Chicken Katsu is one dominant fixture in Japanese cuisine and fame, cherished with lots of love from people all over the world. Lightly coated with a crunchy crust on its exterior and juicy meat inside, this delicacy is a go-to dish that could be adapted for an informal lunch or a candlelit dinner. However, for this to be achieved, the choice of side dish has to be perfect. https://www.corriecooks.com/what-to-serve-with-chicken-katsu/ We take a look at everything you can learn about Chicken Katsu, and what the wonderful dish is served with.
What is Chicken Katsu?
Japanese-style “Chicken Katsu” is just that—a breaded and fried chicken cutlet. The preparation includes coating chicken breasts in flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs before frying to a perfect golden-brown. The light, crispy panko breadcrumbs are a major part of the crunchy, juicy feel of Chicken Katsu. Thus, this ends up as the kind of dish that is crunchy on the outside but still juicy and delicious inside.
Combined with a thick, savory-sweet Tonkatsu sauce for contrasting the flavor, the chicken is usually drizzled with sauce or served on the side to dip into. As much as Chicken Katsu in itself is exciting to the taste buds, it’s far more about matching the dish with just the right side dishes that turns an otherwise simple meal into a culinary delight.
What to serve with Chicken Katsu
Adding other complementary side dishes can help bring out the maximum flavor and give you a well-rounded meal. Looking for what goes with Chicken Katsu? Well, here you go:
- Steamed Rice. The all-time favorite classic pair is that it is a perfect ground to pick up the delicious tonkatsu sauce. The simplicity creates more richness and amazing flavor of Chicken Katsu and makes it a staple side dish.
- Miso Soup: This hot bowl of miso soup just gives an element of comfort to the meal along with Chicken Katsu. Miso broth, along with tofu and seaweed, brings a comforting difference to the taste of the crunchy tenderness from Chicken Katsu.
- Japanese Pickles (Tsukemono): These tarts, slightly sweet pickles serve to cleanse the palate for a dining effect, adding a sure freshness with a crunchy texture to your meal.
- Cabbage Salad: This refers to the shredded cabbage that usually comes with Chicken Katsu, sometimes lightly drizzled with a sesame dressing or just tonkatsu sauce. Made this way, it’s a nice, crispy addition to the meal.
- Potato Salad: This Japanese version is made so much creamier and even a little sweeter than most Western-style potato salads, and it makes the perfect thing to serve with Chicken Katsu. It really contrasts the crunch of the chicken nicely with that misty, silky potato salad.
- Edamame: Lightly salted edamame beans make a deliciously healthy side that pairs with the richness in flavor from the chicken katsu. They make the perfect snack between bites of the main dish.
- Udon or Soba Noodles: If you want something a bit heavier as a side dish, try serving your chicken katsu with udon or soba noodles. These can be served either hot or cold, along with a light broth or quite traditionally even with dipping sauce for something more complete.
- Tempura Vegetables: Tempura vegetables are a crunchy guilty pleasure. They pair well with the texture of Chicken Katsu. There are quite many tempura vegetables: sweet potatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, and others that add color and flavor to the plate.
To get more inspiration on what to accompany Chicken Katsu with, see this detailed guideline here. In this resource, you will get lots of ideas for side dishes and accompaniments that will take your Chicken Katsu to another level, making you treat friends and family to a great dining experience.
How to Make Chicken Katsu at Home
Creating Chicken Katsu at home is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 beaten egg
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Oil
- Tonkatsu sauce
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the breasts with the salt and pepper. Lightly pound them to make them an even thickness.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge in the flour, egg, then panko bread crumb.
- Cooking the Chicken Fry: Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the chicken until golden brown and cooked through. This takes about 3-4 minutes per side.
- To serve: Cut into strips and serve with Tonkatsu sauce with sides of your choice.
Conclusion
Chicken Katsu combines something that is both simple and flavor-packed. Whether you see it as a full-on main course or, otherwise, looking to surprise your guests with a complete Japanese meal, what you well pair with Chicken Katsu makes a world of difference. That can vary from steamed rice and miso soup to more adventures, like tempura vegetables and soba noodles, the options being limitless. Please visit this page https://www.corriecooks.com/what-to-serve-with-chicken-katsu/ for more ideas on perfect pairings that give expert insight into your Chicken Katsu moments.
