Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into 1 ½-inch pieces)
- ¼ cup mochiko flour (sweet rice flour)
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional, adds deeper umami)
- 1 tbsp sugar (or honey for a slightly different sweetness)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
For Frying:
- 1 cup vegetable oil (for deep frying)
For Garnish & Serving:
- 2 green onions, sliced thin
- Sesame seeds (optional)
- Lemon wedges
- Steamed rice or Hawaiian macaroni salad
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- Prepare the chicken: Cut boneless, skinless chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces (~1 ½ inches).
- Mix the marinade: In a large bowl, combine soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil, eggs, salt, and black pepper. Whisk well to blend the flavors.
- Coat the chicken: Add mochiko flour and cornstarch to the marinade. Mix until the chicken pieces are fully coated in the thick batter.
- Marinate: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (ideally overnight) to allow the flavors to absorb.
Step 2: Heat the Oil
- Use a deep frying pan or Dutch oven and heat 1 inch of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- Test the oil: Drop a small bit of batter into the oil—if it sizzles immediately and floats, the oil is ready.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
- Shake off excess batter: Take each chicken piece out of the marinade and let excess batter drip off.
- Fry in batches: Add the chicken to the hot oil, frying 4–5 pieces at a time. Cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain excess oil: Remove chicken and place it on a wire rack or paper towels to keep it crispy.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!
- Garnish with sliced green onions, sesame seeds, and lemon wedges.
- Serve immediately with steamed rice, macaroni salad, or dipping sauces like spicy mayo or tonkatsu sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Marinating Time: 4–12 hours
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6–8 pieces of fried chicken
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g