Katsudon
Crispy chicken cutlets fried to perfection, then simmered in a sweet and savory onion broth with soft, jammy eggs — this katsudon is comfort food at its best. The sauce soaks into the rice while the chicken stays crispy on top, giving you the perfect mix of textures in every bite. It’s cozy, flavorful, and the kind of meal that makes you slow down and enjoy every spoonful.
Servings servings
Ingredients
CHICKEN
- 1 large chicken breast, cut into 2 thinner filets, or 3 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
WET BATTER
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
DRY COATING
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
DRY BREADING
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
CARAMELIZED ONIONS
- 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
- Neutral oil, for drizzling
- Splash of water, to deglaze
BROTH
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
FOR SERVING
- 2 large eggs
- Cooked jasmine rice
- Sliced green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. If using chicken breast, cut it into two thinner filets and pound to even thinness for faster, crispier frying.
- Set up the breading station: In one bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt, and pepper. In a third, mix the panko breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Make the broth: In a small bowl, whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, cornstarch, and brown sugar until smooth. Set aside.
- Caramelize the onions: Heat a pan over medium-low heat and drizzle in a little neutral oil. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly until golden and soft, stirring occasionally. Add splashes of water as needed to deglaze and help them caramelize evenly. Once sweet and jammy, turn off the heat and set aside.
- Preheat the oil: In a large skillet, heat about an inch of neutral oil over medium heat until hot and shimmering.
- Bread the chicken: Dredge each piece first in the flour, then in the egg mixture, and finally coat generously with panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly so they stick well. To make the process less messy, keep one hand for the dry ingredients and the other for the wet.
- Fry the chicken: Fry until golden and crispy on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side depending on thickness. Transfer to a wire rack to rest while you prepare the final step.
- Simmer the onions and sauce: In a separate pan — or in the same one you used to caramelize the onions — add a single portion of the caramelized onions along with some of the broth mixture. Let it come to a gentle simmer over medium heat. You can also cook two portions side by side in a large pan to be more efficient.
- Add the chicken and egg: Slice one crispy chicken cutlet into strips and place it in the center of the pan over the onions and broth. Whisk one egg in a small bowl and pour it evenly over the top. Let it cook over medium heat until the egg bubbles and sets softly around the chicken, about 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat this step for the second portion.
- Assemble and serve: Scoop warm jasmine rice into bowls, then carefully slide the chicken, egg, and onions on top. Spoon any leftover broth from the pan over the rice and finish with sliced green onions. Serve immediately.
Notes
Q: How do I make it lighter?
A: Try air frying the chicken at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure to spray both sides of the breaded chicken lightly with oil before cooking — it helps it crisp up beautifully without deep frying. Q: What kind of rice works best?
A: Jasmine rice works great, but Japanese short-grain rice will give it that authentic katsudon feel. Q: Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes — you can prepare the broth and caramelized onions in advance and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat before finishing the dish. Q: How can I serve more people?
A: To serve about 4 people, simply double the broth, onions, and chicken. You can cook two portions at a time in a large pan or prepare them in batches before assembling everything over rice.
A: Try air frying the chicken at 400°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Make sure to spray both sides of the breaded chicken lightly with oil before cooking — it helps it crisp up beautifully without deep frying. Q: What kind of rice works best?
A: Jasmine rice works great, but Japanese short-grain rice will give it that authentic katsudon feel. Q: Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
A: Yes — you can prepare the broth and caramelized onions in advance and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat before finishing the dish. Q: How can I serve more people?
A: To serve about 4 people, simply double the broth, onions, and chicken. You can cook two portions at a time in a large pan or prepare them in batches before assembling everything over rice.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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