Place flour, beaten eggs, and panko in separate shallow bowls. Mix in a pinch of salt and pepper (and togarashi/chilli powder if using) into the panko.
1-2 Eggs, ½ cup Plain Flour, 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs, Togarashi/Chilli Powder
Coat chicken with flour, then drench it into the beaten egg, and lastly, coat it with panko.
Brush oil over the air fryer basket. Place the breaded chicken into the basket and brush the chicken with oil. Do not overcrowd the air fryer and cook in batches if needed. Air fry for 7 minutes.
Vegetable Oil
Flip the chicken and brush with more oil if needed. Cook for another 6 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and golden & crispy.
Making the Japanese Curry
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Cook onions for about 3-5 minutes until softened.
1-2 tbsp Vegetable Oil, 1 medium Onion
Add in the carrots and potatoes. Season with salt, pepper, and chilli powder (if using). Saute for another 5 minutes.
150 g Carrots, 200 g Potatoes
Stir in chicken broth, curry blocks and water. Keep stirring until the curry blocks are dissolved and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the curry sauce has thickened.
3 blocks Japanese Curry Blocks, ¼ cup Chicken Broth, 500 ml Water
Ladle the curry sauce over cooked rice and top with chicken katsu. Serve immediately.
Japanese Rice (cooked)
Notes
Panko breadcrumbs are key to making chicken katsu. It is the reason for the extra crunch & crispiness and also for the light & non-greasy taste.
Brushing oil over both the air fryer basket and chicken help to crisp up the chicken and achieve that luscious golden colour for the chicken katsu.
Preheating the air fryer helps to ensure the chicken katsu comes out crispy and prevent chances of it turning out soggy. It only takes a few minutes to preheat and makes a difference.
Do not overcrowd the air fryer. This is to ensure that the chicken can be cooked evenly. The air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food. If you overcrowd the basket, it would hinder the airflow and result in unevenly cooked food. Cook in batches if needed.
Cooking times may differ from air fryer to air fryer, as well as depending on the size and thickness of the chicken.