Japanese Chicken Katsu Curry
Instructions
- 1
Butterfly the chicken breasts and pound them to about 1cm thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- 2
Set up breading station with three shallow dishes: flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and panko breadcrumbs in the third.
- 3
Dredge each chicken piece in flour, then egg, then coat thoroughly with panko, pressing gently to adhere.
- 4
For the curry sauce, dice onion, carrots, and potatoes into 1cm cubes.
- 5
In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced vegetables and sauté for 5 minutes until onions are translucent.
- 6
Add curry powder and flour to the vegetables, stirring constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste.
- 7
Gradually add chicken stock while stirring to prevent lumps. Add soy sauce, honey, and grated apple.
- 8
Bring curry to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until vegetables are tender and sauce has thickened.
- 9
While curry simmers, heat oil in a large skillet to 170°C (340°F). Test with a panko crumb - it should sizzle immediately.
- 10
Fry breaded chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- 11
Transfer cooked katsu to a wire rack and let rest for 2 minutes before slicing into strips.
- 12
Serve sliced katsu over rice and generously ladle curry sauce alongside or over the top.
Chef's Note
"The secret to authentic katsu curry is in the roux - take your time cooking the flour and curry powder together to develop deep flavor. For extra crispy katsu, double-bread the chicken by repeating the egg and panko steps."