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–+ servings
A close-up view of several pieces of golden-brown Tempura Chicken resting on a wire rack, perfect for takeout or enjoying fresh and crispy at home.
Make crispy, tender tempura chicken at home with a light club soda batter and flavorful marinade. Perfect for dipping, snacking, or serving with rice!

Tempura Chicken (Just Like Takeout!)

Ingredients 

For the Marinade

  • 2 chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tsp chicken bouillon powder
  • 2 tsp Chinese cooking wine or substitute with 1 tsp soy sauce

For the Dredge (Batter)

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 cup club soda or seltzer water
  • Oil for deep frying

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken

  1. Place the bite-sized chicken pieces in a medium bowl.
    A glass bowl filled with raw, diced Tempura Chicken sits on a wooden cutting board, ready to be transformed into a delicious takeout-inspired Tempura Chicken recipe.
  2. Add the chicken bouillon powder and Chinese cooking wine (or soy sauce).
    A glass bowl containing raw, cubed chicken is placed on a wooden cutting board. The chicken pieces, perfect for Tempura Chicken, are topped with various seasonings and a dark liquid marinade.
  3. Toss gently to coat all the chicken pieces evenly.
    A glass bowl filled with marinated, cubed raw Tempura Chicken sits on a wooden cutting board. A metal spoon is partially submerged in the mixture, ready for your next homemade tempura recipe.
  4. Cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 15–20 minutes. This helps to tenderize the meat and infuse flavor.

Prepare the Batter

  1. In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking soda. Mix them together well.
  2. In another small bowl, beat the egg until smooth.
  3. Add the club soda (or seltzer water) to the egg and stir gently to combine.
  4. Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the egg mixture. Stir lightly until just combined; the batter should remain a bit lumpy for the optimal tempura texture. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter light.
    A glass mixing bowl filled with smooth, pale yellow batter sits on a wooden surface—perfect for making crisp Tempura Chicken that rivals your favorite takeout. The batter appears evenly mixed, with a few small bubbles on its surface.

Heat the Oil

  1. Pour oil into a deep fryer or a deep, heavy skillet. Heat it to 350°F (175°C).
  2. To check if the oil is ready, drop a little batter into the oil – if it sizzles and rises to the top quickly, the oil is hot enough.

Fry the Chicken

  1. Working in small batches, dip each marinated chicken piece into the batter, ensuring it’s completely coated.
    A glass bowl filled with raw Tempura Chicken pieces marinating in a creamy, beige-colored sauce sits on a wooden cutting board, perfect for your next homemade Tempura Chicken Recipe.
  2. Carefully lower the battered chicken into the hot oil using a slotted spoon or tongs.
    A spoon holds a piece of dough coated in batter above a pan of hot oil, with several pieces of Tempura Chicken frying and bubbling below—perfect for recreating your favorite takeout tempura at home.
  3. Fry the chicken for about 3–4 minutes per batch. Turn the pieces halfway through frying to ensure even browning and crispiness.
  4. Once the chicken is golden and the batter has become crisp, remove it from the oil and transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
    Several pieces of golden-brown, crispy Tempura Chicken are resting on a cooling rack. With their rough, uneven surface and just-cooked look, they’re perfect for anyone craving takeout or keen to try a delicious Tempura Chicken Recipe at home.

Second Fry

  1. Crank up the heat and get the oil to 375℉.
  2. Flash fry in batches (45-60 seconds) until golden brown and crispy.
    Close-up of several pieces of golden brown, crispy tempura chicken on a cooling rack. The irregularly shaped pieces have a textured surface, perfect for takeout lovers craving a crunchy treat.

Serve Immediately

  1. Enjoy your tempura chicken while it’s hot and crispy.
  2. Serve it as an appetizer or a main dish with your favorite dipping sauce, such as a spicy mayo, sweet chili sauce, or a light soy-based dip.
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