This light and crispy Chicken Tempura features thinly sliced chicken breast coated in a delicate soda water batter, then fried to golden perfection. A quick and satisfying Japanese-inspired dish.
1poundbonelessskinless chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
3tablespoonssoy sauce
½teaspoonsalt
½teaspoonground black pepper
1cupvegetable oilfor frying
For the Batter:
¾cupall-purpose flour
¼cupcornstarch
¼teaspoonbaking soda
1large eggwhisked
1cupcold soda water or sparkling water
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Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
Place the sliced chicken breast in a large bowl. Add the soy sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated in the seasoning. Set aside while preparing the batter.
Prepare the Batter:
In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking soda. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the whisked egg and cold soda water into the well. Gently mix until the batter is just combined. It is acceptable for the mixture to remain slightly lumpy.
Heat the Oil:
In a deep skillet, wok, or Dutch oven, pour the vegetable oil to a depth suitable for shallow frying. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C). If a drop of batter sizzles immediately upon contact, the oil is ready.
Fry the Chicken:
Dip each strip of seasoned chicken into the batter, ensuring it is fully coated. Allow any excess batter to drip off before carefully placing each piece into the hot oil. Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Cook Until Golden:
Fry the chicken pieces for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is fully cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil.
Serve Immediately:
Serve the Chicken Tempura hot, accompanied by a dipping sauce of choice or as part of a larger meal.
Notes
To make this recipe gluten-free:
Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend suitable for frying.
Use tamari or a certified gluten-free soy sauce in place of traditional soy sauce.
Confirm that the cornstarch and baking soda are processed in a gluten-free facility.