Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe

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Juicy, crispy fried chicken thighs sliced and served with homemade Japanese curry, this Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe is on the table in under an hour and incredibly delicious!

brown gravy with carrots and fried chicken in a bowl with rice

Seriously though, fried strips of juicy chicken in a sauce of Japanese curry, potatoes and carrots? Can you say ultimate comfort???

Like this beef curry udon noodles too...guys, Japanese curry is just incredible!

This chicken katsu curry recipe is incredible. Just incredible. Love at first taste, like we had with this Instant Pot Japanese curry too!

And even better if you choose to use homemade Japanese curry roux (this recipe is SUPER easy). But don't worry, even if you use store bought, this Japanese chicken curry is so damn incredible.

The Ingredients

The ingredients for this katsu curry are easy to find at your local grocery store. However, I have included links in the recipe card to purchase some of the ingredients on Amazon if desired.

Chicken thighs - Chicken thighs are so much juicier and more flavorful than chicken breasts. However, you can substitute chicken breasts if desired.
Panko bread crumbs - Panko breadcrumbs add a light, airy, crisp texture to the chicken.
Egg - used to dip the chicken in before coating with the bread crumbs.
Japanese curry roux - a curry made with flour, butter, curry powder and garam masala. Make your own Japanese curry roux, or buy it from the store.
Mirin - Used to add a slight sweetness to the curry sauce.

The full list of ingredients and amounts are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Why This Recipe Works

Chicken thighs are used so the chicken stays tender and juicy;
Frying the chicken in panko bread crumbs results in a light and airy texture;
Homemade Japanese curry roux really makes the flavor shine, however, store bought will also taste great;
A gravy of curry roux, onion, carrots and potatoes add a comforting feel to this dish.

fried chicken and curry sauce with rice in a bowl

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Place 2-3 chicken thighs in a plastic bag, or between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and beat lightly with a mallet until about ½" thick. Repeat for all chicken thighs.

Step 2: Heat cooking oil in a Dutch oven or cast iron skillet over medium heat. Combine the bread crumbs, flour, salt and pepper in a bowl.

breadcrumbs, flour and seasonings in a bowl

Step 3: Dip the chicken thighs in the beaten egg, then dredge in panko bread crumbs and add to the oil. You should be able to fit 2-3 chicken thighs in each batch.

chicken thighs, egg and panko breadcrumbs in separate bowls

Step 4: Cook on each side about 3-5 minutes, until the bread crumbs are golden brown and chicken is cooked through. Repeat with all chicken.

Step 5: Slice the fried chicken into strips and serve with the curry gravy and steamed white rice.

chicken katsu curry with brown curry gravy and white rice

How to Make Japanese Curry Sauce

Step 1: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the onion until soft.

Step 2: Add the potatoes, carrots, water, stock and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until vegetables can be easily pierced with a fork.

carrots, potatoes and onions in liquid in a pan

Step 3: Add the curry roux, salt and mirin and bring to a boil.

liquid with vegetables and curry paste in a saute pan

Step 4: Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until the gravy has thickened. Add additional salt to taste if desired.

curry gravy with carrots and potatoes in a pan

**Try serving your Chicken Katsu with this chicken yakitori and be sure to satisfy that sweet tooth with this Japanese cheesecake.

Expert Tips

If the oil starts to smoke, add additional oil to the pot and reduce the heat slightly;
If the curry is too thin, continue simmering, stirring periodically until desired consistency is reached;
Chicken breast can be substituted for chicken thighs.
If you're using homemade curry roux, I suggest adding 1 tablespoon of coconut sugar to the curry sauce for a little extra sweetness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is katsu curry made of?

Katsu curry is made with Japanese curry paste, onion, potato, carrot, stock, and rice wine. It is often served with fried chicken strips, beef or pork.

Why is is called katsu curry?

Katsu is typically a meat served with a curry sauce. It is often served over a bed of steamed rice.

Can you make chicken katsu in advance?

The curry sauce can be made in advance, but I would not recommend making the chicken cutlets in advance as they will get soggy. Store the curry sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days in the fridge over 3 months in the freezer.

Can you freeze katsu curry?

You can freeze the curry sauce for up to 3 months in a freezer safe container. I do not recommend freezing the fried chicken as it will be soggy when reheated.

How do I reheat chicken katsu?

It can be reheated in the microwave or on the stove top. Stir it from time to time to ensure it is heated through.

All the Curries!!

For those of you that just can't get enough curry (welcome to the club), here are some other great curry recipes:

Did you make this recipe? Rate the recipe and leave me a comment to let me know how it turned out!

This recipe was originally posted in January 2018. It has been updated for content and photos.