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+ servings
Close-up of crunchy battered pieces arranged on a plate with garnish
5 from 1 vote

Chicken Tempura

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
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.
4 Servings

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup vegetable oil for frying

For the Batter:

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 large egg whisked
  • 1 cup cold soda water or sparkling water

Instructions
 

Prepare the Chicken:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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:

  1. 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.
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