Fried Chicken Recipe
Fried chicken may have originated outside Japan, but it has become immensely popular there—thanks largely to the American fast-food giant Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). Unlike Japanese Karaage, which has a lighter, bite-sized coating, American-style fried chicken is known for its thick, crunchy crust. As Christmas approaches, fried chicken suddenly goes into high demand across Japan, with long lines forming at KFC locations nationwide. This unique phenomenon has become a beloved part of Japanese Christmas culture, blending imported flavors with local traditions.
What’s Fried Chicken and Christmas in Japan?
The connection between KFC and Christmas has a particularly interesting history in Japan, shaped by the country’s unique approach to Christmas celebrations. By the early 1960s, Christmas in Japan had already become more of a commercial and social event than a religious one. Around that time, the idea that eating chicken was a Western Christmas tradition—especially in the United States—began to spread.
As a result, many local chicken butcher shops in Japan started selling Teriyaki Chicken Legs for Christmas, alongside their usual Yakitori skewered chicken. Recognizing this growing trend, KFC launched its famous “Christmas is Kentucky” campaign in the mid-1970s. The campaign successfully created the impression that enjoying KFC fried chicken was a Christmas custom. Over time, this idea took hold, and it became common for many households to enjoy KFC chicken on Christmas Eve. Today, this unique tradition is firmly established, making KFC a Christmas staple for many people in Japan.
While KFC’s fried chicken is available around the world, making homemade fried chicken can add a special touch to the holiday season. There’s something especially satisfying about enjoying freshly deep-fried chicken at home. Although eating fried chicken for Christmas may sound unusual to some, it has become a quirky yet authentic part of Japanese culture. We invite you to enjoy this unique tradition and savor our fried chicken during the holidays.
Tips and substitutions for Fried Chicken
Although we love the results of our version of fried chicken, feel free to customize it to your taste.
- Options for chicken parts – Drumsticks are the most popular choice for Japanese-style fried chicken, but you can use any cut you like, such as thighs or breast meat. The chicken can be fried whole or cut into smaller pieces, depending on how you plan to serve and enjoy it.
- Options for spices – The spice blend here is just a starting point, so adjust both the types and amounts to suit your preference. For a more savory flavor, try adding onion powder, or sprinkle in some cayenne pepper if you’d like a little heat.
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Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks
Dry Rub
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground mustard
- 1/2 tsp ground smoked paprika
Crust
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup corn starch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Mix all the dry rub ingredients in a small bowl. Pat the chicken surface dry with a paper towel and coat the chicken with the dry rub seasoning. Let it sit for 45 minutes to 1 hour at room temperature.
- Mix egg and water in a small bowl. In another bowl, combine the remaining crust ingredients. Coat the chicken with the egg mixture and then the flour mixture. Pat to remove excess flour from the chicken.
- Heat the deep-frying oil to 350°F and cook the chicken, turning it a few times until the internal temperature reaches 175°F, which should take about 15 minutes.
