Osaka Chicken Recipe: Easy and Delicious Japanese Dish

Updated On: October 14, 2025

Osaka chicken is a delightful dish that beautifully captures the heart of Japanese street food culture. Known for its crispy texture coated in a savory sauce, this recipe brings the flavors of Osaka right into your kitchen.

Whether you’re craving a quick dinner or a special meal to impress friends and family, Osaka chicken strikes the perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity. The crispy chicken bites are glazed with a rich, tangy sauce, often reminiscent of okonomiyaki flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser for all ages.

This recipe is easy to follow and uses accessible ingredients, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned cooks.

Get ready to enjoy a crunchy, flavorful, and utterly satisfying dish that pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or a fresh salad. If you love Japanese cuisine or want to try something new and exciting, this Osaka chicken recipe is your next must-make!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Osaka chicken recipe is a perfect combination of crispy, juicy, and flavorful. The chicken is coated with a light batter that fries up golden and crunchy, then tossed in a signature sauce that is sweet, tangy, and packed with umami.

It’s a fantastic way to bring Japanese street food vibes into your home kitchen without any complicated techniques.

Additionally, this recipe is versatile and quick, taking under 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s great for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or even as a party appetizer.

Plus, it uses simple pantry staples, so you probably have most of the ingredients on hand already!

Ingredients

  • 500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 cup cold water
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey or sugar
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Optional: Japanese mayonnaise and bonito flakes for garnish

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk or fork
  • Sharp knife and cutting board
  • Deep frying pan or wok
  • Slotted spoon or frying basket
  • Thermometer (optional, for oil temperature)
  • Paper towels for draining
  • Small saucepan
  • Serving plate

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Rinse and pat dry the chicken thighs. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1.5-2 inches each. Set aside.
  2. Make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg and then whisk in the cold water.
  3. Combine wet and dry ingredients: Pour the egg mixture into the dry ingredients and mix gently with a whisk or fork until just combined. Do not overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy to ensure crispiness.
  4. Coat the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the batter and toss until each piece is well coated.
  5. Heat the oil: In a deep frying pan or wok, heat vegetable oil to 170-180°C (340-360°F). Use a thermometer if available to maintain the temperature for perfect frying.
  6. Fry the chicken: Carefully place the battered chicken pieces in batches into the hot oil. Fry for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
  7. Drain the chicken: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil.
  8. Prepare the sauce: In a small saucepan, combine soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, honey, sesame oil, grated ginger, and minced garlic. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
  9. Toss chicken in sauce: Place the fried chicken in a large bowl, pour the warm sauce over it, and toss gently until every piece is coated in the glossy sauce.
  10. Serve: Transfer to a serving plate. Optionally, garnish with a drizzle of Japanese mayonnaise and a sprinkle of bonito flakes for an authentic touch.

Tips & Variations

To achieve extra crispiness, double fry the chicken by frying once until pale golden, draining for a few minutes, then frying again until deep golden brown.

You can swap chicken thighs for chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat, but thighs tend to stay juicier during frying.

For a vegetarian twist, try substituting the chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets, battering and frying them the same way.

If you like it spicy, add a teaspoon of chili paste or sriracha to the sauce mixture for a fiery kick.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrient Per Serving (approx.)
Calories 420 kcal
Protein 35 g
Fat 22 g
Carbohydrates 18 g
Sugar 5 g
Sodium 750 mg

Serving Suggestions

Osaka chicken is beautifully complemented by a bowl of steamed white rice or sticky sushi rice to balance the flavors. For a fresh contrast, serve it alongside a crisp cucumber salad or a simple green salad with a light sesame dressing.

For an extra Japanese street food experience, pair your chicken with Baby Spinach Salad Recipe Vegan: Fresh & Easy Ideas or a warm bowl of miso soup.

Looking for a heartier meal? Serve it with stir-fried vegetables or noodles.

You might also enjoy exploring other recipes like Afghan Vegetarian Pulao Recipe Easy and Delicious Guide for a unique side dish or Vegan Potato Corn Chowder Recipe for Cozy Comfort Food to add warmth to your meal.

Conclusion

Osaka chicken is a fantastic recipe to add to your culinary repertoire, combining crispy textures with a deeply flavorful sauce that is sure to satisfy. It brings the excitement of Japanese street food right to your dining table, perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.

This recipe’s simplicity and delicious result make it a winner for cooks of all skill levels.

Whether you enjoy it as a snack, appetizer, or main course, Osaka chicken’s vibrant flavors and crispy bite will keep you coming back for more. Don’t forget to experiment with garnishes and sides to create your perfect Japanese-inspired meal.

Happy cooking!

📖 Recipe Card: Osaka Chicken Recipe

Description: A flavorful Japanese-inspired dish featuring tender chicken glazed with a savory sauce. Perfect for a quick and satisfying meal.

Prep Time: PT15M
Cook Time: PT20M
Total Time: PT35M

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp mirin
  • 1 tbsp sake
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp grated ginger
  • 1 green onion, sliced
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water

Instructions

  1. Mix soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, garlic, and ginger in a bowl to make the sauce.
  2. Coat chicken pieces with cornstarch.
  3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat, then add chicken and cook until browned.
  4. Pour sauce over chicken and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.
  5. Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds.
  6. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Nutrition: Calories: 320 kcal | Protein: 28 g | Fat: 18 g | Carbs: 8 g

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Photo of author

Marta K

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