Spicy Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken): Inspired by My Hero Academia - Gluten Free With Me (2024)

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs chopped into small chunks about 1-inch
• 5 garlic cloves minced
• 1 inch knob of ginger grated
• 1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp chili oil
• 1 Tbsp sake/chinese cooking wine
• 1/2 Tbsp mirin
• 2 tsp chinese chili powder mine had some flakes mixed in that was really nice
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp Shichimi togarashi

For Frying:

• 1 cup Potato starch you may need to add more depending on how wet your chicken was after marinating.
• 2 tsp chinese chili powder
• 1/2 cup neutral flavoured oil you may need more depending on the size of your pan
• salt
• Note: you can adjust the amount of chili powder to your liking.

For the Sauce:

• 2 Tbsp chinese chili powder
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1 knob ginger minced
• 2 Tbsp Gochujang
• 1 Tbsp sake/chinese cooking wine
• Note: you can adjust the amount of chili powder to your liking.
• Optional but highly recommended toppings:
• Toasted sesame seeds
• Sliced green onion

• Combine the chicken with all of the marinade ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, I let it marinate overnight.

• In a shallow bowl or casserole, mix potato starch with chili powder together.

• Coat your pieces of chicken in the potato starch. Shake to remove excess starch. Set aside on a tray while you coat them all.

• Line a large plate or tray with paper towel on it and set aside.

• In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat until hot. Add chicken, in batches, and evenly spread the chicken across the pan. (I use chopsticks to handle the chicken since I find it easier to maneuver).

• Let the chicken cook for about 2-3 minutes, until the bottom is lightly golden brown. Flip the chicken and cook for another 2-3 minutes, until golden as well.

• When golden and beautiful, remove the chicken from the pan and set on the paper towel lined plate, to remove excess oil. Lightly season with salt

• Repeat this process with the rest of your chicken.

• In a small saucepan, mix together all of the ingredients for the sauce, bring to a boil.

• Pour the sauce over the chicken and mix together to evenly coat the chicken. Be careful it’s hot!

• Note: I like to put the chicken and sauce into a container, close it and shake it up to coat in sauce!

• Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and green onion, serve and enjoy!

Congratulations to Monkey D. Luffy for winning the