Crispy Air Fryer Katsu Curry
The Friday-night takeaway you can actually fit in your macros. Panko chicken crisps up in the air fryer instead of the deep fryer, and the katsu sauce gets its signature mellow sweetness from grated apple rather than a pile of sugar. Nearly 50g of protein a serving.
Method
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Slice each chicken breast horizontally into thin steaks and season with salt and pepper. Line up three bowls: flour, beaten egg, panko.
💡 Tip: If a breast is still thick in the middle, give it a bash under cling film so it cooks evenly. -
Coat each piece flour, then egg, then panko, pressing the crumbs on firmly. Spritz with oil and air fry at 190C for 15 minutes, turning once, until golden and cooked through.
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While that cooks, soften the onion, carrot, and grated apple in the oil for 7 to 8 minutes until soft and sweet. Stir in the garlic, curry powder, and garam masala for a minute.
💡 Tip: Letting the apple and onion really soften is what builds that mellow, rounded katsu flavour. -
Sprinkle in the flour and stir, then gradually pour in the stock and soy sauce. Simmer for 10 minutes, then blitz smooth with a stick blender.
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Slice the crispy chicken, sit it on rice, and pour the smooth sauce over the top.
Notes
Slice the breasts horizontally into thin steaks. Thinner chicken crisps better and cooks faster, and you get more surface area of crunch.
The grated apple is the secret to a proper katsu sauce. It melts into the sauce as it simmers and gives you that gentle sweetness without reaching for sugar.
Blend the sauce for the classic smooth, pourable finish. A stick blender straight in the pan is easiest.
Keep chicken and sauce in separate tubs for meal prep, and always re-crisp the chicken in the air fryer rather than the microwave.
Nutrition Information
| Calories | 390kcal |
| Total Fat | 9g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 33g |
| Protein | 40g |
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Frequently Asked Questions
No air fryer, no problem?
Correct. Bake the breaded chicken on a wire rack at 220C for 12 to 15 minutes until golden. The rack lets air circulate so the underside crisps too.
Why grated apple in the sauce?
It's traditional in Japanese curry and it's what gives katsu sauce that signature gentle sweetness. It melts in completely, so you get the flavour without added sugar and a touch more fibre.
How do I stop the chicken going soggy in meal prep?
Store the chicken and sauce separately, and reheat the chicken in the air fryer for a few minutes. Microwaving the two together is what kills the crunch.
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