How to Make Authentic Chicken Tempura in Easy Steps
Published: 17 May 2025
Chicken Tempura is a flavorful dish that brings together tender chicken and the light, crispy goodness of tempura batter. Inspired by Asian cooking styles, this dish is perfect for those who love crispy and savory meals. The chicken is coated in a delicate tempura batter recipe, made with simple ingredients like flour, cold water, and baking powder, then fried to golden perfection.
Served with dipping sauces like soy or sweet chili, it offers a delightful balance of texture and taste. Whether enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main course, crispy coated chicken is a hit for any occasion. This Asian-inspired dish is both versatile and crowd-pleasing.
What is Chicken Tempura?
Chicken tempura is a popular Japanese dish where chicken tenders or pieces are coated in a flour-based batter, then deep-fried until golden brown and crispy. Unlike fried chicken, the batter in tempura is lighter and airier, making the texture crispier without being too heavy. The key difference between tempura and regular fried chicken is in the batter. Tempura batter uses a combination of flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and soda water to create that signature light texture.
Tempura was introduced to Japan by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century. It has since become a staple of Japanese food, often served with vegetables or other meats. But chicken tempura, with its tender chicken tempura inside, has its own special place in the hearts of food lovers around the world.
Why I Love Chicken Tempura
I can’t think of a better dish to start a meal with than chicken tempura. It’s a family favorite recipe that is loved for its simple yet full of flavor profile. The crispy tempura shell pairs perfectly with the juicy chicken tenders inside, creating a delightful contrast in textures. Every bite delivers that perfect crunch with each layer, while the chicken stays tender and well-seasoned. What makes it even better is that it’s a quick and easy meal that works for both casual dinners and more elaborate family gatherings.
For me, chicken tempura is more than just about the food itself. It’s about the experience. There’s something about battered chicken coated in that crisp, golden crispy coating that makes it so addictive. When paired with a simple tempura dipping sauce, it’s the ultimate comfort food. And what’s great is that once you’ve got the hang of it, you can start experimenting with different meats and vegetables in the same batter!
Essential Ingredients for Chicken Tempura
The ingredients for chicken tempura are easy to find and won’t break the bank. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Chicken tenders – I recommend using chicken tenders for an easy, quick cook. You can also use skinless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs, cut into strips.
- Soy sauce – A little bit of soy sauce will keep the chicken juicy and help season it.
- Cornstarch – The cornstarch in tempura adds that crispiness we love and gives the batter its fluffy tempura texture.
- Flour – All-purpose flour or cake flour works best for a delicate tempura batter.
- Soda water – This is my secret weapon! The bubbles from the soda water create a light, airy, and crispy tempura without too much oil.
- Baking soda – This ingredient helps stabilize the batter and gives it a nice crunch.
- Oil – Choose an oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable oil or canola oil, for frying.
How to Make Chicken Tempura
Making chicken tempura recipe at home is easier than you might think. First, season your chicken tenders with soy sauce and a pinch of salt and pepper. This will ensure that the chicken is well-seasoned before frying. In another bowl, mix your dry ingredients—flour, cornstarch, and baking soda. Create a well in the center and add soda water and an egg. Stir gently to combine until you have a slightly lumpy batter.
Once your batter is ready, heat the oil in a deep pot to around 350°F. Dip the seasoned chicken strips into the batter and carefully place them in the hot oil. Fry for about 2-3 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Don’t overcrowd the pan to maintain the perfect temperature for frying. After frying, place the chicken on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve with a side of tempura dipping sauce for that authentic Japanese experience.
Arman’s Recipe Tips for Perfect Tempura
To get the best crispy tempura, there are a few tricks you need to know. First, don’t overmix the batter! The more you mix, the more gluten forms, which makes the batter thicker and less crispy. A few lumps are okay, and they’ll help you achieve the fluffy tempura texture.
