Low Fat Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage)

Satisfy your cravings for crispy, flavorful Japanese fried chicken without the guilt with this Low Fat Japanese Fried Chicken (Karaage) recipe! Marinated in a delightful blend of soy sauce, sake, fresh ginger, garlic, and mirin, the tender, bite-sized pieces of chicken are perfectly seasoned before being coated in cornstarch for a light, golden crust. Instead of deep frying, this healthier version uses an air fryer to achieve the crispy texture you love with minimal oil, keeping it low in fat but high in flavor. Ready in just 40 minutes, this dish is perfect for quick weeknight dinners or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Serve it hot with lemon wedges or scallions for an authentic touch, and enjoy all the taste of traditional karaage with a fraction of the calories!

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams Skinless, boneless chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons Soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Sake
• 1 tablespoon Fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Mirin
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Pepper
• 4 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 0 Cooking spray

Directions

Step 1

Cut the chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces, approximately 1.5 inches.

Step 2

In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, sake, grated ginger, minced garlic, mirin, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.

Step 3

Place the chicken pieces in the marinade and mix well to ensure each piece is coated. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.

Step 4

Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).

Step 5

Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat each piece dry with paper towels. This will help the cornstarch adhere better.

Step 6

Place the cornstarch in a shallow dish. Dredge each piece of chicken in the cornstarch, ensuring a light, even coat.

Step 7

Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray to prevent sticking.

Step 8

Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Step 9

Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray.

Step 10

Cook in the air fryer for 10 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping.

Step 11

Check if the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. If needed, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Step 12

Remove from the air fryer and serve hot. Optionally, garnish with lemon wedges or a sprinkle of chopped scallions.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(610.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1261.4

Total Fat 55.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 15.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 535mg	0%
Sodium 2748.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 42.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0.9g	0%
Total Sugars 8.4g
Protein 133.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 78.2mg	0%
Iron 5.4mg	0%
Potassium 1358.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.4%

Protein: 44.3%

Carbs: 14.2%