These chicken katsu tacos are easy to whip up in 30 minutes and are packed with flavor. You’ll love the crispy chicken paired with the tangy Tonkatsu sauce and crunchy cabbage slaw.
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
30 minutes
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
Chicken Katsu
2 cups vegetable oil (480 mL), for frying
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
2 cups panko bread crumbs (230 g)
3 large eggs, beaten
1 cup all purpose flour (125 g)
Tonkatsu Sauce
¼ cup ketchup (60 g)
2 teaspoons sugar
¼ cup worcestershire sauce (65 g)
Cabbage Slaw
½ green cabbage, thinly sliced
½ cup mayonnaise (120 g)
1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
For Serving
8 small flour tortillas
sesame seed
scallion, thinly sliced
fresh cilantro leaf
Lime wedge
How to Make It
1. Step
Make the chicken: Fill a heavy-bottomed, high-sided skillet with about ½ inch (1 ¼ cm) of vegetable oil. Heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 350°F (180°C).
2. Step
Place the chicken thighs on a cutting board and cover with plastic wrap. Pound the chicken with the flat side of a meat tenderizer until all of the thighs are between ¼ in (6 ml) and ⅓ inch (8 ml) thick.
3. Step
On the cutting board, season the flattened chicken on both sides with the salt.
4. Step
Add the panko, eggs, and flour to 3 separate shallow bowls.
5. Step
Coat each piece of chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess, then in the egg, then in the panko. Gently press the panko into the chicken to ensure a thick, even coating.
6. Step
Working in batches, carefully fry the chicken in the hot oil for about 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Set on paper towels to drain and immediately season lightly with salt.
7. Step
Make the tonkatsu sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the ketchup, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Set aside.
8. Step
Make the cabbage slaw: In a medium bowl, toss the cabbage, mayonnaise, vinegar, and salt until well coated. Season with additional salt if needed. Set aside.
9. Step
Wrap the tortillas in a damp kitchen towel and microwave for 30 seconds.
10. Step
Slice the chicken thighs into ⅓-inch (8 ml) thick pieces. Place about half of a thigh worth of meat onto a flour tortilla. Top with about ¼ cup (25 G) of cabbage slaw, a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce, sesame seeds, scallions, and cilantro. Repeat with remaining chicken to make 8 tacos total. Serve with lime wedges alongside.
