Chicken Katsu Curry Recipe (Air Fryer Method – Just 350 Calories!)

Air Fryer Chicken Katsu Curry

This chicken katsu curry recipe has been one of the most popular recipes on The Slimming Foodie blog for years – and I can totally see why. It has everything: crispy, golden chicken; a silky, warmly spiced curry sauce; and that gorgeous combination that feels like a proper treat even though it comes in at just 350 calories per serving.

Katsu curry is one of my absolute favourite restaurant picks. I love Wagamama’s version, and this recipe was developed specifically to replicate it at home – right down to the smooth, pourable sauce and that satisfying crunch on the chicken. I’ve had a chicken katsu curry recipe on the blog for years, and it remains one of the most popular recipes on the site. This is the air fryer version from my Slimming Foodie Air Fryer book, and the cornflake coating is the secret. Cornflakes crisp up beautifully in the air fryer in a way that breadcrumbs just don’t quite match, giving you that lovely golden crunch without any deep frying.

In this version from my Slimming Foodie Air Fryer book, the sauce is made on the hob while the chicken air fries – and the two come together in under an hour for a fakeaway that honestly beats the restaurant version. With 46g of protein per serving, it’s genuinely filling too. I serve it with basmati rice and edamame beans, but it’s great with whatever you have to hand.

In this post

• What is chicken katsu curry?
• Why you’ll love this recipe
• Variations and substitutions
• Serving suggestions
• Storing and reheating
• How does chicken katsu curry work on Slimming World?
• If you’re taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro
• What other fakeaway recipes could I make?
• FAQs
• Recipe

What is chicken katsu curry?

Katsu curry originates from Japan, where “katsu” refers to a breaded and fried cutlet — traditionally pork, but chicken has become by far the most popular version in the UK, largely thanks to Wagamama putting it on the menu. The sauce is mild, smooth, and warmly spiced with curry powder and garam masala – somewhere between a Japanese curry and a rich, silky gravy. It’s not fiery hot; it’s comforting and deeply savoury. This low calorie chicken katsu curry swaps the deep-fried coating for an air fryer method that gives you all the crunch with a fraction of the fat.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Just 350 calories per serving. For this you get deliciously crispy chicken and rich sauce.
• The crunch is incredible. Cornflakes in the air fryer create a gorgeous crispy coating that holds up beautifully under the sauce. It’s one of my favourite tricks from the air fryer cookbook.
• It tastes just like the real thing. The sauce is properly smooth and rich – whizzed with a stick blender until silky – and the flavour is really close to what you’d get at Wagamama.
• Packed with protein. At 46g of protein per serving, this is a really filling meal that keeps you satisfied for hours.
• Family-friendly. The sauce is mild and sweet, which makes it a real hit with children. My girls absolutely love this one.

Variations and Substitutions

• Swap the cornflakes for panko breadcrumbs. If you don’t have cornflakes, panko gives a lovely result too.
• Use chicken thigh fillets instead of breast. Chicken thighs have a little more flavour and stay even juicier in the air fryer. Just bash them flat to an even thickness before coating.
• Make it gluten-free. Use gluten-free plain flour in the sauce and check your cornflakes are gluten-free (many are, but it’s worth checking the label).
• Add more vegetables to the sauce. A handful of frozen peas or some sliced mushrooms stirred into the sauce after it’s been blended adds extra veg without changing the flavour much.
• Make it vegetarian. Swap the chicken for thick slices of firm tofu or halloumi, coat and air fry in the same way. Use vegetable stock in the sauce instead of chicken stock. If you love fakeaways, my Hoisin Chicken Recipe – The Easiest Fakeaway Wraps You’ll Ever Make is another brilliant fakeaway option.

Serving Suggestions

• Basmati rice is the classic pairing – cook it on the hob while the chicken air fries.
• Edamame beans are brilliant alongside this; they add colour, protein, and a lovely pop of freshness. You can use frozen and just microwave them.
• A simple cucumber salad – thin slices of cucumber dressed with a splash of rice vinegar and a pinch of sesame seeds – cuts through the richness of the sauce beautifully. My Thai chicken curry goes down brilliantly with a similar side if you’re after more Asian-inspired dinner ideas.
• Pickled ginger on the side, if you have it, gives an authentic Japanese-restaurant feel.

Storing and Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftover chicken (unsliced if possible) and sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce keeps really well.
• Freezer: The katsu sauce freezes brilliantly – make a double batch and freeze in portions for up to 3 months. The cornflake-coated chicken is best eaten fresh as the coating goes soft when frozen.
• Reheat: Reheat the sauce in a small saucepan over a low heat, stirring occasionally. For the chicken, pop it in the air fryer at 180°C for 5–6 minutes to restore some of the crunch, rather than microwaving it.

How does chicken katsu curry work on Slimming World?

If you’re following Slimming World, this chicken katsu curry recipe is a great option to work into your week. The chicken breasts are a Free food, and the sauce ingredients are largely Free too – onions, carrots, garlic, stock, and spices. The main source of swips is the cornflake coating (approximately 3–4 swips per portion depending on the exact amount used) and a small amount of plain flour in the sauce (approximately 1 swip per portion). As a rough guide you’re looking at around 4–5 swips per serving, but I’d always recommend checking the exact values for your specific ingredients in the Slimming World app, as brand and quantity can affect the count. Serve with rice which is a free food.

If you’re taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro

If you’re taking a GLP-1 medication such as Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, you may find your appetite is smaller than usual, which can make it harder to decide what to cook.

This chicken katsu curry is easy to portion, so you can adjust the amount depending on how hungry you feel – a smaller serving of chicken with a little sauce and rice can still make a satisfying meal. The chicken provides a good source of protein, which is often included as part of balanced meals, particularly during weight loss. Some people also find saucier dishes easier to eat than very dry foods, and the smooth katsu sauce gives this dish a softer texture.

This is general nutrition information rather than medical advice. If you have questions about your diet while taking GLP-1 medications, it’s best to speak to your GP, pharmacist or a registered dietitian.

What other chicken recipes could I make?

If you love a good fakeaway night, here are some other recipes from the site you might enjoy:

Thai chicken curry – a rich and fragrant Thai curry that uses low-fat coconut yoghurt instead of coconut milk

Chicken katsu curry – the original hob-cooked version from the blog, perfect if you want to make the whole thing on the hob instead

Hoisin Chicken Recipe – The Easiest Fakeaway Wraps You’ll Ever Make – crispy duck pancake vibes with a fraction of the effort

Peri Peri Chicken Cheddar Bake (High Protein, Low Calorie Nando’s Fakeaway) – a golden, bubbling Nando’s-inspired bake with 45g of protein per serving

Sweet & Spicy Mango Prawns – A 17-Minute Mango Prawn Recipe You’ll Love – a sticky, fruity stir-fry that comes together in under 20 minutes