For many Americans, the mention of fried chicken conjures up large, bone-in, skin-on, chicken breasts that have been soaked in buttermilk, dredged in flour, and deep fried in oil until the exterior is crisp, and the meat is succulent. This kind of chicken is a delicious indulgence, whether from grandma’s kitchen, or delivered in a bucket. However, if you are a fan of Japanese food, “fried chicken” may mean something different—and that (equally delicious) difference can now be experienced in Trader Joe’s Chicken Karaage.

Our Chicken Karaage [ka-RAH-geh] is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, made with a Japanese-inspired recipe. It begins with bite-sized pieces of boneless, skinless, leg meat that have been tenderized and flavor-infused after marinating in rice wine (mirin), soy sauce, and white wine vinegar—along with garlic & ginger powders. Karaage is typically served with lemon wedges, so we intentionally added vinegar to this recipe to mimic that lovely, lemon-like tang you experience when you order the dish in a Japanese restaurant.

The chicken is then dredged in a mixture of wheat flour, cornmeal, and starches, and cooked in soybean oil until crisp. The finished Karaage is frozen and packaged, ready to be reheated and eaten by you! (Use an air fryer if you have one, otherwise a conventional oven will do just fine.) Stack the Chicken pieces on a plate with a garnish of lemon wedges (if you have them), next to a side of the creamy, sweet & savory dipping sauce.