- 3/4 cup panko
- Cooking spray
Katsu Sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons pineapple juice (can be from a can of pineapple chunks)
- 1 teaspoon ketchup
Serve With
- White steamed rice optional
- Pineapple chunks optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°. Line a baking sheet with foil and grease well.
- Cut your chicken breast in half horizontally (butterfly the breast and cut all the way through) by placing one hand on top of the breast and running the knife through the center of the meat so you have two thin, even pieces. Lightly salt both sides of your chicken pieces.
- Line up 3 containers on the counter large enough to fit your chicken. Place flour in the first, beaten egg in the second, and panko in the third. Put your prepared baking sheet at the end of the assembly line.
- Coat your first chicken piece well in flour, followed by the egg, and then panko. Place on prepared baking sheet and repeat with the second chicken piece. Spray a very light spray of cooking oil over the tops of the breasts--this helps them brown. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the breasts reads 160°F. Remove chicken from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes.
- While your chicken bakes, in a very small bowl, whisk together soy sauce and cornstarch until all lumps are gone. Add mixture and the rest of the sauce ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat (turn down if mixture begins to boil) and simmer for 3 to 6 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat.
- Slice chicken breast and serve over rice with a side of pineapple (if desired) and sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
Adapted from AllRecipes
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Tamie says
This was so good. I’m sure it will become a family favorite. So easy to make. Clean up was ready too.
Sonia says
Tracy, love the sauce!!! I split the panko with half toasted shredded coconut and it’s soooo yummy! If you like coconut try it, oven temps may vary though, I haven’t tried untoasted sweetened shredded coconut, which may be better if using a higher temp for the chicken otherwise the toasted may burn. PS just signed up for your newsletter and updates via email.
Tracy says
Thanks, Sonia! So glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for sharing the coconut tip!
Sanita says
This is one of the best dinners I have ever made. My husband really liked it! Easy and delicious! Thank-You so much.!.
Tracy says
I’m so thrilled to hear this, Sanita!
Wendy says
Living in Hawaii, we eat chicken katsu all the time. Tracy, your recipe was delicious! Baking instead of frying was a wonderful change, it made for a lighter version & your pineapple katsu sauce was to die for! Thumbs up from all of us here.
Tracy says
I feel like that’s the best stamp of approval I could possibly ask for!! 😉 Thank you!
Miriam - londonkitchendiaries.com says
Chicken Katsu is one of my husband’s favourite dishes yet I have never made it at home! It looks so crunchy and delicious – I am sure my husband would love me to surprise him with a homemade Chicken Katsu 🙂
Corina says
I think chicken katsu is such a tasty meal and I love how you’ve lightened this up a little!
Priya says
yummy! I have pineapple in my pantry and was wondering how to use it. I have the answer now 🙂
Silvia says
Amazing! I love chicken coated with breadcrumbs or cornflakes. Simply delicious 😀 And it’s super easy to make too.
Meeta says
Oh what a great dish. I do not like deep fat frying too much so am always thankful when some of my favorite dishes have the baked option! This truly looks grand!
Sandhya Hariharan says
The Katsu Sauce just amazing for having as Dip.. Love the sweetness of Pineapple that compliments the dip.