If you love crispy, saucy, umami-packed chicken, this Osaka chicken recipe is about to be your new favourite! Think of it as Japanese-style fried chicken tossed in a rich, sticky Osaka sauce—ready in just 30 minutes with minimal effort.
Using store-bought teriyaki sauce makes this recipe super easy, without sacrificing that bold Osaka-style street food flavour. Pair it with steamed rice, a simple side dish, and you’ve got a restaurant-quality meal without the fuss.
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Why You’ll Love This Chicken Osaka Recipe
Crispy & Juicy – Light, crispy coating with tender chicken inside. Minimal Ingredients – Just a few pantry staples + teriyaki sauce! Quick & Easy – No deep-frying required, and it’s ready in under 30 minutes. Better Than Takeaway – Bold Japanese-inspired flavours!
Ingredients for Osaka Chicken Recipe
Fried chicken ingredients
- Chicken thighs, cut in bite-sized pieces
- Corn starch
- Garlic powder
- White pepper
- Oil for frying
Sauce ingredients
- Teriyaki stir-fry sauce (Kikkoman, Lee Kum Kee, or your favourite brand)
- Garlic
- Fresh ginger
Garnish ingredients
- Sesame seeds
- Green onions
- Chilli flakes (for a little heat)
See recipe card for quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Coat the Chicken
- Mix cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, and pepper until combined.
- Toss the chicken pieces in the mixture until fully coated, ensuring an even layer.
Fry the Chicken
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry the chicken in small batches until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain.
Make the Glaze
- In a frying pan over medium heat, add teriyaki sauce, garlic, and fresh ginger and stir.
- Let it simmer until fragrant. If the sauce is too thin, stir in the cornstarch.
Toss & Serve
- Add the fried chicken to pan and pour sauce over it, tossing until fully coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds, green onion, and chilli flakes.
Hint: For an extra flavour boost, serve it with Karashi Mayo (spicy Japanese mustard mayo)! Recipe coming soon.
Cornflour vs Cornstarch
In Australia, cornflour refers to the fine white starch used for thickening and crisping—identical to cornstarch in the US.
How to serve this Osaka Chicken
- With Steamed Rice – The classic combo, perfect for soaking up that glaze.
- With a Crunchy Salad – Shredded cabbage, cucumbers, or a quick Asian slaw with ginger dressing.
- In a Wrap or Bao Bun – For a fun street-food twist!
- With Karashi Mayo – A spicy Japanese mustard seed sauce that pairs perfectly with crispy chicken. (Stay tuned for the Karashi Mayo Dip recipe coming soon!)
- Serve with a drizzle of fresh lemon juice and lemon slices for a bright, zesty contrast to the rich teriyaki glaze.
Recipe Notes for Osaka fried chicken
Want to make your own teriyaki glaze?
Instead of store-bought teriyaki sauce, combine:
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce + 1 tablespoon honey + 1 tablespoon white vinegar + 1 teaspoon oyster sauce + 1 teaspoon sugar
- Simmer and thicken with corn starch for a homemade glaze!
Air Fryer Method:
- Lightly spray the coated chicken with oil and air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Chicken Breast Option:
- You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs, but thighs stay juicier and more flavourful.
FAQ about this recipe
Yes! Keep the chicken and sauce separate, then reheat and toss together before serving. It won’t be as crispy but still tasty.
Look for a thicker teriyaki sauce I used Lee Kum Kee Teriyaki stir fry sauce. If yours is too runny, just thicken it with corn starch.
You can! Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. It won’t be as crispy but still tasty.
This Osaka chicken a great recipe and the perfect quick, flavour-packed meal—crispy, sticky, and SO satisfying. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a fun weekend meal, this karaage chicken is guaranteed to be a hit.
Easy Chicken Osaka recipe with teriyaki sauce
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 500g boneless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup cornstarch (or potato starch for extra crispiness)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp white pepper (or black pepper)
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)
For the Glaze
- ½ cup teriyaki stir-fry sauce (Kikkoman, Lee Kum Kee, or your favourite brand)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1 tsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water (to thicken, if needed)
For Garnish (Optional but Recommended!)
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- ½ tsp chilli flakes (for a little heat)
Instructions
Coat the Chicken
- In a small bowl, mix cornstarch, salt, garlic powder, and pepper until combined. Toss the chicken pieces in the mixture until fully coated, ensuring an even layer. Shake off any excess to avoid clumping.
Fry the Chicken
- Heat about 2 inches of oil in a frying pan or large skillet over medium-high heat (175°C/350°F). Fry the chicken in batches for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a wire rack or paper towel.
💡 Shortcut: Want to skip frying? Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes, shaking halfway!
Make the Glaze
- In a pan over medium heat, add teriyaki sauce, garlic, and fresh ginger and stir well. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant. If the sauce is too thin, stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened.
Toss & Serve
- Add the fried chicken to the pan and pour sauce over it, tossing until fully coated. Garnish with sesame seeds, green onions, and chilli flakes for extra flavour. Serve immediately over steamed rice or with a fresh salad.
Notes
Want to make your own teriyaki glaze?
Instead of store-bought teriyaki sauce, combine:
- 2 tablespoon soy sauce + 1 tablespoon honey + 1 tablespoon white vinegar + 1 teaspoon oyster sauce + 1 teaspoon sugar
- Simmer and thicken with corn starch for a homemade glaze!
Air Fryer Method:
- Lightly spray the coated chicken with oil and air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 15 minutes, shaking halfway through.
Chicken Breast Option:
- You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs, but thighs stay juicier and more flavourful.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian
Related
After making the Honey Garlic Ginger Chicken recipe countless times, I knew I needed more dishes like it! So if you love that one as much as I do, you’re going to love this Osaka Chicken too!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
If you make this, tag me on TikTok or Instagram so I can see your creations!
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