Next, keep the batter as cold as possible. If it sits too long at room temperature, it can become too thick. The key to golden crispy chicken is fresh batter. Also, keep an eye on your oil temperature. Heat the oil to around 350°F using an instant-read thermometer for perfect frying. Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment. While fried meat and vegetables are traditional, you can always try different fillings!
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Chicken Tempura
One common mistake is letting your batter sit too long. Fresh batter makes the best tempura, and waiting causes the gluten to develop, which can ruin the texture. Another mistake is frying too many pieces at once. If the oil cools down, your battered chicken won’t crisp up as it should. Always work in small batches. Finally, remember to drain excess oil by placing the tempura on a paper towel-lined plate. This prevents it from becoming too greasy and losing its addictively crunchy texture.
Storage
Chicken tempura is always best served fresh, but if you have leftovers, don’t worry! To store your crispy tempura, place it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat tempura, use an air fryer tempura method for the best result. Avoid microwaving it as this can make the tempura soggy. If you want to keep it for a longer period, freeze the fried chicken in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
More Japanese-Inspired Appetizers & Sides
If you love chicken tempura, you should definitely try other Japanese-inspired side dishes. Some favorites include instant pot sushi rice, harumaki (spring rolls), or tuna tartare. These dishes pair wonderfully with tempura and will transport you straight to a Japanese restaurant.
Explore More Tempura Variations
Tempura doesn’t have to stop at chicken. You can experiment with different meats like shrimp tempura or even tempura sushi. For a vegetarian option, try tempura vegetables like zucchini or sweet potato. These variations allow you to explore the full range of tempura frying technique and create new, exciting dishes with that signature crisp.
FAQs
1. What is tempura?
Tempura is a Japanese cooking style where foods like vegetables, seafood, or chicken are dipped in a light batter made of flour and cold water, then deep-fried until golden and crispy. This technique creates a delicate, airy coating that’s less heavy than traditional frying methods.
2: Why is my tempura not crispy?
If your tempura isn’t crispy, the oil temperature is likely too low. Make sure to fry at the right temperature of 350°F.
3: What is tempura sushi?
Tempura Sushi is a fusion dish that combines sushi with crispy tempura. It typically features tempura-battered and fried ingredients like shrimp or vegetables, rolled with rice and seaweed. The crispy texture adds a delightful crunch to traditional sushi flavors.
4: Is chicken tempura healthier than regular fried chicken?
Tempura uses less oil than traditional deep-fried chicken, making it a healthier fried chicken option, though still best enjoyed in moderation.
5. What is the difference between fried and tempura?
Fried foods often use heavier batters or breadcrumbs, while tempura uses a lighter, airy batter that produces a delicate and crispy texture.
6. What is tempura made of?
Tempura is made with a batter of flour, ice-cold water, and sometimes baking powder or cornstarch, which creates a thin, crisp coating for frying.
7. Is tempura chicken healthy?
Tempura chicken can be enjoyed in moderation, but its deep-frying process adds calories and fat, making it less healthy compared to grilled or baked options.
8. What is shrimp tempura?
Shrimp Tempura is a classic Japanese dish made by coating fresh shrimp in a light, airy tempura batter and deep-frying them to golden perfection. It’s known for its crisp texture and is often served with dipping sauces or as a topping for sushi rolls.
9. Can I make tempura with vegetables?
Absolutely! You can use vegetables like broccoli or sweet potatoes in your tempura batter for a fun variation.
Conclusion
Chicken tempura is a simple, yet satisfying dish that can easily be made at home. With the right technique and a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy crispy tempura just like in your favorite Japanese restaurant. Whether you’re frying it traditionally or opting for air fryer tempura, this dish is sure to be a hit. Golden crispy chicken and the fluffy tempura texture make it a family favorite recipe that will leave everyone craving more.
- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
- Be Respectful
- Stay Relevant
- Stay Positive
- True Feedback
- Encourage Discussion
- Avoid Spamming
- No Fake News
- Don't Copy-Paste
- No Personal Attacks
