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Tempura chicken is a delicious Japanese dish that features lightly battered and deep-fried pieces of chicken. The batter gives the chicken a crispy and light texture. Here’s a simple and tasty tempura chicken recipe for you:

Ingredients:

For the chicken:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the tempura batter:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup ice-cold water
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten

For frying:

  • Vegetable oil, for deep frying

For serving (optional):

  • Tempura dipping sauce (tentsuyu)
  • Grated daikon radish
  • Grated ginger
  • Soy sauce

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Chicken:
    • Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Set aside while you prepare the batter.
  2. Prepare the Batter:
    • In a bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and baking powder.
    • Add the ice-cold water to the dry ingredients and mix gently. Don’t overmix; a few lumps are okay.
    • Stir in the lightly beaten egg and mix until just combined. The batter should be somewhat thin and lumpy. Place the batter in the refrigerator while you heat the oil.
  3. Heat the Oil:
    • In a deep pot or a deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to around 350-375°F (175-190°C).
  4. Coat and Fry the Chicken:
    • Take the chicken pieces and dip them into the chilled tempura batter, allowing any excess batter to drip off.
    • Carefully place the battered chicken pieces into the hot oil, a few at a time, to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry until they turn golden brown and crispy, usually around 3-4 minutes per batch.
    • Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried chicken from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Repeat the process until all chicken pieces are fried.
  5. Serve:
    • Serve the tempura chicken while they’re still hot. You can serve them with a dipping sauce such as tentsuyu, which is a mixture of dashi (Japanese broth), soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), and sugar. Garnish with spring onions, chillies, and coriander. You can also offer grated daikon radish and grated ginger on the side for extra flavor.

Enjoy your homemade tempura chicken!

Note: Be cautious when working with hot oil. Always use appropriate safety measures and equipment when deep frying.