Chicken Katsu Sliders

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Chicken Katsu Sliders are a perfect bite of crackling Panko coated cutlets topped with a savory slaw.  Fried until golden brown, these sliders are so crispy you can hear the crunch as you take a bite.

Chicken Katsu Slider

Add a topping of a fresh green cabbage slaw made with red onion, and sweet yellow bell peppers.  Feel a little zing of spice with chopped Fresno chiles.  A katsu dressing made with soy, Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup as well as garlic and ginger, adds a savory depth of flavor to play off a slather of sweet mayonnaise.

What is katsu?

Katsu is a Japanese style of preparation that involves breading a thin cutlet of pork or chicken and frying it until crisp-tender.  The meat is generally pounded thin with a meat mallet and coated with Panko bread crumbs.   The outside of the cutlet fries quickly which leaves the interior tender.  Sometimes referred to as Japanese fried chicken, katsu is a perfect ingredient for a sandwich.

What is tonkatsu sauce?

Katsu is often served with tonkatsu sauce,  a sweet/savory blend of ingredients. You can buy tonkatsu sauce in Asian markets but it is easy to make a homemade version.  A combination of soy, Worcestershire, and ketchup creates a flavorful base that is further enhanced with other sweet and savory ingredients.

Ingredients for Tonkatsu sauce

• Worcestershire sauce
• soy sauce
• ketchup
• brown sugar
• mirin
• garlic
• ginger

Making tonkatsu sauce

1. Using a Microplane, grate the garlic and ginger.
2. Add all ingredients - Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, soy, brown sugar, mirin, minced garlic, and ginger - in a medium bowl. Using a whisk, combine the ingredients into a sauce.

Cabbage Slaw

The Chicken Katsu Sliders get a savory/sweet flavor boost with the addition of fresh cabbage slaw.  It adds crunch, color, and freshness.

Cabbage Slaw Ingredients

•  green cabbage
•  yellow bell pepper
•  red onion
• Fresno chile
• sesame seeds

Making Cabbage Slaw

• Cut green cabbage, yellow bell pepper, and red onion into very thin slices. It is helpful that the slices are not too long since the slaw is for small sliders.

• Cut the Fresno chiles into small dice. This ingredient and its amount are up to you. If you prefer spicier food, add more chile. You can omit the chile if you want a mild-flavored slaw.
• Combine the vegetables in a large bowl and set aside.
• Pour the katsu sauce over the cabbage slaw. Combine the ingredients until everything is coated with the sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds into the bowl.  The slaw will somewhat wilt over time.

Chicken Katsu Ingredients

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• kosher salt
• canola oil
• slider buns
• mayonnaise (Kewpie brand is great if available)

Preparing Chicken Katsu

Divide each chicken breast into 5 pieces. Cut the pointed tip of the breast off leaving a rectangular piece of chicken. Cut this piece in half and then each half into 2. Each piece should be between 1.5 - 2 ounces. The weight will vary depending on the size of the chicken breast.

Using a meat mallet, pound each chicken piece flat. The pieces should be ¼-inch thick.

What is standard breading procedure?

Standard breading procedure is a three-step method of coating ingredients before frying.  Use three separate shallow dishes to contain three different components.

Step 1. Season the flour with kosher salt, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper.  Flour seals the food and helps the next component to adhere.

Step 2. Whisk the eggs with 2 tablespoons of water until thoroughly combined.  The floured cutlet is dipped in the egg mixture which helps the bread crumbs to adhere completely.

Step 3.   The 3rd bowl contains the Panko breadcrumbs.  The cutlet is then added to the crumbs - gently press down.  This helps the crumbs stick to the egg.  Turn the meat over and press the other side into the crumbs to make sure there is complete coverage.

Make sure you use a fork or tongs to transfer the cutlet from bowl to bowl.  If you use your hands, use one for the wet ingredients and the other for the dry ingredients so that you aren't breading your fingers.

Frying the chicken

• Add 2 cups of canola or vegetable oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Heat the oil until it is 350°. You will see the oil shimmer when it is hot enough. 
•  Slowly and carefully, add the breaded chicken to the hot oil. Use a fork or tongs for frying the chicken. Only add enough chicken to the pan to allow space between each piece. The chicken should immediately start to sizzle and fry when it is added. If it doesn't, the oil isn't hot enough.
• The oil temperature will drop a little when the chicken is added. Fry the pieces for 2 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.

• Remove the chicken to a sheet pan or a wire rack when they are completely fried.  Sprinkle with kosher salt.

• If the oil gets too hot, it will fry the breading but the chicken may not be completely cooked.  Lower the temperature.

Substitutions

• Use chicken thighs.  Cut them in half to fit the slider buns.
• You can use a jalapeno pepper for the slaw if you prefer.
• Use dijon mustard on sliders rather than mayonnaise.
• If you can't find Kewpie mayonnaise, combine ½ cup of mayonnaise with 1 tablespoon of rice wine vinegar and 1 ½ teaspoons of sugar.  A spicy mayo would also taste delicious with the chicken.
• Add your favorite crisp vegetables or even fruit to the slaw.   Use can use green scallions instead of red onion.  Add thinly sliced pear but make sure it isn't overly ripe.

Assembling  Chicken Katsu Sliders

• To assemble the sandwiches, cut each slider bun in half.
• Slather the mayonnaise on each half.  You can add a drizzle of tonkatsu sauce on the bun.
• Place a piece of fried chicken on the bottom half of the bun. Pile some cabbage slaw on top of the chicken. Add the top of the bun. Use a toothpick to secure all the pieces of the slider.

Great Party Food!

Maybe you have a Super Bowl party in the near future.  Need game day snacks?  This Chicken Katsu Sliders recipe is a sure hit.

Sliders are hard to resist -  something is appealing about mini sandwiches.  This winning combination of tastes and textures - crispy fried chicken with a fresh crunchy slaw is hard to resist.  You may find yourself indulging in a few sliders.  But don't be fooled - while small these little beauties are filling!

Need some other game day snacks?

https://tenpoundcakecompany.com/picadillo-stuffed-mini-peppers/

https://tenpoundcakecompany.com/mini-meatball-sliders/

https://tenpoundcakecompany.com/rotisserie-chicken-appetizers/