Name: Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, pounded to ½ inch thick; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste; ½ cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs, beaten; 2 cups panko breadcrumbs; Cooking oil (for frying); 1.5 Tbsp cooking oil; 1 medium onion, diced; 2 garlic cloves, finely diced; 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely diced; 2 large carrots, chopped; 1 large potato, cubed; 3.5 cups water; 1 Tbsp soy sauce; 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 Tbsp apricot preserve; 1 Tbsp ketchup; 3.2 oz curry roux; 4 cups cooked white rice

Jump to Recipe· 4.4 from 81 reviews

If you’ve ever wanted to dive into a comforting, hearty dish that perfectly marries crispy, golden chicken with a rich, flavorful sauce, this Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe is going to be your new favorite. The delight comes from tender chicken breasts coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs, fried to perfection, and smothered in a luscious Japanese curry sauce filled with tender potatoes and carrots. It’s a dish that combines texture, warmth, and incredible depth of flavor in every bite, making it ideal for cozy weeknight dinners or impressing friends with a taste of Japan at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Two golden-brown fried cutlets with a crunchy texture are placed on a white paper towel that absorbs excess oil. The cutlets have uneven, crispy edges with darker brown spots indicating a well-fried crust. They rest flat on the paper towel, which lies on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The magic of this Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe comes down to simple, accessible ingredients that each play a key role in building layers of taste and texture. From the crispy panko crumbs to the fragrant spices in the curry roux, every item on the list is essential for recreating that authentic, soul-satisfying flavor.

Chicken breasts: Pounded to an even thickness so they cook uniformly and stay juicy inside.
Salt and pepper: The simplest seasoning that makes a world of difference in flavor balance.
All-purpose flour: Helps the egg and breadcrumbs stick to the chicken, creating that perfect crust.
Eggs, beaten: Acts as a binder for the panko breadcrumbs to cling beautifully.
Panko breadcrumbs: Light and crispy, they give the chicken its signature crunch.
Cooking oil: Needed for frying the chicken katsu to golden goodness.
Onion: Caramelized to deepen the curry’s aroma and sweetness.
Garlic and fresh ginger: Add warmth and a subtle kick to the curry base.
Carrots and potatoes: Classic curry vegetables that soak up the saucy richness perfectly.
Water: The base to simmer the vegetables till tender.
Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, apricot preserve, ketchup: Each contributes layers of umami, tang, and subtle sweetness, rounding out the curry’s flavor.
Curry roux: The star spice blend that transforms the broth into a thick, satisfying sauce.
Cooked white rice: The perfect fluffy bed to serve your chicken katsu and curry on.

How to Make Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe

Step 1: Preparing the Chicken Katsu

Begin by setting up three shallow bowls to create a breading station: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs. This organized setup makes the coating process seamless. Season your chicken breasts well with salt and pepper for flavor that shines through even after frying.

Step 2: Double Coating for Ultimate Crunch

Coat each chicken breast evenly with flour to create a dry base, then dip into the egg to make the surface sticky, and finally press into the panko breadcrumbs. This triple step ensures a thick, crisp crust that stays golden after frying.

Step 3: Fry to Perfection

Heat about an inch of oil in a skillet to 350°F for optimal frying temperature. Working carefully, fry each breaded chicken breast for 8-10 minutes, turning frequently so each side crisps up alike and the chicken cooks through. Once done, let them rest on paper towels or a wire rack to keep them crisp and drain excess oil.

Step 4: Building the Curry Base

In a heavy pot or Dutch oven, warm oil over medium-high heat and sauté diced onions until golden brown. This step unlocks sweetness that perfectly balances the curry. Add garlic and ginger and cook for a couple more minutes to encourage aromatic flavors to develop.

Step 5: Simmering the Veggies

Add chopped carrots and cubed potatoes, stirring to coat them in all those fantastic flavors. Pour in water, bring to a simmer, and let everything cook gently until vegetables are tender but not falling apart. This careful simmering ensures your curry has body and tasty chunks in every spoonful.

Step 6: Final Flavor Fusion

Stir in your curry roux along with ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and apricot preserve – each ingredient works in harmony to create a deeply savory, slightly sweet, and complex curry sauce. Allow it to simmer until the roux fully dissolves and the sauce thickens, about 10 more minutes.

How to Serve Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe

A white plate holds three main layers of food. On the left side, there is a layer of white, fluffy rice with long grains. On the right side, there is a thick, brown curry sauce with glossy texture, containing chunks of yellow potatoes and orange carrots. On top of the rice and partly covering the curry, there are seven slices of crispy, golden brown breaded fried chicken arranged side by side, showing a crunchy texture with some darker and lighter spots. The edges of the chicken slices are rough and crumbly. The whole dish sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

To elevate your dish, try garnishing with thinly sliced scallions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds. A handful of fresh cilantro leaves adds a bright contrast to the rich curry, and pickled ginger or fukujinzuke (Japanese pickles) can brighten the palate with their tangy, crisp notes.

Side Dishes

This recipe shines best served simply with fluffy steamed white rice which soaks up the luscious curry sauce. For a refreshing contrast, consider a lightly dressed cucumber salad or crisp green beans tossed in garlic. These sides bring balance and freshness alongside the hearty main.

Creative Ways to Present

Feel like making dinner extra special? Slice your chicken katsu into strips for easy sharing or layering over rice in a bowl-style presentation. For a fun twist, serve the curry sauce in a gravy boat so guests can pour their preferred amount. Adding a soft-boiled egg or crispy fried onions on top also amps up texture and flavor for an indulgent finish.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

You can keep leftover curry refrigerated in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen with time, making it even more delicious the next day. For best texture, store the chicken katsu separately to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

Freeze the curry sauce on its own in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. When ready, gently thaw in the fridge overnight. Freshly fried chicken katsu doesn’t freeze well if you want to maintain its crunch, so it’s better prepared fresh.

Reheating

Reheat curry sauce gently on the stove over low heat, stirring until warmed through. For chicken katsu, reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F to crisp up the breading again without drying out the chicken inside. Avoid microwaving the katsu if you can – it tends to lose its lovely crunchy texture.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs stay juicier and can add extra flavor, but keep in mind they may require slightly longer frying time. Just make sure to pound them to an even thickness for uniform cooking.

Is panko really necessary?

Panko breadcrumbs provide the signature light and airy crunch that traditional breadcrumbs can’t replicate. Using regular breadcrumbs results in a denser coating, so for that quintessential crispiness, stick with panko.

Can I make the curry sauce vegetarian?

You can adapt this recipe by skipping the chicken and just preparing the curry sauce with extra veggies or tofu. Without the chicken katsu, it serves as a wonderful vegetable curry on its own.

What if I don’t have curry roux?

If store-bought curry roux is not available, you can make a homemade version using curry powder and a simple flour/butter roux base. It requires a bit more work but gives you control over the spice level and ingredients.

How spicy is this Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe?

This recipe is mild and comforting, perfect for families. If you want more heat, feel free to add a dash of cayenne pepper, chili flakes, or even a drizzle of hot sauce to the curry while cooking or at the table.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about digging into a bowl of Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe, with its golden crust paired alongside tender vegetables simmered in a luscious sauce. It’s a vibrant dish that’s surprisingly easy to make but feels so indulgent. Give it a try for your next dinner, and I promise it will soon become one of your go-to meals to share with loved ones!